MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Service members and civilians gathered to honor the Corporals Course graduates at the station chapel here May 29. Marines who took the course were taught and tested, mentally and physically, for 21 days.
“The course weeded out the weak and strengthened the strong,” said Cpl. Marquiez L. Allen, a student who took the course after being meritoriously promoted.
Allen wasn’t kidding; the class began May 4 with 28 students and ended with only 18.
“Some Marines were dropped because of physical training, but most didn’t make it because of the academics,” said Cpl. Christopher M. Dunton, whose grades throughout the course earned him the title of honor graduate.
The course went beyond academics to include physical training, drill, sword manual and uniform inspections.
“The Marines we graduated deserved to be here,” said Staff Sgt. Tony S. Kimmanee, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the Corporals Course.
Sgt. Maj. David J. Wimberly echoed Kimmanee’s opinions in his speech, saying it was about quality over quantity.
After Wimberly’s speech, guest speaker Sgt. Christopher Repreza lectured on the importance and significance of the noncommissioned officer creed, which the corporals had to memorize during the course.
Kimmanee said he was proud of the entire class but dually noted there were a few who stood out.
Dunton earned the title as the honor graduate for achieving a grade point average of 94.71 percent. He received an NCO sword and certificate of commendation. Dunton also received the Physical Fitness Certificate of Excellence for scoring a 287 out of a possible 300.
Cpl. Timothy J. Parks earned the title of distinguished graduate for achieving a 92.11 grade point average. Parks received a meritorious mast and a plaque.
Cpl. Joe R. Cantu was the class Iron Man with a physical fitness test score of 294. He received a Physical Fitness Certificate of Excellence and a trophy representing his achievement.
Last but not least, Allen received distinguished graduate and the title of “Gung-Ho.”
The Gung-Ho award is typically presented to the Marine who inspires his fellow Marines the most and is generally selected by peers.
Allen received the award and title along with a meritorious mast.
“Everyone in the graduating class did a great job and deserves to be here,” said Allen. “This is such a special group of Marines. I learned just as much about good leadership from my peers as I did my instructors and that’s the beauty of this course; it’s designed to bring you together and to make you stronger as a leader and as an individual.”