DL is structured learning that takes place without the physical
presence of an instructor. Mediums and technologies used in DL
include paper-based products, video teletraining (VTT), and Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI).
IMI includes computer-aided instruction,
interactive courseware, electronic publications, electronic tests, electronic guides, and simulations.
Mediums for IMI include,
but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, and CD-ROM. Key attributes may include:
Physical distance between the learner and the instructor.
Sponsorship by an academic institution or functional organization.
Training that is part of a structured curriculum with stated objectives.
Two-way communication capability between the institution and the learner.
Deployability outside the confines of a resident school or campus.
Processes to evaluate learning outcomes.
Who is the primary audience for USMC Distance Learning?
The Marine Corps Distance Learning Program is designed to increase USMC operational readiness by
improving training quality and accessibility for individual Marines (active and reserve) and DOD
civilian employees.
What is Video Teletraining (VTT)?
The Navy/Marine Corps VTT network is a worldwide, real time, multi-point, two-way audio and video distance
learning medium that provides training and conferencing for Sailors, Marines, and government employees.
How do I create a MarineNet account?
If you are a military or DoD individual, start by
creating a new MarineNet account and log
into MarineNet. If you are a civilian or non-DoD individual and you would like a MarineNet account, please see
the policy letter about
requesting a
MarineNet account. Your eligibility information is verified against the Defense Enrollment Eligibility
Reporting System (DEERS). If you are registered in the
DEERS, you will likely have access
to courses on MarineNet.
What Distance Learning courseware is currently or will soon be available?
Does any of the courseware offered count toward college credit?
A list of current courses that offer ACE credit can be retrieved from the Advanced Search feature.
Many of the Business Management courses currently offered in the SkillSoft suite have been
approved for College of Distance Education and Training credit by several academic institutions.
Additional information is available on the SkillSoft
website.
The information technology courses have been grouped into series training to specific
certification tracks (MCSE, Novell, Oracle, Cisco). Additional information is available on the
SkillSoft website.
What criteria is used to determine if a subject is suitable for Distance Learning
application?
The Distance Learning Center Course Content Section administers a formal evaluation procedure for
prospective Distance Learning courses. (View basic
diagram(10 KB))
Whom do I contact for information about creating or converting a course for Distance
Learning?
Contact the College of Distance Education and Training using our main contact
information.
Is USMC Distance Learning courseware accessible over the Internet?
Yes! You may now access MarineNet from any computer connected to the Internet. However, due to the
bandwidth required for our high-quality courses, we highly recommend that you use only a broadband
(Cable, DSL, or Satellite) connection when launching a course. If accessing MarineNet via a dial-up
connection, you will experience lengthy delays during courseware launching and navigation, and your
session is likely to "timeout".
Where can I obtain access to USMC Distance Learning courses?
Access to USMC Distance Learning materials is currently available at five USMC installations and their
associated government computer domains. See the
LRC
Locations page of the MarineNet site for additional information.
What if I'm not located on a base where Distance Learning facilities have been
installed?
Users who are not located on a base or station that has direct access to MarineNet will be
automatically re-directed to the MarineNet Internet server. While you should be able to access
MarineNet from any location that is connected to the Internet, a broadband connection (cable, DSL,
Satellite, etc.) is highly recommended in order to enjoy all of the features of MairneNet's
Interactive MultiMedia Courses. Internet Dial-up users are likely to experience lengthy delays in
course access and navigation, which could lead to a network "timeout" disconnection.
What are the minimum computer requirements necessary to run Distance Learning
courseware?
How do I take a proctored end-of-course exam thru MarineNet?
While it is now possible to access MarineNet from home for instant access to hundreds of USMC training
and education web-based courses, you will still be required to have a designated proctor administer
end-of-course electronic exams (E-Exams).
Proctored E-Exams may be taken at any base/station Learning Resource Center (LRC).
A list of current LRC locations and operating hours is on
the MarineNet website under
LRC
Locations.
Additionally, any individual within your organization's training section (S-3) who has been
designated by the Commanding Officer (CO) or Officer-In-Charge (OIC) as the unit Training Manager (TM)
is authorized to serve as a proctor for MarineNet E-Exams. Your unit CO, OIC, or Training Officer can
contact the MarineNet Help Desk to request a MarineNet
TM account that will allow him/her to serve as a proctor for
E-Exams.
What is the Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP)?
The Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program is a seminar-based program
offered to eligible students from the U.S. and the international community. The
CSCDEP curriculum is
derived from and parallels the Command and Staff College resident curriculum. Every student is
provided a faculty instructor and is guided through the learning via an onsite and/or online seminar.
The program is offered in four venues to maximize opportunities for students to successfully complete
all JPME Phase I and Service
PME requirements within one to two years. The
program content ranges from theory and nature of war to operation planning.
What is the goal of the
CSCDEP?
The intent of the CSCDEP is
to provide officers with an understanding of the relationship among the
strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war within a joint/multinational/interagency
environment. In conjunction with the application of Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) doctrine and
techniques for the changing conditions of warfare, this understanding provides officers with the tools
necessary to critically think and defeat a full spectrum of opponents.
Is the CSCDEP
JPME Accredited?
Yes. The Marine Corps CSCDEP
provides the distance education student with
JPME Phase I instruction. It
incorporates the direction of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, instruction CJCSI 1800.01_, Officer
Professional Military Education Policy (OPMEP) on the learning areas objectives and academic standards.
Additionally, the OPMEP states that the completion of a joint accredited, intermediate level distance
education program will meet JPME Phase I
requirements for assignment to joint duty billets, eligibility for
JPME Phase II, and nomination as a joint
specialty officer (JSO).
Who is eligible to enroll in the
CSCDEP?
The program is available to CWO4/5, O-4 selectees and above in both the active and reserve components
of the armed services, to civilians employed by the Department of Defense (GS-13 and above), and to
approved international military officers. CWO3 and O-3 who have completed
EWSDEP are also eligible
to enroll. Marine Corps E-8s and above who are PME
complete for grade are eligible to submit a waiver request for enrollment into
CSCDEP. For information
regarding waivers, read the
Waiver Request
Process(25 KB).
How do I enroll in the
CSCDEP?
All officers interested in enrolling in
CSCDEP should log into
MarineNet. Once logged in, type in the curriculum code:
8900ZZ in the search field of the Search Catalog located on the tool bar at the top of the screen and
then click the Search Catalog button. Click the Enroll in Course/Curriculum icon
( )
under the actions column to the left of the curriculum to enroll. An enrollment request will be
forwarded to selected region for approval. Additionally, a notice will be displayed under the
student's notifications when any action is taken. Once enrolled, the student will be informed to
contact his or her Regional Coordinator.
SNCO enrollments require an approved waiver. For information regarding waivers, read the
Waiver Request
Process(25 KB).
I'm enrolled in
CSCDEP 8800 with
MCI. Do I need to do anything?
If you are already enrolled in
CSCDEP 8800 with
MCI and would like to complete the program on your own,
there isn't anything you need to do. Please continue to complete the program independently, on your
own time. However, the deadline for this program is 31DEC10 and any courses in the enrolled status will
be disenrolled. If you are disenrolled from 8800 with MCI
due to time expiration or having failed an exam twice, you will need to follow the steps in the above
question to enroll in the program. If you have any questions, please contact
CDET Student Support. For
all other questions pertaining to the administration of the 8800 program (i.e., grades, materials,
exams), please contact the PME Help Desk at
MCI by calling 1-800-624-8762, option 2 at the menu.
I've been disenrolled from
CSCDEP 8800 by
MCI: What do I do?
If you've been disenrolled from
CSCDEP 8800, you will not be
able to re-enroll with MCI. Please follow
the steps above for How to enroll in the
CSCDEP.
Who can I contact if I haven't received or am missing my materials?
If you are currently enrolled in
CSCDEP 8900, having enrolled
through a Regional Coordinator (RC), please contact your
RC.
Some courses require books that are not in the materials from
MCI. How can I obtain these books?
You are required to acquire additional books for the program. One way to get these books is to buy
them. You, as a Marine, can benefit from a number of booksellers that offer a discount to military
members. While you are encouraged to purchase the books and add them to your professional library,
you may borrow books for use during the course.
Can I receive equivalency credit for other courses I have taken?
There are many courses offered throughout the Marine Corps that cover some of the subject areas
included in the Command and Staff Distance Education curriculum. While these courses may parallel the
CSCDEP curriculum,
equivalency can only be granted to those courses that have received Joint
PME accreditation in accordance with CJCSI
1800.01. Currently only the following courses are authorized for equivalency credit:
Naval Post Graduate Course NW 3230 Strategy and Policy: The American Experience is equivalent
to CSCDEP 8901—Theory
and Nature of War
All 8800 courses are equivalent to a portion of the 8900 courses.
