Airmen tackle the Corporals Course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Saphfire D. Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Six D-M Airmen recently decided to diversify their leadership training by participating in the Marine Corps' Corporals Course.

Transitioning to the rank of noncommissioned officer is an important step in a military career. It is a follower's evolution to leader, and the undertaking of a whole new spectrum of responsibilities. This leap requires further training, and each branch designs its leadership course to reflect the duties assigned to its NCOs, therefore each course is different.

The Corporals Course was a two-week program consisting of classroom lecture at the Kennedy Professional Development Center, hands-on instruction at the Small Arms Range and vigorous physical training around the base.

Senior Airman Alain Alfaro, 923rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Senior Airman David Marshall, 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Senior Airman Alexander Rodman, 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Senior Airman Chad Smith, 355th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Senior Airman Ryan Vottero, 355th Security Forces Squadron, and Senior Airman Michael Ziegman, 55th Electronic Combat Group were chosen from a pool of Airmen hand-picked by their squadrons to participate.

"It was a honor to be selected for the Corporals Course and to train along side of our fellow service members," Airman Smith said.

For 14 days these Airmen immersed themselves in the customs and courtesies of the United States Marine Corps.

"It was different, but it was exciting," Airman Smith said. "I know that anyone who has the opportunity to train with a different branch of the military will gain a greater respect and knowledge of that branch, and we Airmen learned a lot from the experience."

One big difference was the physical training, held at 4:45 a.m. every morning.

"We did a lot of carries," Airman Vottero said. "Carrying another grown man over your shoulder is hard work, but we motivated each other and we had a good time."

Their motivation paid off and all six Airmen graduated the Corporals Course June 14 with academic honors. Airman Rodman also received accolades for achieving the highest PT score on the class's first fitness test.

"I learned a lot about Marine Corps tradition and brotherhood," Airman Vottero said. "I hope that I can take a blend of Airman Leadership School and Corporals Course back to the Airmen I supervise and show them the traditions and the honor that we have in the Air Force."