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Non-commissioned officers in the United States Marine Corps are often referred to as the ‘Backbone of the Marine Corps.’ This is not just a clever saying; this is a credo and a principle that empowers every Marine entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of living up to the title corporal or sergeant.
The utility and leadership Marine Corps NCOs bring to the fight was not lost on the Ukrainian chief of staff when he requested an NCO development course be run for some of the host nation’s young leaders during Sea Breeze 2011 in Shirokyi Lan, Ukraine.
“I’ve been asked by your chief of staff on the Ukrainian side if the Marines would come prepared to provide some periods of instruction for non-commissioned officer leadership and how we conduct business,” said Sgt Maj Steven Peck, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment Sergeant Major.
Three of the 13 countries participating in Sea Breeze 2011 participated in the course: Ukraine, Moldova and Macedonia. These three countries in particular have, in the past, operated in a centralized chain of command which requires the unit staff be involved in the entire decision making process.
The Marine Corps, since its early years, believes the decentralized model is more efficient and breeds better leaders more adept to overcoming obstacles and providing sound mentorship to the junior troops.
The course was presented in 5 separate periods of instruction, each given by a Marine sergeant or staff sergeant. The first class presented the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment. This class used practical applications every fighting man could relate to.
“The biggest commitment is the weight of knowing your number one priority is to your country,” said Cpl. Vasily Tchaikovsky, 22nd Peacekeeping Bn., Moldovan Army.
The second period of instruction highlighted leadership styles and how junior troops can be led effectively, but in different ways. The three main points were: authority, responsibility and accountability, because regardless of leadership style, these three characteristics will be present. The very act of being in a leadership position should convey authority. A leader, regardless of style, is responsible for his subordinates and their well-being, and every leader will be held accountable by his superior for the personal and professional development of his personnel. The takeaway from this instruction was the quest every leader should be achieving the perfect balance of leadership, when he or she can instantly relate and communicate with subordinates, the mission gets accomplished and person and professional development is producing upstanding future NCOs.
“I learned a better understanding of how sergeants work in the United States Marine Corps and the NCO responsibilities are at the different levels,” said Sgt. Artium Kornev, Ukrainian Naval Infantry Bn.
“How the NCOs are responsible for the overall climate and behavior of their subordinates,” added Kornev.
Leadership traits and principles were next on the agenda; the components that establish a person’s leadership style and the measure of how successful it is. These guide traits and principles are good to keep in mind to ensure the validity of a leader’s actions, mindset and character.
A key component to producing solid future NCOs is to counsel them when they are junior Marines and use the time they are learning what it means to be a leader to teach them successful leadership traits and set the example for them. Counseling has long held negative connotations as something that happens as a punishment.
Counseling is a discipline building tool. The root word of discipline is disciple. A disciple is one who is being mentored to accomplish a greater purpose. To disciple someone is to guide them and teach them something to teach others or show them the way to accomplish something. In this case, how to become an NCO in the future, remember where they came from and to take an active role in shaping the NCOs to follow after them.
“I think it’s very beneficial for our militaries to work together so we can learn from one another. We can learn about different tactics, weapon systems, the physical training and take something away from one another while our militaries are cooperating,” said Kornev.
This course gave way to a multinational NCO dialogue, allowing the Marine instructors to share their insight and, in turn, learn how some of the host nation NCOs accomplish their task of shaping future NCOs, while aspiring to eventually be staff non-commissioned officers.
“When I look out there, I don’t want to see different uniforms separated,” said Peck. “I want to see us and them, meshed together, learning from each other and developing relationships.”
Sea Breeze 2011 is a combined air, land and maritime exercise with the goals of enhancing amphibious operations, improving multinational maritime capabilities and fostering trust and cooperation among participating nations. Working together, participating partner nations will be able to meet future peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, as well as counter-trafficking and other challenges. This training will help ensure participating forces achieve higher levels of interoperability, be able to operate as a multinational task force and enhance maritime security capabilities.
The countries comprising the 14th anniversary exercise are: Ukraine (host), Azerbaijan, Algeria (observer only), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Georgia, Kenya, Moldova, Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2011 03:17 |
| Story ID: | 71933 |
| Location: | SHIROKYI LAN, UA |
| Web Views: | 270 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sea Breeze 2011 Sergeant Major leads multi-national non commissioned officer course, by Matt Lyman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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