How do you feel about Cpl's Course becoming mandatory for promotion?

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:44:02 -0400

Now that resident's course is necessary instead of just the online variant, how do you guys feel about this change?

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jul 6 at 2015 12:06 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:06:44 -0400

From a leadership development perspective, I like it. One of the things that makes Marines (at all levels - NCO, SCNO, Officer) good leaders is the access & availability (even if it's mandated) to professional development schools. I can hear individual Marines, and their commands, already face-palming over budgets. But, this is an investment --both in the individual and the Corps.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 2:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:37:14 -0400

There are things an Online course just can't teach you, attention to detail during a uniform inspection, Drill to include sword manual, and most importantly it allows you to connect and network with people outside your MOS. This gives you your first look at how big the the Marine Corps is and put what part you play into perspective.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 4:04 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:04:21 -0400

The trouble with rigid required residency has always been funding and timing. Non resident actually saves time and money for military--no, it's not the same as on site--yet many on site schools really are not necessary---the bonding and hands on experience, the ability to ask and to get answers to questions might be. Hence, maybe a better solution is to change the way we manage correspondence courses, so that there is both the book learning and the short resident phase...ponder that. It's also helpful to complete courses in other skills so that you understand them (such a personnel, who handle your records)....

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Jul 7 at 2015 12:45 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:45:29 -0400

A Marine SgtMaj invited me to sit in a Marine Corporals Course. Being an Army CSM, I love the opportunity to see what other branches offer in leadership development. Excellent class, I think it should be a requirement for those wishing to lead Marines!

Response by Cpl Wesley Nail made Jul 7 at 2015 1:00 PM

Cpl Wesley Nail — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:00:26 -0400

It used to be mandirory before promotion to SGT. When did that change?

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 7 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:05:51 -0400

I think having both the online and resident course becoming mandatory to be overkill. Both course are about of the same information. There is a lot that can be added to or changed with the resident course. If they were both different then I would agree both would be good to have as required. But until then, one or the other should be required.

Response by Sgt Matt Koeneman made Jul 9 at 2015 5:11 AM

Sgt Matt Koeneman — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:11:26 -0400

I loved that change. It meant I had leaders to put in charge of troops when I had to step away. It helped them move past the I can't be in charge of my friends part of a recent promotion.

Response by SFC Steven Borders made Jul 9 at 2015 2:20 PM

SFC Steven Borders — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:20:45 -0400

Is the Cpl's course like our WLC?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:22 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:22:15 -0400

The only option available to me at the time was Non-Resident Course. The MCI for that was incredibly easy as it was all book learning. What is missed is the espirit-de-corps which develops with shared learning/hardships. I also feel that the that previous statement about the little things, is a big issue. Think about all the "little things" we experienced in boot camp which make you a Marine. You can teach the function but can you instill the discipline and attention to detail in a correspondence/online course? I think to maintain the integrity and high standards of the Marine NCO, a resident course should be mandatory.