Official transcripts are only sent to educational institutions, employers or commands. You may print
off an unofficial copy from your transcript. If you would like an official transcript sent to an
educational institution, employer or command, you may request one via
MarineNet.
How do I launch my
CSCDEP coursework?
All coursework for CSCDEP is
done in CDET's Blackboard System.
After you have completed your coursework within Blackboard, your completion will post to MarineNet.
What is Blackboard, and how do I get an account?
Blackboard is a course management tool used to deliver
CSCDEP course materials,
quizzes, exams, and
online discussions to onsite and online seminar students. The CDET Blackboard site can be found at
http://cdet.blackboard.com. Students use Blackboard to access
online course materials and to take course examinations. Onsite and online seminar students take weekly
quizzes. Online students participate in instructor-lead online discussions.
After a student is enrolled in
CSCDEP on MarineNet, the
Regional Coordinator will have a Blackboard account created for the student. The student will receive
an email containing login information and additional information pertinent to the
CSCDEP program requirements
with regard to Blackboard. Students must save this e-mail.
What is the Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program (EWSDEP)?
The EWSDEP is a distance
learning system designed to meet the needs of the Marine Corps' career level
officers. EWSDEP is a
seminar based program available via onsite or online seminars. It is designed to be completed in a
two-year time frame (students are enrolled and allowed 3 years to complete the program). Additionally,
there is an independent guided studies (IGS) construct that provides Marine captains and CWO-3s an alternative
way to complete their required PME when their Regional
Coordinator determines there is no viable
EWSDEP seminar option.
What is the goal of the
EWSDEP?
This program is designed to prepare captains to function as commanders and staff officers at the
appropriate level within the operating forces by providing instructional emphasis on command and
control, combined arms operations, warfighting skills, tactical decision-making, naval operations,
and MAGTF expeditionary operations.
Who is eligible to enroll in the
EWSDEP?
The EWSDEP is available to
officers (O-3s, O-2s, and CWO2/3s) in both the active and reserve components
of the armed services, to civilians employed by the Department of Defense (GS-12 and above) and to
approved international military officers. Marine Corps E-7s through E-9s who are
PME complete for
grade are eligible to submit a waiver request to enroll in
EWSDEP. Support for SNCOs
requesting an enrollment waiver can be found by reading the
Waiver Request
Process(25 KB).
How do I enroll in the
EWSDEP?
All officers interested in enrolling in the
EWSDEP should log into
MarineNet. Click on 'Search Course Catalog' on the
left-hand menu. Search for
EWSDEP 8650. You will then
need to request enrollment in the program,
being sure that all secondary information, to include your
PME region, is correct. Once you've
submitted the enrollment request on MarineNet, the final step in the enrollment process is to contact
the Regional Coordinator (RC) for your PME region.
The information should appear with your enrollment
request; however, contact information for your RC may also be
found on the CDET's website:
Satellite Campus Locations. Clicking on the state in which you
are stationed will help you determine who will be your Regional Coordinator. Per
MarAdmin 142/07, students
can no longer enroll in
EWSDEP with
MCI. Support for SNCOs requesting an
enrollment waiver can be found by reading the Waiver
Request Process(25 KB).
I'm enrolled in the
EWSDEP 8650 with
MCI. Do I need to do anything?
If you are already enrolled in
EWSDEP 8650 with
MCI and would like to complete the program on your
own, there isn't anything you need to do. Please continue to complete the program independently, on
your own time. However, please be aware of your deadline date. If you are disenrolled from 8650 with
MCI due to time expiration or having failed an exam twice,
you will need to follow the steps in the above question to re-enroll in the program. If you have any
questions, please contact CDET Student Support. For all
other questions pertaining to the administration of the 8650 program with
MCI (i.e., grades, materials, exams),
please contact the PME Help Desk at
MCI by calling 1-800-624-8762, option 2 at the menu.
I've been disenrolled from
EWSDEP 8650 by
MCI: What do I do?
If you've been disenrolled from
EWSDEP 8650, you will not
be able to re-enroll with MCI. Please follow
the steps above for how to enroll in the
EWSDEP.
Who can I contact if I haven't received or am missing my materials?
