MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. --
Never in the history of the Marine Corps has a Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy taught a Corporals’ Course. The SNCO academy at Camp Lejeune is now teaching courses on a regular basis. The first ever of these classes is taking place at Camp Geiger right now.
Staff Sgt. Edward A. Negron, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Corporals’ Course, is currently teaching the first course.
“Commands are showing their need for NCOs by sending their Marines here,” said Negron.
“There were originally 75 seats available for the first course: 50 were filled,” said Negron. “This is very good for a first class.”
“The course is very challenging; it helps us learn how to lead Marines,” said Cpl. Jon P. Popp, a crewman with the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Division.
This course is taught on a set curriculum developed from what commands teach in their own classes, said Master Gunnery Sgt. Marc L. Coudriet, deputy director of the academy.
“We saw a definite need for a Corporals’ Course that runs on a set schedule,” said Coudriet.
In the 1980s, Marine NCOs attended the Marine Leadership Course. This course then turned into the modern day Sergeants’ Course.
“There was no specific course for corporals,” said Coudriet.
Having no specific course to teach to corporals, developed their own command schools into what is now the Corporals’ Course.
Sgt. Maj. Rick D. James, director for the Staff NCO academy came up with the idea to start the Corporals’ Course at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune’s academy is planning an annual schedule, which will be released a year in advance so commands can plan when they want to send their Marines to the course, said Coudriet.
Four consecutive classes will begin running in October, and 400 spots will be available for Marines; courses are open to all surrounding commands, explained Coudriet.
“These classes focus on leadership that helps in becoming a sergeant in the Marine Corps,” said Coudriet.
Corporals’ courses typically teach junior leaders basic leadership skills to be used in most situations. The Camp Geiger course has now added on a more advance war fighting package. This will teach Marines to lead in a field environment, explained Coudriet. Marines in this class will also learn basic sword manual, drill, physical training and uniform inspections, along with material taught in academic classes.
For more information on the corporals’ courses offered by the Camp Lejeune Staff NCO academy call 449-0506.