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Newly promoted corporals listen to a speaker during the Corporals Committed and Engaged Leadership Indoctrination aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 4. Some topics covered during the course were leadership techniques, core values and ethics.

Photo by Cpl. Melissa Eschenbrenner

3rd MAW’s newest NCOs armed with knowledge for success

5 Dec 2013 | Cpl. Melissa Eschenbrenner 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Newly promoted corporals attended a three-day Corporals’ Committed and Engaged Leadership Indoctrination aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec.3 to 5.

Maj. Gen. Steven Busby, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, implemented the course held in the field to teach new noncommissioned officers about the responsibilities that come with the promotion. Busby hopes to empower the new NCOs to better the Marine Corps as part of the Committed and Engaged Leadership initiative.

“The people we need to fix the [problems] are noncommissioned officers,” said Busby. “Therefore, we need to invest in [them]. So, we asked ourselves ‘what are we doing to prepare them?’ That is where the first Staff Sergeants’ Symposium came from and now, the corporals’ indoctrination.”

Mentors teach the new corporals many leadership skills and techniques by not only speaking on their own experiences, but letting the corporals learn by discussion amongst their peers.

Although every Marine shares the same core values, they still are very different, explained Sgt. Maj. Brandon Hall, sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and a mentor at the course. The course is designed to give each Marine an understanding of what is expected as a Marine NCO, not just what is needed from them in their specific military occupational specialty.

Many topics discussed during the course may have been taught at recruit training or during other classes. However, it is important to reiterate the basics of leadership to Marines to become effective leaders.

“You can’t re-invent the wheel, but you can improve it,” said Hall. “You can make sure there is grease on the axel, the air pressure is good and there is good tread on the tire. That’s all we’re doing; making sure that the wheel is the best it can be and putting it to good use.”

The new NCOs gained experiences that can be passed on to other leaders and junior Marines alike. The course pulled Marines out of their comfort zone and surrounded them with peers to show them what was truly important.

“I liked that we went out to the field and it took me out of my shop,” said Cpl. Darren Knox, a student at the corporals’ indoctrination and a St. Louis native. “I feel like I am so much more prepared and I can’t wait to get back to my shop to use it.”