If you are currently enrolled in
EWSDEP 8650 with
MCI, please contact the
MCI
PME Help Desk at
1-800-624-8762, option 2 at the menu, with questions about materials.
If you are currently enrolled in
EWSDEP 8650, having been
enrolled through a Regional Coordinator (RC),
please contact your
RC.
Can I receive equivalency credit for other courses I have taken?
There are no courses approved for equivalent credit for the
EWSDEP.
How do I obtain an official transcript?
If you would like an official transcript, you may request one via MarineNet.
Do any of the courses offered count toward college credit?
The Office of Educational Credit of the American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated courses of
the EWS DEP and recommends the following (ACE identifier MC-1717-0015):
In the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in technical
writing, 3 in introduction to communications, and 6 in military science.
In the upper-division baccalaureate category, 3 semester hours in leadership, 3 in operations
research, and 6 in management (theory and application).
In the graduate degree category, 3 in personnel management, 3 in project planning, 3 in
wargaming or military strategy and tactics, and 3 in command and control or information
management (10/05).
While most colleges and universities accept the ACE recommendations concerning credit hours, each
college or university determines the credit hours it will award.
Enroll in the Leading Marines Curriculum on MarineNet.
Enrollment in the curriculum will automatically enroll the Marine in the four sub-courses.
How do I complete the curriculum?
Complete each course and prepare for end-of-course exams. The student may take the courses in any
order, but it is recommended that the student progress in the following order:
Developing Leaders (EPME 3010AA)
Leadership Tools (EPME 3020AA)
Counselling, Coaching, and Mentoring (EPME 3030AA)
Command and Military Organization (EPME 3040AA)
Complete the end-of-course exams. Upon completion of each course, a multiple choice exam will be
made available to the student through MarineNet. All end-of-course exams will require a proctor.
Successful completion of all four courses will result in completion of the Leading Marines Distance
Education Program (EPME 3000AA).
What is the passing score for an end-of-course exam?
You must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the end-of-course exams to pass.
What will happen if I fail an end-of-course exam?
You will have three attempts to pass each exam. Failing an exam
one time will result in a 12 hour remediation period to
allow you to review materials before reattempting the exam.
A second failure will result in a 24 hour remediation period. The third failure will result in disenrollment from the
curriculum and you will not be able to reenroll for a period of one week.
Who can proctor exams?
All learning resource center (LRC) facilitators can proctor Leading Marines DEP
exams. Additionally, any Marine Staff Sergeant or above and senior in rank to the student can proctor the Leading Marines
DEP exams as long as they are not also enrolled in the Leading Marines
DEP. For special cases, the role of proctor may be granted for individuals
even if not current MarineNet users. This role is primarily used to provide proctoring capability for students who do not have access to
LRC facilities or other traditional proctors due to location. For assistance
with a special proctor, contact the MarineNet Help Desk.
Who is eligible to enroll in the Leading Marines
DEP?
The course is open to all Marines.
If I have already completed the Leading Marines
MCI can I also complete the Leading Marines
DEP?
Yes, you are encouraged to enroll in and complete the new DEP.
The content is different enough that the Marine will receive an additional 15 self-education bonus points.
Will Marines receive self-education bonus points toward promotion for completion of
the curriculum?
Yes, fifteen (15) self-education bonus points will be awarded for the completion of the Leading Marines
DEP. Self-education bonus points are only given for the
completion of the entire program and not for the individual sub-courses. Consequently, once all four
sub-courses are complete, Marines will be awarded 15 self-education bonus points toward their composite
score.
I was automatically disenrolled from the Leading Marines
MCI. What should I do?
Enroll in and complete the new Leading Marines DEP on MarineNet.
Will completing the Leading Marines
DEP satisfy the Professional Military Education (PME) requirement
for Lance Corporals?
Yes, the Leading Marines DEP is a replacement for the Leading
Marines MCI and satisfies the PME requirement for Lance Corporals.
Is the Leading Marines course a promotion requirement to corporal?
Yes, Leading Marines is the PME requirement for lance
corporals for promotion to corporal. Marines may either complete the Leading Marines MCI 0037 or the Leading
Marines Distance Education Program (DEP) available on MarineNet. However, per MARADMIN 640/10, effective
1 July 2011, the Leading Marines MCI will be discontinued. Therefore, all new enrollments after this date must
be in the Leading Marines DEP.
How long do I have to complete the Leading Marines
DEP course?
