1. RANK STRUC- An established rank structure aids the Marine Corps in
TURE carrying out its mission by organizing the duties, respon-
sibilities, and authority necessary to succeed.
Without this organizational structure, our institution would
be shapeless and ineffective at carrying out our assigned
missions.
The success of the Marine Corps and of our Marines
depend greatly on the Marines who carry out these duties
and responsibilities of leadership.
2. HISTORY OF The leadership position of the Marine NCO did not begin
ORGANIZED with the birth of the United States Marines Corps. This
RANKS position evolved over centuries of military action and was
influenced by different cultures.
Historically, armies consisted of officers and groups of
men they enlisted to be in their charge. As the first pro-
fessional army in history, the Roman Legion formalized a
military rank structure that recognized subordinate ranks
to the centurion who was the equivalent of today's com-
pany commander.
These individuals assisted the centurion in the running of
the unit.
3. Optio (History) The optio was the centurion's second in command and
oversaw all training of the century. In battle, the optio
commanded the rear of the formation and was identified
by a white and black plume and the wooden staff he
carried to enforce orders.
4. Tesserarius (His- The tesserarius was the head of the guard, keeper of the
tory) watch, and second in command to the optio. This non-
commissioned officer oversaw fatigue and guard duties
for the company.
5.
, Leadership I (Corporal's Course)
Signifier (Histo- The signifier was the treasurer and also carried the "stan-
ry) dard," a medallion decorated staff that identified the com-
pany rally point. He was third in command of the century
and wore a draped bear's hide.
6. Decantus (Histo- The decantus was the first rank a legionary could be
ry) promoted to. Supervising a section of eight men, they
oversaw camp set-up and training while enforcing per-
sonal hygiene and maintenance of equipment. They were
identified by two feathers attached to the side of their
helmets.
7. ORIGIN OF The term corporal is derived from 15th century Italy. The
TERMS: CORPO- Italian army's main tactical formation was the squadra
RAL which translates into square. The squadra was command-
ed by a reliable veteran known as the capo de squadra,
or head of the square.
A hundred years later, during the 17th century, the term
was shortened to caporale. At that same time, the French
picked up the term pronouncing it in various ways, one of
them being corporal.
By the 17th or 18th century, the British adopted the rank
of corporal. In 1803, when they began using chevrons,
British corporals received two stripes.
During the American Revolution, both British and French
regulations influenced the military structure of the conti-
nental forces.
8. ORIGIN OF The term sergeant began as serviens, Latin for servant,
TERMS: to a knight in 13th century France.
SERGEANT
The serviens were experienced warriors that rode horses,
but were not wealthy enough to afford all the equipment
and retainers to qualify as a knight. Serviens would be
called upon to take charge of a group of serfs forced to
serve in the army. They were responsible for conducting
, Leadership I (Corporal's Course)
training, leading serfs into battle, and keeping order. At
the time it was an occupation, not a rank.
The English adopted the word from the French and be-
gan pronouncing it SAR-gent. The colonies continued to
supply both soldiers and Marines to the British empire.
Therefore, when the American colonies created their own
military it was only natural to include the rank of sergeant.
Over the years, technical advances and many different
duties and responsibilities have led to several grades of
sergeant.
9. Which mod- Corporal. YES
ern military
rank originated Sergeant. NO
as capo de
squadra? Captain. NO
NCO. NO
10. Roman Le- Determining order of battle. NO
gion noncom-
missioned offi- Supervising camp set-up. YES
cers were re-
sponsible for Regulating guard duties. YES
which of the fol-
lowing? Select Enforcing personal hygiene. YES
all that apply.
11. RESOLUTION More than just our emblem was derived from the British
(NCO EARLY Royal Marines. In the 17th and 18th century American
HISTORY) colonists were notably a maritime people. England found
the colonists to be well acclimated to service upon the
sea and therefore, a large number were raised to serve
the British fleet as Royal Marines.
On 10 Nov 1775, as the Second Continental Congress
resolved that two battalions of Marines be raised, numer-
ous colonists possessed the training and experience that
, Leadership I (Corporal's Course)
made them the best sort for an efficient Marine force.
The resolution specified structure to include one colonel,
two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and officers as usu-
al in other regiments. "Other regiments" is a reference
to land forces. Corporals and sergeants were included
among these officers as they were in the British Royal
Marines.
12. TRANSFORMA- In 1777, as the Continental Army moved into winter quar-
TION (NCO ters at Valley Forge they were low on discipline, supplies,
EARLY and victories. The British had taken the American capital
HISTORY) (Blue of Philadelphia and routed them at the Battles of Brandy-
Book) wine and Germantown.
Painfully aware of his army's shortcomings, General
Washington requested an inspector-general to transform
them into a professional fighting force. The request was
answered with the arrival of the Prussian Baron Friedrich
Wilhelm Von Steuben.
The great efforts of Inspector General Von Steuben trans-
formed this ragtag army into a cohesive and disciplined
fighting force that would defeat the elite British military.
His Revolutionary War Drill Manual or Regulations for the
Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States
commonly called "The Blue Book" established:
•Standardized drill
•Camp sanitation
•Unit structure
•Leadership qualities
•Leadership duties and responsibilities
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