E-4 leaders graduate from Marine Corps Element’s Joint Corporal’s Course

Twenty U.S. service members completed the Joint Service Corporals’ Leadership Development Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on June 3.



By Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Djibouti Jun 10, 2017
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 12 images

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti-- Twenty U.S. service members completed the Joint Service Corporals’ Leadership Development Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on June 3.

As a dual effort of the Marine Corps Element and Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), the Corporals’ Leadership Development Course is a professional military education program traditionally for Marine Corps Corporals that places emphasis on basic leadership skills.  

The intent of the course is to equip and prepare Marines to smartly transition from subordinates to small unit leaders. During this course, Corporals gain insight on key facets of their new grade and responsibilities and are thus prepared to take on future leadership challenges.

The students received more than 120 hours of instruction throughout the course of 16 days. The curriculum included various subjects like customs and traditions, land navigation, communications, social media interaction, leadership, and combat fitness.

The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate.

“I was interested in participating in the Corporal’s Course because I wanted to enhance my leadership skills and witness how other branches produce their leaders,” said U.S. Army Spc. Justice Lee, CJTF-HOA information management office technician. “I loved the course. My instructors pushed me to reach my potential physically and mentally and I learned that I can achieve more than I originally thought."

The benefits of completing the course in a joint environment reach far beyond the course material. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ralph Rizzo, CJTF-HOA director of logistics, expounded upon these sentiments for the graduates during the ceremony.

“You have been given an amazing opportunity,” said Rizzo. “Aside from just being in the joint environment, the biggest thing you have been given is the network that you have just built with all the other future leaders you completed the course with. Take that network and use it your advantage to aid in your continuous leadership development.”

The next opportunity for junior enlisted service members to participate in the Marine Corps Corporal’s Course is scheduled for mid-July. Contact the Marine Corps Element for further details.

More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.
Read more
Humans of HOA spotlight - Spc. Brittany Arthur
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Read more
Battlefield Circulation to BMA, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
Read more
More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.
Read more
Humans of HOA spotlight - Spc. Brittany Arthur
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Read more
Battlefield Circulation to BMA, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
Read more
More in Media Room
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.
Read more
Humans of HOA spotlight - Spc. Brittany Arthur
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Read more
Battlefield Circulation to BMA, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
Read more