You have 365 days or one year to complete the Leading Marines
DEP course.
You enroll in the EPME7000AA Advanced Course DEP on
MarineNet. Once you are logged into MarineNet you
can find the Advanced Course DEP in two ways. First, you can
type the course code (EPME7000AA) in the Search Catalog window. When the EMPME 7000AA Curriculum is presented,
select the Enroll in the Course/Curriculum icon. Second, you can browse the course catalog; within the course
catalog, the Advanced Course DEP can be found in the following
location:
Professional Military Education (PME) --> Enlisted --> Advanced Course Distance Education Program.
Once you have located the curriculum, scroll to the bottom of the Curriculum Details page and select the Enroll
icon. Either way, enrollment in the curriculum will automatically enroll the Marine in the five sub-courses.
How do I complete the curriculum?
Complete each course and then prepare for the end-of-course exams. The student may take the courses in
any order, but it is recommended that the student progress in the following sequence:
Administration (EPME7100AA)
Training (EPME7200AA)
Warfighting I (EPME7300AA)
Warfighting II (EPME7310AA)
Leadership (EPME7400AA)
Complete the end-of-course exams. Upon completion of each course, an exam will be made available to the
student through MarineNet. All end-of-course exams will require a proctor.
Successful completion of all five courses will result in completion of the Advanced Course (EPME7000AA)
DEP curriculum.
How many hours of instruction are contained in the Advanced Course
DEP?
There are 48 hours of instruction in the Advanced Course DEP.
What types of assessments are contained in this curriculum?
Each course will have non-graded comprehension checks to ensure you have an understanding of the topics. At the
end of each lesson you will have an ungraded quiz. Once you have completed an entire course and have prepared,
you may take the graded end of course examination.
What is the passing score for an end-of-course exam?
You must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the end-of-course exams to pass.
What will happen if I fail an end-of-course exam?
You will have three attempts to pass each exam. Failing an
exam one time will result in a 12 hour remediation period to allow you to review materials before reattempting the
exam. A second failure will result in a 24 hour remediation period. The third failure will result in disenrollment
from the curriculum and you will not be able to reenroll for a period of one week.
Who can proctor exams?
All learning resource center (LRC) facilitators can proctor Advanced Course DEP
exams. Additionally, any Marine senior in rank to the student can proctor the Advanced Course
DEP exams as long as they are not also enrolled in the Advanced Course
DEP. For special cases, the role of proctor may be granted for individuals
even if not current MarineNet users. This role is primarily used to provide proctoring capability for students who do not
have access to LRC facilities or other traditional proctors due to location.
For assistance with a special proctor, contact the MarineNet Help Desk.
Do I have to disenroll from the
MCI before I can enroll in the new Advanced Course
DEP on MarineNet?
No, you can be enrolled in both simultaneously. Completion of either one will meet the
PME requirement for attending the resident
SNCOA and will be reported automatically to
MCTFS. Gunnery Sergeants who complete the Advanced Course
MCI will be eligible until 30 Jun 2013 to attend the resident
SNCOA.
Who is eligible to enroll in the Advanced Course
DEP?
The course is available to Gunnery Sergeants and above in both the active and reserve components of the Marine Corps.
Those Marines who have been selected for promotion to Gunnery Sergeant will also be eligible to enroll.
Why can't Staff Sergeants enroll in the course?
At this time, enrollment is limited to Gunnery Sergeants and above to ensure that Marines receive the most up-to-date
course content aligned with the resident SNCOA experience.
The curriculum was open to include Gunnery Sergeant selects who are motivated to complete their
PME requirements as early as possible in preparation for
promotion. Upon completion of the Advance Course DEP, Gunnery
Sergeants will have one year to attend the resident Advanced Course.
If I have already completed the Advanced Course
MCI, can I also complete the Advance Course
DEP?
Yes, you are encouraged to enroll in and complete the new Advanced Course
DEP. The curriculum is different from the previous courses and contains
the most up to date information.
If I am already enrolled in the Advanced Course
MCI, what should I do?
You have two options. You can enroll in and complete the new Advanced Course DEP
on MarineNet or complete the MCI. Marines who choose to complete the
MCI will have until 30 June 2012 to complete before being automatically disenrolled.
Marines that complete the Advanced Course MCI by 30 June 2012 will be considered
eligible to attend the resident SNCOA until 30 June 2013.
