Corporals Course: Teaching Small Unit Leadership 

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Students of Corporal’s Course class 308-16 at Camp Pendleton are scheduled to graduate Thursday with the hopes using their new leadership skills to mold the future of the Marine Corps.

Finishing this course is a requirement for corporals in order to be eligible for promotion to sergeant.

Sgt. Patrick J. Ross, an instructor for the corporal’s course class 308-16 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, said the three week course is designed for corporals to review and expand their understanding of the Marine Corps and what it takes to be a leader of Marines.

“The overall goal of corporal’s course is to make them a better person, to make them a better Marine,” said Sgt. Lazarus M. Wright, an instructor for the corporal’s course class 308-16 at MCI-West. “At the end of the day we need better people in the Marine Corps to go out into the civilian world to represent the Marine Corps.”

The instructors teach drill to the students because it instills pride and discipline; traits which can later be passed on to junior Marines in their respective units.

“One of the things I always say is: you want to make your Marines better than yourself,” said Ross.

Ross said he wants his corporals to understand that they should always strive to be better in order to always set the example for their subordinates.

“Corporal’s course is designed to give its students more confidence and it gives them a voice in the Marine Corps,” said Ross.

This is one of the main skills taught at the corporals, he added.

“We are learning small unit leadership as far as learning from our peers, from their experiences and how to lead junior Marines and peers,” Cpl. Evany Morales, a student of the corporal’s course class 308-16.

Morales added that in order to lead your Marines you have to know their strengths and weaknesses further affirming their leadership principles.

“To be a good leader you have to be well rounded,” said Cpl. Julio Flores Jr., a student in the course. “Know your knowledge, know your job, know your Marines, be good at physical training and be good at drill. You know the basics.”

“What I want the corporals to take from this experience is that: every Marine is a Marine, no matter where you come from or what you have done in your past or what you are currently going through right now,” said Wright. “Always strive to be better. Do not just settle for what is giving to you. You have to take what you want.”

The graduation is scheduled to take place Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the base theater, here.