Photo By Lance Cpl. Jacob Barber | Soldiers clear a compound at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. The Army National...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - In every branch of the military, there is a respect for the non-commissioned officer rank. Whether in the Marine Corps or Army, service members must be ready mentally and physically before becoming an NCO.
Like the corporals or sergeants course in the Marine Corps, there is also has a course that emphasizes the importance of becoming a leader in the Army.
The Warrior Leader Course, a 15-day training cycle at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, solely focuses on creating Army NCO’s.
The course is divided into two parts. During the beginning of the course, soldiers are taught lessons in a classroom that are tailored toward garrison leadership. After the classes, soldiers spend two weeks in the field learning tactical leadership while executing scenarios. Complex ambushes, route clearance, improvised explosive device patrols and combat judgment are examples of daily scenarios soldiers conduct during the final two weeks of the course.
“In this course we give them all the tools they need to become an NCO,” said Staff Sgt. Clayton Sivaivai, course instructor, said. “The the classroom is where they get the knowledge they need to be a good leader in garrison, but in the field we focus on the small team leadership.”
According to Sivaivai, who has been an instructor for three cycles, small team leadership is vital when promoted to NCO.
“When they deploy, they’ll most likely be put in the position to lead a small team,” Sivaivai said. “As an NCO that’s what you start as, a small team leader, and then you’ll go through ranks becoming a squad leader, platoon sergeant and so on. It all starts here though.”
The soldiers are divided into several teams and cycled from one area to another, conducting different scenarios at each. A variety of leadership and team building exercises are played out in each area.
“You really learn a lot about everything from patrolling to clearance tactics,” said Spc. Jessy Lansdace, rifleman, Forward Support Company, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “There’s a lot you learn from this course especially the leadership. This course is to instill leadership and I feel it’s made me a better leader.”
Though the theory taught in the course is proven to be effective, Sivaivai said he believes MCTAB in itself is vital to the course.
“I trained at this place before it was renovated, and you can see a lot has changed now,” said Sivaivai. “From my experience being deployed overseas, the new MOUT sites replicate the actual places I’ve been too. These sites give cultural awareness and a lot of units can conduct training at the same time. It’s an all around great facility.”
Whether for Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Army, to become an NCO you must be ready for the challenge, know your leadership capabilities, and most importantly, be willing to earn it. The Warriors Leaders Course is one way to learn all the necessary tools to be a sound NCO. By instilling leadership traits, knowledge and an understanding of combat scenarios, the Warrior Leadership Course prepares soldiers for the next level.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2012 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 83234 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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