What happens if I have completed the Advanced Course
MCI and I am unable to attend the resident
SNCOA by 30 June 2013?
You will be required to reenroll and complete the Advanced Course DEP.
Will completing the Advanced Course
DEP satisfy the Professional Military Education
(PME) requirement for promotion?
No, the Advanced Course DEP replaces the Advanced Course
MCI and satisfies the PME
requirement for eligibility to attend the resident SNCOA.
Completion of both the DEP and resident curriculum satisfies the
PME requirement for promotion to Master Sergeant or First Sergeant.
How long do I have to complete the Advanced Course
DEP curriculum?
You have 365 days or one year to complete the Advanced Course DEP curriculum.
Once complete, you will have one year to attend the resident
SNCOA course.
What happens if I am unable to attend the resident
SNCOA course within the one year time
limit?
You will be required to reenroll and complete the Advanced Course DEP.
You can enroll in the Corporals Course DEP (EPME4000AA) on MarineNet.
There are two ways to locate the Corporals Course DEP on MarineNet.
First, you can type the course code (EPME4000AA) in the Search Catalog window. When the
EPME 4000AA Curriculum is presented, select the "Enroll
in the Course/Curriculum" icon. Second, you can browse the course catalog; within the course catalog, the Corporals
Course DEP can be found in the following location:
Professional Military Education (PME) --> Enlisted --> Corporals Course Distance Education Program.
Once you have located the curriculum, scroll to the bottom of the Curriculum Details page and select the Enroll
icon. Either way, enrollment in the curriculum will automatically enroll the Marine in the seven sub-courses.
How do I complete the curriculum?
Complete each sub-course and then prepare for the end-of-course exams. The student may take the sub-courses
in any order.
Complete the proctored end-of-course exams. Upon completion of each sub-course, an exam will be made available
to the student through MarineNet.
Successful completion of all seven sub-courses will result in completion of the Corporals Course (EPME4000AA)
DEP curriculum.
How many hours of instruction are contained in the Corporals Course
DEP?
Marines will spend approximately 30 hours completing the Corproals Course DEP.
This includes the time needed to study the content, complete the exercises, and take the end of course exams.
What types of assessments are contained in this curriculum?
Each sub-course will have non-graded comprehension checks to ensure you have an understanding of the topics. At the end of
each lesson you will have an ungraded quiz with feedback provided. Once you have completed an entire sub-course and have
prepared, you may take the graded end-of-course examination.
What is the passing score for an end-of-course exam?
You must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the end-of-course exams to pass.
What will happen if I fail an end-of-course exam?
You will have three attempts to pass each exam. Failing an exam one
time will result in a 12 hour remediation period to allow you to review materials before reattempting the exam. A second
failure will result in a 24 hour remediation period. The third failure will result in disenrollment from the curriculum and
you will not be able to reenroll for a period of one week.
Who can proctor exams?
Any learning resource center (LRC) facilitator can proctor Corporals Course DEP
exams. Additionally, any Marine senior in rank to the student can proctor the Corporals Course
DEP exams as long as they are not also enrolled in the Corporals Course
DEP. For special cases, the role of proctor may be granted for individuals,
even if not current MarineNet users. This role is primarily used to provide proctoring capability for students who do not have
access to LRC facilities or other traditional proctors due to location. For
assistance with a special proctor, contact the MarineNet Help Desk.
Does the Corporal Course DEP replace
the requirement for the command-sponsored Corporals Course?
No. Both will be stand-alone courses with inter-related materials. They will become a promotion requirement
after 1 Oct 2013 and Marines are encouraged to complete both as in the Sergeants Course model.
The school of thought is that you cannot replace the face time instruction and the intangible benefits for both instructor and
student even with interactive software. The command-sponsored course is still encouraged to build cohesion in the unit and
develop the newest non-commissioned officers while the instructors are imbued with setting the examples in and out of the classroom.
However, completion of one or the other will be the future promotion requirement. The
DEP fills the gap when command operations tempo negates the ability to conduct a
course in a reasonable time after promotion.
Is completion of the Corporals Course DEP
required for promotion to Sergeant?
In accordance with ALMAR 026/10, completion of either a command-sponsored or non-resident Corporals Course will become a
requirement for promotion to sergeant, but not until after 1 Oct 2013. The official date will
be communicated via MARADMIN. Marines that complete the Corporals Course DEP
or have attended a command-sponsored Corporals Course will be considered PME
complete for in grade.
