Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar was implemented in 2013 as a gateway course for Marines before attending Corporals Course and Sergeants Course. Throughout the years, it has become mandatory for all lance corporals to go through before picking up the rank of corporal. Though for most junior Marines this may seem like just a check in the box, here’s an insight on how U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Tanner L. Noel sees it.
“It’s a stepping stone,” said Noel. “To go from one point as a junior Marine stepping into the beginning roles as a noncommissioned officer (NCO).”
Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar is designed to refresh the Marines on the classes received in recruit training. When Noel first started the course he wasn’t sure what he expected.
The longer the courses went on, the more Noel understood why this course was essential to leadership and taking charge as a junior Marine. He also realized how important it is to listen and understand that all Marines are built off of the same core values.
“Throughout the course we teach several classes relating to leadership,” said Sgt. Paul Anderson, a Lance Corporal Leadership and Ethics Seminar instructor with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “During these classes we give scenarios so that the Marines get a hands-on experience with situations that may come to them.”
The course is not only focused on learning leadership skills and core values, it’s also a place to learn to network and branch out during the seminar. They are put in groups with people they might have not known at the beginning of the week. They do skits, work together and have a day where they dress in business attire and eat lunch as a unit.
“I learned that leadership starts with peers,” said Noel. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be an NCO in order to start to lead other Marines.”
Noel isn’t the only private first class to attend this course, as the seminar is not exclusively for lance corporals, but open to any junior Marine.
“You can start leading at any rank,” said Noel. “As long as you have the tools, the knowledge, and the understanding of what good leadership is.”