WASHINGTON - A native of Milford, Ia., was promoted to the rank of corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Feb. 1.
Cpl. Gaige Roberts, enlisted in the Corps in February 2011, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He has held his current position as an adjutant clerk at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., since Sep. 2011.
The rank of corporal is the first noncommissioned officer rank in the Corps, and is an important position of leadership. NCOs obtain their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks.
“I’m ready to train my subordinates to be better than me, and to perform to the very best of their abilities,” said Roberts.
Robert’s promotion is just one of his latest successes. The 19-year old Marine recently graduated from the Marine Corps’ Corporal’s Course, a demanding three-week leadership course typically reserved for Marines who have already attained the rank of corporal. Roberts excelled during the course, graduating as the honor graduate.
“Corporal’s course was eye opening, a definite transition from being a junior Marine to leading junior Marines,” said Roberts as he described the challenging course.
Roberts plans on leaving the Corps after his first enlistment and going to study diesel mechanics.
His awards include a National Defense Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Barracks Marines support ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s Capitol. Each year, the Marines support more than 30 parades and hundreds of ceremonies and functions to include funerals and sporting events across the country and globe while maintaining proficiency in their respective military occupations and meeting their annual Marine Corps training requirements.