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The Marine Corps trains its service members to exude a
multitude of traits and characteristics in order to be
effective war fighters, whether it be deployed to foreign
countries or in garrison. One of the most basic, yet
important traits a Marine must display is the ability to be
a leader among leaders. The Squad Leader Development Program
is one of the newest approaches the Marine Corps uses to
professionalize, grow and sustain leadership in the infantry
community.
Marines with 1st Marine Division gathered
for an SLDP conference promoting the program and discussing
some of the changes it has gone through for the new fiscal
year, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California,
Jan. 20, 2016.
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A Marine squad leader assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security during a company-level assault, as part of combined arms live-fire, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin exercise, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 18, 2016. Infantry squad leaders holding the rank of corporal or sergeant can apply now for the recently updated Squad Leader Development Program, and earn the new military occupational specialty of 0365 - Infantry Squad Leader if selected from the pool of applicants.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Will Perkins)
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The program stems directly from Gen.
Joseph F. Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
former commandant of the Marine Corps, and his desire to
find dedicated and talented noncommissioned officers to fill
leadership roles within the operating forces. What the
program particularly focuses on is small unit leadership in
infantry battalions.
The SLDP provides accepted
infantry Marines with the guaranteed opportunity to take
part in advanced training courses and required professional
military educational courses. Once accepted into the
program, Marines can choose from two paths: They can elect
to stay in the operating forces or they can serve in a
combat instructor special duty assignment.
“We are
the only [military occupational specialty] to have this
opportunity,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Knapp, the 1st
Marine Division operations chief. “SLDP gives you the
opportunity to open up your brain and leave your comfort
zone. This program is one of the reasons why we are the best
trained organization.”
He also said, without the
right quality noncommissioned officers and staff
noncommissioned officers to fill the necessary leadership
billets the Marine Corps fighting force requires, our
readiness and effectiveness as the nation's rapid response
force diminishes. Overall, the SLDP ensures small unit
leaders are given both the tools required to operate at a
high level and enough time in a unit to walk their squad
through an entire deployment cycle.
The program has
gone through numerous changes since its origin to help
entice Marines into taking full advantage of the
opportunities presented. The main changes made to the
program were to the two career route options.
The
option guaranteeing infantry Marines the opportunity to stay
in a deployable battalion allows them to re-enlist or extend
their contracts for as little as 18 months or as long as 60.
The combat instructor option requires Marines to re-enlist
for at least 48 months, but at least 30 of those will be
served on a special duty assignment before returning to the
operating forces.
Either career track will earn
selected Marines the MOS of infantry squad leader.
Corporals selected for the program earn an automatic
promotion to sergeant and all participants are guaranteed a
spot in the competitive Small Unit Leaders Course and
Sergeants Resident Course. They can also collect cash
bonuses; sometimes double the going rate for a regular
infantry re-enlistment.
Although the program presents
Marines with the opportunity to become more experienced
leaders and ultimately progress their careers, the selection
process is very stringent.
“In the Marine Corps, you
either lead, follow or get out of the way,” said Chief
Warrant Officer 5 Vincent Kyzer, the Division Gunner. “We
don't want the bottom 10 percent, we want the best. We want
the superstars who are the most capable.”
After
being accepted into the program, Marines must complete all
the designated training courses while continuing to uphold
and maintain Marine Corps leadership standards.
Overall, SLDP presents Marines with the chance to not only
improve their own careers, but to gain the experience and
tools to mold their subordinates into better leaders for the
future and become reliable small unit leaders commanders can
depend on.
“When I was a lieutenant, guys like you
helped me [get] here today,” said Lt. Col. Rafael
Candelario, the 5th Marine Regiment executive officer.
“Sergeants and corporals who later became staff sergeants
and gunnies all started out where you guys are right now.”
“You Marines have a lot of potential and this program
can help you reach it,” he continued. “I would ask you to
look at what you have to offer the Marine Corps and what the
Marine Corps has to offer you. They offer a lot if you
accept it.”
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Demetrius Morgan
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
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