MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Marine Corps University regional coordinator made a visit to the Station Aug. 25-27 to promote officer's professional military education.
Retired Marine Corps Col. James Hopkins began his visit by meeting with faculty members and passing out information on the mandatory PME courses for captains and majors.
With the courses starting the first of October, Hopkins made his annual visit to provide academic and administration services to officers in the program.
"There are two courses that officers are required to take. Captains need to go through both phases of the Expeditionary Warfare School, and majors are required to attend the Command and Staff College," said Hopkins.
"The courses are offered in two different ways, correspondence and by seminar," he added. "We are trying to encourage the officers to lean toward the seminar courses, because it gives them an opportunity to voice their opinion and ask questions. The seminars are taught by experienced facilitators that know a great deal about the subjects."
Three senior officers from the Station will teach the students courses. Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer, will teach Warfighting Principles and Concepts in the Headquarters conference room beginning Oct. 20. Lt. Col. Phillip King, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer, will teach the Nature and Theory of War seminar beginning Oct. 1, while Lt. Col. Dale Houck, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 commanding officer, will conduct the Marine Air Ground Task Force Operations Ashore seminar.
"The courses are a major benefit as a time saver. With the seminars being here we do not have to lose all of our officers, and they can still perform their primary military occupational specialty while going through the courses," said Houck. "We need to have well-rounded officers in the Marine Corps, and these courses are a major step in teaching all of the officers the different tools that they will need in order to effectively lead their troops."