Joint Force

Marines and Airmen perform calisthenics during an early morning physical training session of the United States Marine Corps Corporal Course conducted at Luke Air Force Base. The mission of the course is to “provide the Marine corporal with the education and leadership skills necessary to lead Marines.” (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Wolfe)

Joint Force: U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Course instills leadership in junior Marines, Airmen

Published June 25, 2009
By Senior Airman Tong Duong
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Competing against the roar of F-16 Fighting Falcons, Marines called out drill commands to fellow "Devil Dogs" and Luke Air Force Base Airmen as part of a course meant to build leadership skills and held here June 9 through today.

Eleven instructors taught traits necessary for Marines to rise to the NCO ranks to 38 students including 29 Marines and nine Luke Airmen who were invited to take the course as "honorary Marines."

The two-week corporal course marks the start of a Marine corporal's professional military education. A Marine corporal is equivalent to a senior airman in pay grade and rank, and the corporal course is similar to Airman Leadership School.

"The course teaches leadership traits," said 1st Sgt. Erik Smyer, Bulk Fuel Company A, 6th Engineer Support Squadron, Tucson. "This course teaches the first of 14 traits that Marines learn and helps build upon the corporal's traits to become a leader."

The course is divided into sections, including class room lectures on Marine Corps customs and courtesies, leadership under fire, how to lead Marines and instill discipline, as well as combat training.

According to Sergeant Smyer, education in the Marine Corps is very important.

"As the Marines move up in rank, they will receive more instructions to become a better leader," he said. "Learning never stops."

Senior Airman Joey Anderson, 607th Air Control Squadron data maintenance and participant in the course, saw it as an opportunity to train with another branch of service.

"I volunteered because I wanted to increase my confidence and leadership skills," he said. "It is not often that you hear of Airmen participating in the Marine Corporal Course."
With a brief exposure to the Marine Corps lifestyle, Airman Anderson enjoyed the different mentality brought by his brothers-in-arms.

"I liked being in the joint environment," he said. "They are more combat oriented and think differently -- even the focus of their physical training is dissimilar to ours."

According to Sergeant Smyer, Luke was chosen for the training course due to the new Marine Corps facility being built on base and to foster that relationship.