February NCO PME session sheds light on new promotion rules

Photo By Adele Uphaus-Conner | Gunnery Sgt. Jessica Lemerond, Headquarters and Service Battalion Tenant Activities Company, speaks to noncommissioned officers at a Professional Military Education session on Feb. 10 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

02.10.2016

Story by Adele Uphaus-Conner 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

QUANTICO, Va. - Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) - corporals and sergeants - stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico attended a Professional Military Education (PME) session at The Clubs at Quantico Feb. 10.

Led by Gunnery Sgt. Jessica Lemerond, Headquarters and Service Battalion Tenant Activities Company, who stood in for Sgt. Maj. Gerald Saunders, the PME addressed the subject of the brand new MARADMIN announcing changes in the time in grade (TIG) and selection criteria for promotion to corporal and changes in the selection criteria for promotion to sergeant.

Lemerond said that it’s important for NCOs, who lead groups of junior Marines, to have the knowledge to answer those junior Marines’ questions—and questions may come up about the changes.

Previously, lance corporals needed eight months TIG before being eligible for promotion to corporal. Under the new rules, which go into effect April 1, 2016, lance corporals will need at least 12 months TIG before they can be considered for promotion.

Lemerond told the NCOs that these changes are not meant to give the lance corporals extra time to mature.

“Maturing comes with handling new responsibilities, not from being really good at the responsibilities you already have,” she said.

Rather, she said the new rules are meant to give lance corporals and corporals more time to become compliant with their PME requirements. For lance corporals, this means completing the Marine Net Leading Marines Distance Education Program (DEP) and a command-sponsored Lance Corporals Leadership and Ethics Seminar. Corporals must complete the Marine Net Corporals Course DEP as well as a resident Corporals Course.

“How many lance corporals and corporals do you think are PME compliant?” Lemerond asked the group of NCOs.

The answer was only 62 percent of lance corporals and 63 percent of corporals.

“What is stopping them? Is it not a priority or were they not given an opportunity?” Lemerond asked.

Many in the room raised their hands to admit that they were not PME-compliant themselves. The reason several gave is that they were nervous about writing and about how they might compare with their fellow corporals and sergeants.

Lemerond said this is a legitimate fear. Then she asked all NCOs in the room to think about one of their Marines who does excellent work and who they would recommend for promotion.

“Now think about what is not perfect about that phenomenal Marine,” she said. “Is he maybe not the best marksman? Does she maybe not run the fastest?”

“No Marine is perfect,” Lemerond continued. “Everyone can improve. Your intent is what makes you a good leader.” She said this is important for Marines to remember when comparing themselves with others of the same rank.

“Find what makes that Marine human,” she said.
Lemerond said that the new promotion rules will slow down advancement in less than 10 percent of military occupational specialties.

“Now does it seem more fair?” she asked the group. “And really, who doesn’t want more time to improve themselves?”

• Date Taken: 02.10.2016
• Date Posted: 02.18.2016 10:50
• Story ID: 189152
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US