JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Marine Transport Squadron Andrews is hosting a joint professional military education course on Joint Base Andrews, Oct. 5-18.
The Corporals Course was designed to provide students the basic knowledge and skills necessary to be successful small-unit leaders. This course is focused around instructor mentoring through application, instead of role memorization and testing. All E-4 service members than can pass an official Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, are eligible to attend the course.
"All services have unique capabilities and cultures that they bring to the joint team, and the Corporals Course educates these young leaders on the importance of integrating these strengths into a unified and cohesive team" Col. Brad Hoagland, JBA/11th Wing commander, said. "Military operations increasingly require that service-members work in a joint environment, both here in the National Capital Region as well as across the joint expeditionary environment that we operate in."
Hoagland believes that with more than 17,000 people working and living on JBA, it is necessary that all members receive appropriate training and education for the joint force to operate more effectively.
"This is an exciting and challenging course that teaches new Corporals basic Marine Corps leadership skills," Sgt. Christopher Doyal, MTSA training chief, said. "Students will receive at least 125 hours in lectures, guided discussions and practical application in warfighting, career progression, land navigation, sword and guidon manual, promotion systems and much more."
As the chief instructor, Doyal is entrusted with being a role model and mentor to help mold students for future leadership roles.
"In the Marine Corps, we stress the importance of the 'Strategic Corporal' - a Corporal who understands the mission and is capable of making tactical decisions," Doyal said. "Marine Corporals lead from the front; instilling leadership and confidence in young leaders is what this course is all about."
Students will be evaluated, throughout the course, in a mastery/non-mastery design. To get a mastery score, the student needs to earn an 80 percent, or better, on the written exams.
The course will end with a Marine Corps obstacle course, land navigation and a field mess night. The next morning will consist of a run, followed by a graduation that evening.
"It is a challenging course that will get everyone out of their comfort zones - mentally and physically," Doyal said. "Each graduate will have more to offer his or her commanding officer."
Upon completion of the course, graduates will have the skills to become leaders within their units.
"It is an accomplishment to complete one of the most demanding leadership courses the U.S. Marine Corps offers to junior enlisted at local commands," Sgt. John Reppert, MTSA operations chief, said. "I feel that these members can help spread the lessons learned on leadership and have an understanding that the rank they hold is more than just a pay-grade; it is a privilege in becoming a junior leader within their commands."