The annual course, which III Marine Expeditionary Force has hosted for the last several years, introduced attendees to their new roles and responsibilities and provided them with some basic tools for success, according to Sgt. Maj. Mike Lanpolsaen, sergeant major for 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and overall course coordinator.

The course is not a replacement to the Career Course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, stressed Lanpolsaen.

The indoc course "serves as a supplement to basically introduce Marines to the rank and give them a heads up as to what will be expected of them," said Lanpolsaen.

Course attendees will still be expected to attend the SNCO Career Course, he said.

Senior enlisted leaders and officers taught classes that included leadership, ethics, resources, responsibilities, counseling and mentoring.

"The classes were extremely informational," said Sgt. Carlyle Jones, a radar operator with the 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. "I learned a lot about the resources available to me and how to help others find and utilize those resources."

The course is taught at the MEF level, but some units are starting to implement courses tailored to the specific leadership needs specific to their military occupational specialties, Lanpolsaen said.

"This course is mandatory by order of the III MEF commanding general, so whether future or new SNCOs attend in their unit or with the MEF, it is ultimately vital they attend," he said.

The course is not currently mandated by Headquarters Marine Corps.

"This course sets us up for success as SNCOs because it introduces and familiarizes us with tools that will help us in the future," said Jones.

"I would encourage everyone attending now and those who attend in the future to take advantage of the opportunity and get everything they can from the classes," he said.