This past quarter, the College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) concluded the phase two pilot of the SCS, which provides an alternative for Marine sergeants to complete a resident-like PME requirement through an on-site, facilitated distance-learning seminar.
The phase two pilot seminars were completed on Oct. 20, in seven Marine Corps University (MCU) regional campuses taught by their respective regional chief instructor. During the phase one pilot, 12 sergeants completed; during phase two, 89 completed, for a total of 101 sergeants that have now graduated from the SCS.
Educating all sergeants in residence elevates the intellectual development of the force—a necessity in current and future operating environments—but also creates significant challenges to operational flexibility. The goal of the SCS is to leverage lessons learned in the officer and staff noncommissioned officer’s (SNCO) distance education programs to provide commanders an additional educational option for their sergeants. A seminar program can meet the commandant’s expectation to better educate our enlisted force, provide a larger pool of competitive Marines eligible for promotion to staff sergeant for the total force and mitigate some of the personnel and operational tempo challenges of the operating forces.
Based on the results of phase two Sergeants Course, the commanding generals of Training and Education Command and Education Command have approved the continued expansion of the Sergeants Course Seminar program in all eight regions commencing in February 2018. Additionally, the phase two pilot for the ACS will be offered in all eight regional campuses during summer 2018.
For further information about the SCS or ACS seminars in your area, please contact MCU regional campus at www.usmcu.edu/cdet/regions-rds.
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