Parris Island, South Carolina. (February 14, 2025): For junior enlisted troops, there is a big difference between being “in” a formation and standing in front of one. When you are in front of the formation, there is no place to hide. In this photo by Lance Corporal Ayden Cassano, Corporal Ava Alegria aims a rifle during a Corporals Course culminating event. The course is designed as a transition between the junior enlisted ranks and leadership positions.
Corporal is the first rung of the non-commissioned officers’ ladder and represents Marine leadership at the most basic level. The Corporal’s Course is a three-week program that teaches basic requirements while allowing for additional curricula tailored to meet the needs of individual units. Passing the course is a requirement for promotion to sergeant.
The reader may be surprised at how far traditional leadership training has changed over the years, even for the Marines. Instead of focusing on rote memorization and standardized testing, today’s Corporal’s Course incorporates adult learning methodologies that stress the direct application of learned skills, not just remembering numbers or acronyms. Instructors mentor young Marines through lectures, live demonstrations, and small-group discussions. For nearly every concept, there are practical applications and very detailed performance evaluations. The course combines best educational practices with the realistic training that comes with being a Marine.
The course is divided into two tracks, traditional leadership curriculum and warfighting skills. During the training, students develop their individual leadership styles and learn how to effectively manage people. The coursework goes beyond traditional reward/punishment practices to embrace mentorship and ways to bring subordinates into the decision-making process.
On the tactical side, the training is what one would expect for those seeking to lead Marines. This includes extreme physical conditioning, land navigation, and conducting offensive/defensive operations. Students also study small unit tactics, planning attacks, and how to lead a fire team.
The Corporal’s Course remains the most comprehensive training regime to help young Marines make the transition to their first leadership position.