United States Marine Corps College of Distance Education and Training

Enlisted Professional Military Education
Advanced Course
Distance Education Program

The Advanced Course Distance Education Program (DEP) places emphasis on warfighting and leadership skills necessary for a Gunnery Sergeant of Marines to function in a wide variety of combat and non-combat roles. This course of instruction is designed to be a precursor to the resident course experience in order to place the students on a common level of understanding regardless of military occupational specialty. It contains five courses divided into 18 lessons. The Advanced Course DEP will enhance the students' knowledge of the United States Marine Corps and the strategy behind how we train, fight, and win.

Upon completion of this course of instruction the student will be able to better support the organizational values of the Marine Corps and their unit, increase their ability to influence the command climate, properly adhere to administrative and legal procedures within the organization, and conduct a variety of combat operational roles such as company Gunnery Sergeant or watch officer in a MAGTF or joint operating environment.

This DEP is divided into five courses available as a MarineNet Curriculum (EPME7000AA):

Administration (EPME7100AA)

A Gunnery Sergeant of Marines is called upon to perform a variety of legal and administrative duties outside of their specified military occupational field in support of their command. The Administration and Communication course will provide the Gunnery Sergeant with a comprehensive understanding of the administrative and legal aspects of those collateral duties.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate improved quality in editing and writing naval correspondence, supervise and conduct an appropriate search and seizure, and properly support the commanding officer in the conduct of a command investigation.

Training (EPME7200AA)

This course, Training, will focus on the development of a unit's mission essential tasks and their application to its training concepts and design. This course provides a structured look at how training requirements are created and published to increase individual and unit readiness. The information contained within this course will provide a clear understanding of the expectations placed on the individual Marine for career progression and the unit for combat readiness.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to create an efficient and effective annual training program that meets the needs of their command and their Marines. The student will have a common understanding of the fundamentals of a unit readiness program, how to use training and readiness manuals, and the conduct of initial training assessments in support of the mission essential task list.

Warfighting I (EPME7300AA)

Warfighting I, contains the upper level intricacies of strategy and concept in relation to military organization and operations. It provides an inside look into the planning process for developing a wide range of service, joint, combined, and interagency operations. The emphasis of this course is on the role of the Marine Corps within the Department of Defense and the use of our military to meet national strategy.

Upon completion of this course the student will have an understanding of the Marine Corps Planning Process and be able to participate in the development of courses of action using the Marine Corps Planning Process. Additionally, this course will enhance the student's ability to operate and collaborate in a joint, combined, and interagency environment with a comprehensive knowledge of the Marine Corps capabilities. The student will further be able to interpret a wide range of common military terms and graphics in order to serve in higher level assignments within the military organization.

Warfighting II (EPME7310AA)

Warfighting II will provide a complete understanding of the functionality of a combat operations center. Its focus is on the tactical level of warfare providing a holistic understanding of offensive and defensive operational strategies with supporting knowledge of the mutual benefits of close air support. The course provides the student the opportunity to look inside a Combat Operations Center in order to gain an understanding of the various aspects of Command and Control.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to analyze and support various aspects of offensive and defensive operational roles, distinguish variations in fixed wing and rotary wing close air support while preparing and delivering a close air support request, and fulfill a variety of roles within a combat operational center.

Leadership (EPME7400AA)

The Leadership course emphasizes the organizational leadership aspects of being a senior level staff non-commissioned officer in a military organization. It emphasizes developing personal influence and its impact on the command climate at all levels while exploring how to reduce organizational challenges. In this course the student will explore the human adaptive ability to deal with the lasting effects of the nature of war and how to assist in rehabilitating the negative impacts. It provides valuable insight into the execution of military justice.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to associate their own leadership philosophies with that of the organization, reduce organizational and individual challenges that exist within the command climate, develop their own professional sphere of influence, and provide guidance and support for those negatively impacted by combat and non-combat related operational commitments.

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