CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- As the drawdown occurs in the Marine Corps, those who want to have a long and successful career need to place themselves above their peers.
The option to attend a seven-week resident professional military education course at a regionally based staff noncommissioned officers' academy offers NCOs and staff NCOs a chance to better themselves, become more competitive for promotion, and become better leaders of Marines.
"I think it is important for all Marines to attend their resident PME at each level in order to better equip (themselves) for mentoring their junior Marines and advising their seniors," said Sgt. Maj. James N. Calbough, director of the Okinawa SNCO Academy, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. "Resident PME will enhance their leadership abilities, increase their overall effectiveness and sharpen their critical thinking skills."
The Okinawa SNCO Academy is one of six academies spread throughout Marine Corps installations and has educated 989 service members in fiscal year 2012 alone.
The purpose of the SNCO Academy is to provide SNCOs of demonstrated potential with the requisite education and leadership training to enhance their professional qualifications in preparation for assuming duties of greater responsibility and for making greater contributions to the Corps.
"Since resident PME is not required for promotion to staff sergeant and gunnery sergeant, successful completion will definitely set them apart," said Calbough. "The promotion manual states ‘Promotion is not a reward for past performance but more importantly it is an expectation of future performance.' Improving oneself through PME shows initiative and drive, and the exposure you gain from seven weeks surrounded by your peers assists in preparing you for unexpected challenges that will arise."
"I expect the course to teach us how to be better leaders and to help our Marines to become better leaders," said Sgt. Samantha K. Ogden, a student in the sergeants' course. "(I definitely) want to take what I learned here back to my Marines."
Subjects range from combat conditioning and unit readiness planning to writing awards and operations orders. The styles of instruction at the academy are as various as the courses being taught and the faculty advisors who teach them.
"Group discussions are my favorite teaching format," said Gunnery Sgt. Billy R. Gillenwater, a career course faculty advisor with the academy. "I like it when the class gets involved, gives input, and asks questions."
During the academy, students can build a network of contacts from various job fields, learn new skills to improve themselves and their section, and experience intense physical training sessions. However, the most important takeaway from this experience is leadership, according to Calbough.
"Whether through classroom instruction, combat conditioning, guest lecturers or peer exposure, it is the one area that every Marine can increase (in)," said Calbough. "This aides their commanders in mission accomplishment and gives them tools to provide guidance and mentorship to those that look to them for direction."