Cpl. Jerrell E. Chance is an administrative clerk in the orders section at the Outbound Installation Personnel Administration Center by day, a MCMAP instructor by night, and a Non Commissioned Officer at all times – a leader of his Marines. 

“Cpl. Chance is a [gunnery sergeant] wearing corporal chevrons,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dennis C. Caoile, officer-in-charge, orders section, Outbound IPAC, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “He runs this entire section, and the section downstairs.”

Caoile and Chance went into further detail of Chance’s responsibilities. He is the platoon sergeant for his section, runs MCMAP training for the entire IPAC Outbound and the surrounding area (more than 100 Marines,) and accomplishes his day-to-day tasks as an administrative clerk, still making time for his Marines – not to mention time to be a father to his 5-year-old daughter.

“The way I was raised in the Marine Corps is to always have a passion for taking care of others,” said Chance, 26, and a native of Ft. Worth, Texas. “It’s been reinforced to me throughout my career and it’s something I make sure I pass along to my Marines.”

Chance treats his work section like his family. Not only does he work with them, but he also encourages his MCMAP warriors to volunteer in the community as a team.

“We have volunteered together at several different events, to include: Toys for Tots, Feed the Needy,  recruiting functions, Jane Wayne Day, Devil Pups, and the Young Marines Program to name a few,” said Chance.

Corporal Chance attributes a lot of his success to having had strong leaders who pushed him to do better.

“He reminds me of myself as a corporal,” said Gunnery Sgt. Lysa R. Packard, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of orders section, IPAC Outbound, HQSPT Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton. “Chance is the true example of what junior Marines should strive to be.”

Chance’s battalion started off with 70% of its Marines and sailors having tan belts, the initial stage in MCMAP, and is now at 30%, with an advancement of nearly 300 Marines overall. Chance attributes that small percentage to those new to the fleet or those in a limited-duty status.

“Chance and I started running the battalion’s MCMAP program under Col. Rogers’ direction,” said Packard. “We started off with 12 at a time doing the first few belt levels, until I left on my deployment. As soon as I took off he took over the program. I gave him the tools and he turned it into his own program.”

Chance’s leadership comes from his love for teaching. He said he enjoys teaching Marines new things, and assisting them in their learning process. Additionally, he saw an opportunity to play a vital role in the Marine Corps through MCMAP.

“When I got my certification tab to become an instructor in 2007, it was pushed for non-combat arms Marines to advance in MCMAP,” said Chance. “If every Marine is a rifleman we should be pushing this to everyone, was my mentality – so I did.”

“There are a few newly-commissioned lieutenants who are waiting to attend The Basic School and have yet to earn even their tan belts,” said Chance. “In their time they spent here they have gone up to black belt before checking in to TBS. I think this gave them some valuable experience they’ll be able to pass along to their fellow lieutenants when they arrive for training, both with MCMAP and enlisted Marines.”

Chance pushes what he has learned about leadership in the Marine Corps into his MCMAP classes. After all, there is more to MCMAP than just the techniques, he said.

“As a lance corporal I was leading a fire team when I was the Marine most junior in rank,” said Cpl. Alexander M. D. Calloway, administrative clerk, orders section, IPAC Outbound, HQSPT Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton. “We had competitions between fire teams and it pushed me to be a better leader because he gave me that responsibility.”

The NCO has pushed his Marines to develop goals and dreams for themselves. For himself, he has aspirations of going to the drill field when he is promoted to sergeant, however in the mean time, he teaches those under him to do great things.

“‘You’re great Marines, and you should only be doing great work,’ is what I always tell my students,” said Chance. “I want them to take pride in that work.”