MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marines are forged during 13 weeks of recruit training, and are forever leaders of Marines.
The next step in that transformation is promotion to corporal — the first rank of noncommissioned officer.
The noncommissioned officer is the backbone of the Marine Corps, and the best way to develop the skills and expertise needed to lead Marines is to attend Corporals’ Course, according to Sgt. Maj. Luis Leiva, sergeant major for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River.
Corporals’ Course is not for Marines who are poor leaders or who are inexperienced, but it is for everyone.
"You will come here already a corporal. We will not teach you how to be a corporal," said Leiva. "But we will teach you how to be better. We will teach you to be a better Marine, a better leader and a better corporal."
While PowerPoint classes are involved, there is much more in the course. NCOs are refreshed on Marine Corps basics including writing a five paragraph order and land navigation, but they are also taught mentoring, professionalism and sword manual.
The course includes Marines from all occupational fields across the air station, which allows Marines to broaden their horizons.
"You are going to learn from the classes, and you are going to learn from us," said Gunnery Sgt. William Manley, Corporals’ Course chief instructor. "But you will also learn a ton from each other."
Corporals should be prepared for a fast-paced course and be prepared to perform well and with professionalism, said Sgt. Maj. William Oldenburg, air station sergeant major.
"This isn’t just a check in the box," said Oldenburg. "We are building the foundations of leadership and professionalism in young Marines. This program is great and we know that Marines leave this course better leaders and better people."
While he course includes physical fitness, the NCOs are also taught a variety of different styles from combat fitness to circuit courses focused on leading physical training instead of participating in it.
"It really is amazing to see," said Sgt. Joshua Bott, a course instructor. "We started out with 40 Marines who didn’t know each other and didn’t talk or interact with each other. This morning during PT, they were leading one another and were an incredible team."
Date Taken: | 02.25.2016 |
Date Posted: | 02.26.2016 12:04 |
Story ID: | 190227 |
Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 86 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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