Corporals Course comes to Dyess

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Domonique Washington
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty-eight Marine corporal reservists will graduate from the first Corporals Course here Aug. 15.

Corporals come from Marine Reserve centers across the nation to attend the course designed to transition them from followers to leaders commanding small units.

"The students learn what it means to be a leader of Marines, how it relates to the modern battlefield and how to transition that leadership in garrison," said Chief Instructor Marine Staff Sgt. Tommy Tillman. "It is important because these 21- to 23-year-old men and women are responsible for their Marine's lives while accomplishing all sorts of missions that range in difficulty.

"It gives me pride to see these young warriors eager to learn. It gives me confidence as a Staff NCO that when I have to send a platoon of Marines into harm's way, they are being lead by trained and confident Corporals," he said.

Ten senior NCOs facilitate an environment conducive for the students to enjoy the learning process and feel more relaxed, rather than being yelled at by a drill instructor.

The sergeant major, director, and first sergeant, assistant director, of the course select the best senior NCOs they feel can meet the challenge to instruct the young corporals. Each instructor brings different life experiences and skill sets to the table.

Dyess' Airman Leadership School facilitates the Marines with classrooms and dormitories while they complete their 16-day Professional Military Education course.

Master Sgt. Lonnie Johnson, ALS commandant, was involved in the approval process to accommodate the Marines.

"Master Sergeant Johnson has been very instrumental to the success of our course here on Dyess," Staff Sgt. Tillman said.

Sharing Dyess' resources and facilities with the Marine Corps fosters a good and functional relationship with our sister service.

"Every year our course will have to be approved by our higher command and we will have to get approval from ALS leadership again," Staff Sgt. Tillman said. "Upon approval and also the logistics of it all, there is a great possibility we will be back. We see this as great cross-service cooperation and it shows how services can work jointly to train our future leaders."

Upon graduating from the course on Aug. 15, Marine corporals will depart Dyess and return to their home stations.

"My experiences here will help me be a better leader in the Marine Corps," said Cpl. Carlos Sernacardona, class commander. "This was my first time being on an Air Force base. It's a good experience."