MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Camp Pendleton Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy has embarked on a new tradition of inviting the Marine Corps’ senior officers to their graduation ceremonies to encourage and instill the importance of working together to complete the mission.

Major General Melvin G. Spiese, deputy commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton was the guest speaker of the SNCO Academy’s graduating class 1-11.

“This is the first time we’ve included a commissioned officer in our graduation ceremonies as a guest speaker,” Sgt. Maj. Robert A. Ledferd, director, Staff NCO Academy, MCB Camp Pendleton. “It’s very important that we incorporate officers into our ceremonies so it may pass down priceless guidance and instill inspiration to our Marines.”

The Staff NCO Academy’s mission is to provide sergeants and staff NCO’s with essential education and leadership training. The schooling is provided to enhance their professional qualifications and better prepare them to assume duties of greater responsibility that may ultimately allow for greater contributions to the Corps as leaders and mentors.

“This is definitely a huge step towards our initiative to bridge the gap between Marine Corps’ senior enlisted leadership and commissioned officers,” said Spiese. “I am very pleased with the students and even more so with the instructors who put in the hard work and dedication to train these newly equipped Marines.”

During the ceremony, Spiese took the privilege of handing out the honor graduate award to Staff Sgt. Christopher Clark, a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, and diplomas to each student.

For more information about the academy, contact the academy’s administrative noncommissioned officer in charge at 760-763-0213 or visit http://www.mcu.usmc.mil.