Forty-nine Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, successfully completed the battalion’s first Lance Corporal Seminar June 5, 2015, aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

As of October 1, 2015, all lance corporals in the Corps will have to complete the seminar to attain the rank of corporal, as well as completing the online course ‘Leading Marines’.
“Leadership is not about [your job in the Corps],” said Sgt. Maj. Brian Alsleben, Sgt. Maj. of the battalion and the guest speaker at the graduation. “It’s about that eagle, globe and anchor that you wear.”

The Marines, all lance corporals from different companies in the battalion, completed the five-day course which included classes on leadership and ethics. The Marines were split into five squads led either by a sergeant or a staff sergeant who conducted guided discussions and supervised classwork.
The periods of instruction taught during the seminar are similar to the future courses the Marines will take as non-commissioned officers.

“Who learned at least one thing while you were in lance corporal seminar?” Alsleben asked to the graduating Marines.

Every Marine in the class raised their hand.

“That’s all of you,” Alsleben said. “That knowledge is going to help those Marines that you lead, and if you can take care of those Marines, I guarantee you they will always take care of you.”