June 12, 2014 -- The Corporals Course is the first in a series of professional military education courses offered by the Marine Corps to teach corporals the standards for their rank and to prepare them for promotion to the rank of sergeant.
Forty-seven Marines learned the importance of their role as noncommissioned officers while honing their leadership skills during the most recent Corporals Course hosted by Detachment 2, Supply Company (-), Combat Logistics Battalion-453.
“The course is designed to teach the fundamentals of small unit leadership,” Master Sgt. Jason A. Seaman, director, Corporals Course 027-14, said. “The purpose of the course is to help build the young noncommissioned officers’ foundation in leadership by giving him or her basic tools including esprit de corps, camaraderie, mentoring and counseling.”
Throughout the course here, Marines trained in combat conditioning, weapons handling, improvised explosive devices, land navigation, joint operations and tactical communication.
Not only did the course test the Marines physically, it also challenged them mentally with academic classes, including the history of the Marine NCO, promotion system, proficiency and conduct, operational risk management, public speaking and comprehensive exams.
Volunteering to be class commander for CLC 027-14, Cpl. Rebecca Clark, financial management clerk, Headquarters and Service Company, CLB-453, Aurora, Colorado, said the course helped her sharpen her leadership skills.
“I feel more confident in my leadership abilities (after taking the Corporals Course),” Clark said. “There are many things I will take away from this course, but the most important will be my confidence as a leader of Marines. This course has reminded (me) that being a firm-but-fair leader is vital.”
During the two-week resident course, corporals were molded, taught and influenced by faculty advisors.
Sgt. Gregory Stanek, automotive organizational mechanic, Detachment 3, Maintenance Company, CLB-453, Vienna, Ohio, was one of six faculty advisors to share his knowledge during the course.
“The Corporals Course is a great way to introduce leadership concepts to corporals,” Stanek said. “I was very excited to be that mentor for these young noncommissioned officers.
“As a faculty advisor, my main take-away from this course is that our corporals are not only ready but eager to lead Marines,” he added.
During each course, an honor graduate is chosen. Cpl. Austin Anderson, supply administrative clerk, Det. 2, Supply Co., CLB-453, Albany, Georgia, was selected as CLC 027-14’s honor graduate for his leadership. He received a certificate of appreciation as well as a plaque and a copy of “Message to Garcia” during the graduation ceremony held at the Base Theater, May 23.
“The course was a good refresher of information that a Marine noncommissioned officer (needs to) know,” Anderson said. “It provided a lot of specifics that I was unaware of and (it) will allow me to better lead my Marines.
“For me, the greatest take-away from the course was that I have the power to lead my Marines and set the example,” he added. “Being a Marine is not a once a month thing for us reservists. I must always have the noncommissioned officer mindset, and apply it to my civilian life as well.”