USMC NCR Enhanced NCO Training Evolution
by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kedrick Schumacher March 1,
2023
Deafening roars of motivation echo from the
entrance of Little Hall as 66 Marines stand at attention and shout
the Marine Corps noncommissioned officer’s creed on February 16,
2023.
These Marines are the graduates of Corporals Course
1-23 and they represent 19 different units from Marine Corps Base
(MCB) Quantico and the National Capital Region (NCR).
From the
time they step on the yellow footprints, drill instructors teach
Marines to take immense pride in their heritage, traditions, and
mission. In fact, the growth and improvement mindset remains
steadfast from recruit training until the end of a Marine’s career.
The Marine Corps facilitates this approach to training through
professional military education (PME).
Once a Marine reaches
the rank of corporal, earning their blood stripe and claiming the
title of noncommissioned officer (NCO), the expectation for
professional development increases ... enter the Corporals Course.
 U.S. Marines with Security Battalion capture a simulated enemy combatant during a joint Corporals course, class 1-23, hosted by Headquarters Battalion, Training and Education Command, and Security Battalion on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
on February 10, 2023. During this event, students practice military operations on urban terrain to strengthen their combat efficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)
|
“The Resident Command-Sponsored Corporals
Course creates more capable noncommissioned officer leaders across
our enterprise due to the breadth of knowledge gained during the
periods of instruction and practical application,” said MCB Quantico
Sgt. Maj. Collin Barry, who acted as the course graduation ceremony
guest speaker.
This course is designed to teach new NCOs
small unit leadership, instill esprit de corps, and hone basic
Marine Corps skills.
“Overall, PME enhances the warfighting
prowess of the U.S. Marine Corps by enhancing one’s overall
education, developing critical thinking skills, and making more
holistically equipped leaders to operate successfully within the
21st Century battlespace,” Barry said.
“All the Corporals
Courses I’ve seen are always ran by one battalion,” said Sgt.
Nathaniel Hebert, Corporal’s Course 1-23 instructor and a member of
the Headquarters Company staff for Security Battalion. “The
interesting thing about this one is that it was a collaboration
through multiple battalions to be able to run a much larger scale
Corporals Course.”
Headquarters Battalion, TECOM, hosted the
course and Security Battalion provided the instructors.
“Typically, you don’t see a Corporals Course this big,” said Hebert,
a native of Highland Home, Alabama. “But luckily, Marine Corps Base
Quantico is used to staffing larger PME’s.”
Moreno added the
planning process took about two months to complete, and the
instructors set the bar high with their professionalism and
coordination.
“I can honestly say that this is by far the
best cooperation I’ve had,” said 1st Sgt. Mayra Moreno, staff
noncommissioned officer in charge of Corporals Course 1-23 and the
company first sergeant of Manpower and Recruiting Company,
Headquarters Battalion, Training and Education Command (TECOM).
“This is the first time that Headquarters Battalion and Security
Battalion have joined. We’ve had so much support… They’ve made it
very easy to put together.”
Hebert also said the coordination
between the two battalions allowed Marines to establish connections
with Marines outside of their own command.
 U.S. Marines conduct a patrol during a joint Corporals course, class 1-23, hosted by Headquarters Battalion, Training and Education Command, and Security Battalion on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia on February 10, 2023. During this event, students practice military operations on urban terrain to strengthen their combat efficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)
|
“The Marine Corps is small,” said the 2016
graduate from South Montgomery County Academy in Grady, Alabama.
“Know who you’re around, and they’ll help you in the future.”
Overall, several tenant commands aboard MCB Quantico came
together to help organize this course.
“I just want to thank all the units,
the commands for being so supportive and allowing their Marines to
come to this Corporals Course,” said Moreno, a native of Huntington
Beach, California. “I can guarantee that when they come back,
they’re going to be very highly motivated, and hopefully they spread
that leadership in the shop wherever they can.”
The U.S. Marines |
Marines - The Few, The Proud |
Our Valiant Troops |
I Am The One |
Veterans |
Citizens Like Us
U.S. Marines Gifts |
U.S. Marine Corps |
U.S.
Department of Defense
|
|