Marines graduate Corporals Course at-sea

USS RUSHMORE – The mess deck was full as the national anthem played from a small set of speakers. Marines stood at attention. A striking similarity between them was obvious as they wore their service uniforms indicating their ranks as Corporals.

After devoting 81 hours to physical training, lectures, practical application, performance evaluations, written evaluations and counselings, Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit graduated from a Corporals course aboard the USS Rushmore, Nov. 2.

The 15th MEU is deployed as part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
The course focused on an impressive sized curriculum that included a combat conditioning program, sword manual, uniform inspections, classes in military justice, history, customs and courtesies, leadership concepts, traits and principles, the counseling system, personal finance, troop leading steps and operational risk management . The 81 hours the Marines spent in the course does not include the estimated 28 hours the Corporals spent studying during their free time for practical and written evaluations.

“The course was physically and mentally demanding,” said Cpl. Daniel D. Burrell, motor transportation operator, 2nd Platoon, Battery B, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th MEU. “During the day we conducted combat conditioning and had classes on everything and at night there was always homework. But in the end it was worth it and I’m glad I was able to do it,” added Burrell, who was among those who graduated.

To teach the Corporals, a team of three Sergeants, a Staff Sgt. and a Gunnery Sgt. where in charge of the instruction and evaluation of the Marines during the 12-day course.

“[Corporals course] is the first step in their career as NCOs,” said Gunnery Sgt. Kent M. Pendleton, staff non-commissioned officer in charge, Corporals Course, Weapons Company, BLT 3/5, 15th MEU. “The course gives them the tools to improve upon being a Corporal. This is the first course we’ve done during the deployment. All-in-all it went better than expected with the resources we had and the tight training schedule,” added the 33 year-old Rockdale, Texas native.

The course also allows many students to see another side of the Marine Corps different than their personal military occupational specialty. Marines are given a review on skills they learned during Marine Combat Training and taught a whole new set of abilities.
“It’s important for them to get out of their MOS and network with other Marines with different jobs,” said Staff Sgt. Frank D. Hewett, chief instructor, Corporals Course, Weapons Company, BLT 3/5, 15th MEU. “The Marines share knowledge and come together as one. We just gave those more tools in the toolbox to help deploy leadership skills and train junior Marines,” added the 27 year-old Omaha, Neb. native.

The only qualm the graduated Marines had was that they wished they had taken the course earlier.

“I wish I did [the course] when I was first promoted to Corporal instead of waiting until now,” said Burrell, a 22 year-old Kimball, Neb. native. “I picked up a lot of new tools that would have helped me along the way. It helped me not only as a leader but to build my confidence. I hope to implement what I learned with the Marines under me.”