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Marine Corps non-commissioned officers are known as ‘the back bone of the Marine Corps.' Once a Marine is promoted to the rank of corporal or sergeant, that Marine is no longer only responsible for one person. They are now responsible for their junior Marines.
These Marines are taught these things by their NCOs or by attending the NCO academy. Some say this is the most difficult transition when promoted in the Corps.
While time and experience are excellent ways to learn, the NCO academy offers a corporal’s and sergeant’s course for Marines to become proficient leaders of Marines.
“These courses are great for Marines,” said Gunnery Sgt. Adam Davison, deputy director, Sergeant’s Course, Combat Center. “They can take away a lot from the course just by learning the experiences of the person to their left and right.”
Corporal’s Course
Corporal’s Course is a three-week course for Marines who are striving to meet the standards of their rank and preparing for to the next rank. The rank of corporal is the fourth rank among the enlisted rank structure. Corporals have a responsibility to their subordinates and superiors unlike any other rank. Marine corporals are charged with the responsibility of fulfilling their occupational obligations while mentoring and leading their junior Marines. One of the first things taught at Corporal’s Course is to always be in the mindset of an NCO and to hold yourself and other Marines to the highest standard. The Marines are also taught history, leadership styles, techniques for mentoring Marines, leading by example, and how to lead physical fitness training. Another part of the curriculum is tradition, where the Marines are taught to drill with the NCO sword and guidon.
Sergeant’s Course
Sergeant’s course is a seven-and-a-half-week course designed specifically for the advancement of sergeants. These senior NCOs are held to different standards compared to corporals but have similar roles in the Marine Corps. They must mentor and lead the Marines subordinate to them while ensuring mission readiness and accomplishment. During the course, sergeants will be taught leadership in all aspects, the foundation of leadership, the ethical problems faced when leading, and the importance of Marine Corps history. Sergeants are also the ‘keepers of tradition.’ They are taught how to maintain Marine Corps traditions and passing on the knowledge about the Marine Corps’ origin.
“Sometimes we get rooted in how to lead and how to do certain things,” Davison said. “These courses are kind of a wake-up call and show you that there are actually many different ways to lead or to accomplish the same task.”
The courses offered by the NCO academy will help leadership become a habit to Marines. It is designed to help Marines take charge for the rest of their Marine Corps career and as a transition into their life after the Marine Corps.
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.10.2013 22:02 |
| Story ID: | 115045 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCO academy reinforces leadership, by Sgt Alejandro Bedoya, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
