04/13/2026
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen participated in a command–sponsored Corporals Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, bringing together service members from across the joint force for a condensed leadership program hosted by the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), Feb. 9 to 24, 2026.
According to Marine Sgt. Maj. Sean Blue, VMM-162 senior enlisted leader, the Corporals Course is a foundational professional military education program for Marines entering the noncommissioned officer corps at the E-4 rank. While all Marines are expected to lead, noncommissioned officers are specifically charged with leading junior enlisted personnel and setting standards for performance and conduct.
The two–week course covered leadership fundamentals, land navigation, physical fitness, close–quarter drills, and military customs and traditions. Unlike traditional iterations, this course included participants from multiple branches, creating a joint training environment that emphasized interoperability and shared understanding of leadership across services, according to Blue.
Spc. Andrew Yau, Joint Network Control Center watch analyst, Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa, said he was motivated to attend after learning about the opportunity from his peers.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to cross-train in a PME course from another branch,” Yau said. “Learning what it means to be an NCO from their perspective and how to better work with them was a big draw.”
Spc. Liam Liacos, JNCC watch analyst, CTJF–HOA, said the joint environment helped broaden his understanding of leadership and communication across services.
“It’s important to learn how other branches operate, especially in a joint environment,” Liacos said. “You need to understand how they function so you can work effectively together.”
Participants said the course was physically demanding, particularly during the first week, which included circuit training, distance runs and a four–mile cadence run. Physical training differed from Army standards, emphasizing individual effort within a collective structure.
“The PT pushed you to your own limits while still holding the group accountable,” Liacos said.
Beyond physical training, students spent several hours each day in classroom instruction followed by practical applications, including drill movements with guidons and USMC NCO Sword Manual skills less commonly emphasized in Army training. Yau said one of the most valuable aspects of the course was the opportunity to exchange perspectives on leadership.
“They broke down what’s expected of an NCO in a very detailed way,” he said.
Liacos added that the course emphasized developing individual skill sets.
“It reinforced how to do more with less and how to focus on developing individuals while still accomplishing the mission,” he said.
The joint composition of the course also exposed participants to differences in communication methods, including hand–and–arm signals, highlighting the importance of understanding service–specific practices in operational environments.
Both soldiers said they would recommend the course to others preparing for leadership roles.
“It’s an eye–opener,” Liacos said. “It puts you in the mindset of working with other branches which helps you adapt quickly in a joint environment.”
Due to operational demands and limited personnel, the course was condensed from its traditional length to two weeks, allowing participants to return to their units while still gaining key leadership development.
Participants returned to their primary duties following completion of the course, applying lessons learned to support ongoing joint operations in the Horn of Africa.
“The ability to communicate and understand the diverse perspectives and operational methods of sister services is a significant benefit of such joint training initiatives,” said Blue.