Can Marines complete both courses?
Yes. Marines are encouraged to complete both courses. Our newest non-commissioned officers and their commands are well
served by a command-sponsored Corporals Course. It provides an opportunity to learn with their peers, leveraging the experience
and expertise of the unit's best NCOs and
SNCOs to help prepare these new Corporals to take their place in the
leadership team while passing on the customs, traditions, and values which sustain the Corps' heritage.
Individual Marines are also encouraged to complete the Corporals Course DEP.
Completion of the DEP will prepare them to take full advantage of the precious
time that commanders have invested in their resident opportunity while reinforcing lessons learned. The
DEP will also be available as a ready reference after the course is completed.
In the event the Marine does not have the opportunity to attend a command-sponsored course, they will leverage the
DEP educational experience to provide additional leadership development and
warfighting skills that will help prepare them to deal with issues facing today's Corps.
If I have already completed a command-sponsored Corporals Course, can I complete the
Corporals Course DEP?
Yes. You are encouraged to enroll in and complete the Corporals Course DEP.
If I have already completed a command-sponsored Corporals Course, do I have to complete
the Corporals Course DEP?
No, but you are encouraged to do so.
Will completing the Corporals Course DEP
satisfy the Professional Military Education (PME) requirement for promotion?
To provide commands and individual Marines the time to manage their education requirements, neither the command-sponsored
Corporals Course nor the Corporals Course DEP will be required for promotion
to Sergeant until after 1 Oct 2013. The official date will be communicated via MARADMIN.
Marines that do complete the Corporals Course DEP or attend a command-sponsored
Corporals Course will be considered PME complete in grade.
How long do I have to complete the Corporals Course
DEP curriculum?
You have 365 days or one year to complete the Corporals Course DEP curriculum.
What is the U.S. Army War College Distance Education Course (USAWCDEC)?
The Army War College Distance Education Course is one of two distance education Top Level Schools open
to Marine Officers. The program, 2 years in length, consists of preparatory reading, 11 correspondence
sub-courses, and two mandatory 2-week resident phases at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. The
course begins in July, with the first resident session held the following June, and the final resident
session held one year later at the end of the course. The program requires a significant commitment of
time and effort.
The College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) produces a MARADMIN each academic year soliciting
applications from interested Active Duty officers. Required information should be submitted directly
to the CDET by letter, fax, or email, as listed in the MARADMIN.
What are the prerequisites to apply to the
USAWCDEC?
Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel (non-waiverable)
15-25 years of commissioned service as of the starting date of the course
Secret clearance
Successful completion of an intermediate-level resident or distance education
PME course
Battalion/Squadron level command experience is desired, but not required
In what format should applications be submitted?
Name, Rank, SSN/MOS
Current Military mailing Address
Years Commissioned Service
Security Clearance Information
ILS Completed/Date
Background Information: i.e., current billet, DCTB, command time
What is the deadline for submitting applications?
Deadlines are determined each academic year and are published in that year's MARADMIN.
If I have been previously disenrolled, am I eligible to reapply?
No. Officers previously accepted and then disenrolled are not eligible to reapply.
Is funding available to attend the
USAWCDEC's summer sessions?
Limited funding is available for travel and per diem in order to attend summer session. Funding is
available on a first-come, first-served basis. Funded travel is restricted to within CONUS only. All
personnel coming from commands outside the U.S. will be responsible for travel from parent command to
a U.S. port of entry and return.
When do I need to request funding?
Submit funding requests to CDET in March of the academic year when travel will be needed.
How do Reservists apply to the
USAWCDEC?
Reserve officers (other than AR) will be selected for participation in this program by a separate
reserve officer PME board action. HQMC (RAM)
should be contacted for reserve selection details.
POC for reserve selection is Maj Thomas A. Boggs: (703) 784-0531, DSN 278-0531,
thomas.a.boggs@usmc.mil.
Will I receive graduate credit and/or a graduate degree upon completion of the
course?
The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes up to 36 semester hours of graduate university
credit upon completion of this rigorous program.
A Master of Strategic Studies degree will be awarded by AWC for those who possess an undergraduate
degree.
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under the actions column to the left of the curriculum to enroll. An enrollment request will be
forwarded to selected region for approval. Additionally, a notice will be displayed under the
student's notifications when any action is taken. Once enrolled, the student will be informed to
contact his or her 