CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The command for 2nd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group hosted a professional dinner aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 9, for its junior noncommissioned officers at the Ball Center.
The dinner was the conclusion of the week-long Corporal’s Leadership Course offered by the battalion to help newly promoted corporals transition to a NCO mindset.
Marines in the maintenance field usually do not have the opportunity to interact among each other due to their job’s sky-scraping demands.
“The dinner helps them interact with some of the unit’s leaders and remember they are an important part of the unit and the leadership chain,” said Gunnery Sgt. Loren B. Walters, from Dunkirk, N.Y., the course staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “We included the professional dinner, prior to graduation to give them a breather after a week packed with classes.”
“This is a great opportunity for us to get out of our uniforms and [spend time] with our fellow NCOs,” explained Cpl. Damian M. Smith, originally from Onarga, Ill., a microminiature repairer with 2nd Maint. Bn., who was recently promoted to corporal. “This is really motivating, and I really enjoyed being here with some of my friends.”
Smith said he was happy he had a chance to attend the course, which he says will help him tremendously during future assignments.
“I learned a lot about counseling and mentoring my Marines as well as how to look out for their welfare,” Smith added. “Now that I am responsible for three Marines in my shop, this course helped me understand how to act like an NCO.”
The course’s main purpose was to act as a precursor to Corporal’s Course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy aboard Camp Johnson, N.C.
“The curriculum is a broken down version of Corporal’s Course,” Walter explained. “The course is made up of basic Marine Corps knowledge, leadership classes, drill manual, sword manual and physical fitness.”
The course is held quarterly, and it is the way senior leaders of the battalion can ensure the new NCOs are prepared to assume the responsibilities of their rank.