JACKSONVILLE, N. C. - The Marine Corps is transitioning to an online platform by offering new enlisted professional military education courses through the Distance Education Program.
Many courses such as the Sergeants Course have made the transition to an online class that can be taken on https://www.marinenet.com. The courses are part of the DEP, meaning that the classes are geared toward catering to various work schedules, by splitting them into different sub-courses online, and they can be accessed at the Marines’ convenience.
“EPME Distance Education Branch of the USMC College of Distance Education and Training uses the availability of computers to provide a more engaging learning experience, said Mike Streib, director of Advanced Course. “The EPME distance education programs available on MarineNet provides multimedia instruction that offers graphics, audio, and video in addition to the text that was available in the paper-based correspondence manuals.”
The transition in the way that Marines are able to complete these courses is an idea some Marines may find more beneficial, although there was some concern on the aspect of marines losing the physical training portion of a resident PME.
“There was concern on the part of some that students of the seminar would not have to PT as in the resident course model, however that is not the case,” said Streib “Marine Corps Order 6100.13 says that units are required to ensure all Marines perform a minimum of five combat conditioning sessions. Therefore, the student will continue to PT with their unit while enrolled in the seminar program.”
These courses work the same as if a Marine physically attended the class, with each DEP course breaking down the information into categories to better separate the lesson subjects and to allow for the Marine to better focus on the material.
Upon completion of the Sergeants Course DEP, Marines will have a greater knowledge of their role as ethical leaders, recognize how personal actions stimulate change in the behavior and attitude of subordinates, and possess additional tools to guide their Marines’ personal and professional development.
The CDET is also working through different mediums to pass the word along to Marines that they now have options as to how they will continue their military education.
“As early as 2010, MARADMINs were published announcing the changes to EPME DEP,” said Streib. “Articles and advertisements have also been published in Marine Corps Times, Leatherneck, and the Marine Corps Gazette. Posters were developed and disseminated to base theaters and learning resource centers.”
According to Streib, sergeants will meet once a week to turn in previous assignments and discuss new assignments. During the week the students will research topics, and share thoughts on line with fellow students and instructors.
“With the high operational tempo around the Marine Corps, the new EPME seems like it will make our required education more feasible,” said Sgt. Abigail Brown, air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “Some of the EPME looks like a MarineNet course, while others resemble a college course. The way I understand it, we will have an assigned mentor/teacher, but can still interact with other Marines during the discussions. So even those who can’t attend a resident PME, like sergeants course, will still be able to interact with their peers while completing their training.”