Marines graduate from Okinawa's first consolidated Corporals Course

Photo By Spc. Leigh Campbell | Corporals from several camps on Okinawa participate in the first Camp Foster Corporals Course Feb. 27. The course prepares new noncommissioned officers for leadership roles.  

CAMP LESTER, JAPAN

03.09.2007

Story by Lance Cpl. Bradley Rogers 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Lance Cpl. David Rogers
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan, -- Corporals with Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing graduated from the first consolidated Corporals Course on Okinawa today.

Marines with the Operations and Training Section for Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB, opened its Corporals Course to all Foster-based units to eliminate the need for 1st MAW and 3rd MLG Marines to travel to other camps for the course, said Gunnery Sgt. Najee M. Jordan, the course's chief instructor.

As word about the consolidated course spread, Marines stationed on MCAS Futenma and Camps Courtney and Hansen signed up for it, adding the benefit of a large, diverse group of Marines from a variety of backgrounds and occupational specialties.

"This course brings a wide view of how each unit within (III Marine Expeditionary Force) operates," said. Sgt. Erin K. Rios, the 4th squad advisor for the course.

Many NCOs who attended the course have never deployed, and those who have deployed shared their experience.

"I got to see how a lot of ground-side units are taught to do things," said Cpl. Christina Shumaker, an air traffic control systems maintenance chief with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, 1st MAW. "I really got a good glimpse of how the rest of the Marine Corps operates."

The course differs from many Corporals Courses around the Marine Corps, according to Jordan. Many classes are designed to teach the common and uncommon scenarios NCOs may face as leaders, such as classes on financial management, family readiness and basic lifesaving.

"This course teaches everything it's required to teach, such as sword and drill manual, physical training and uniform inspections, but it's also tailored to fit the Marine Corps these corporals are going to be leading," Jordan said.

Among the added benefits of the Foster curriculum was Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training courtesy of Marines with the Provost Marshal Office's Special Reconnaissance Team.

"This course isn't about being a Wing or Base Marine," said Cpl. Kelsey A. Seidel, an electronic switching equipment technician with H&S Bn. "It's about being a corporal, and I can't wait to take what I've learned and teach it to my Marines."

• Date Taken: 03.09.2007
• Date Posted: 03.09.2007 08:53
• Story ID: 9369
• Location: CAMP LESTER, JP