What should I expect, and what advice do you have, regarding my transition from LCpl to Cpl?

2017-08-01T22:01:59-04:00

I’ve been a LCpl (E-3) for a majority of my current contract (4 years currently out of 5). I have just been promoted to the rank of Cpl (E-4) and was assigned to be in charge of 2 LCpls. While I feel ready, I guess I’m just looking for advice here on what to expect and advice from what others have experienced.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 1 at 2017 10:16 PM

2017-08-01T22:16:17-04:00

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member: I was a Squad Leader and a Graduate with Honors as a Specialist Four in the Army.
As a Squad Leader I: inspected my squad members rooms, readied them for an IG Inspection, marched my squad members, readied my squad members for formations, etc.
Many Prayers for your continued success, Lance Corporal.
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by SP5 Dave Westbury made Aug 1 at 2017 10:53 PM

2017-08-01T22:53:04-04:00

If you were in the Army, you'de be a proud member of the E-4 Mafia. You could then sham like a MF. You would get to know all the good hiding places, who and where to avoid and how to really lay a line a' shit. Survival of the fittest. Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2017 9:39 AM

2017-08-02T09:39:11-04:00

My advice is to try to go by the Golden Rule in being the best leader you can be. When you were a LCpl, how did you want and expect to be treated and use that as a guide in your leadership. Take the best qualities of all those that you have had as leaders, NCOs and officers alike, and incorporate it into your own style. Find some mentors and pick up some light reading on teamwork and leadership skills. You should always be preparing for the next rank and the one above that, so that when you get there, it should be an easy transition. Good luck.

Response by MSgt Gerald Orvis made Aug 2 at 2017 10:39 AM

2017-08-02T10:39:24-04:00

I'm glad you feel ready for this new responsibility. You should have been preparing yourself for the next higher grade since you made LCpl. Know yourself, know your job and know your people. Follow the leadership principles in the Guidebook and the Handbook for Marine NCOs. Now that you'll be an NCO, one thing I recommend you NOT do is socialize with your subordinates. Hard, I know, since the non-rates you are acquainted with have been your buds and you're used to going out and doing stuff with them. But, as an old-time SNCO once told me: How can you kick their butts out of the rack at 0500 or make them do stuff they may not want to do or crack hard on them (when necessary), when you've been out drinking (or whatever) with them the previous night. Start socializing with your fellow NCOs - that will give you an opportunity to absorb how they do things and get some good advice. Do your duty to the max, don't cut any slack and always be at the top of your game. You will get ahead.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 2 at 2017 10:54 AM

2017-08-02T10:54:12-04:00

You've been led by others for years. You know the tasks and duties of LCpls having been one. Now, take all that and lead. In many ways, it really is that simple. Take the reigns you've been handed. Leadership styles very, so I won't tell you "how", but know what is expected. And know that responsibility--that which is expected of YOU--increases as a leader; as lower enlisted, people don't often understand this. Hopefully you've had good mentors and examples; if not, find some.

Good luck in your new roll Cpl.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2017 1:04 PM

2017-08-02T13:04:01-04:00

Some of the best advice for new NCO's is to separate yourself from the non-NCO's, aka, your friends. It's not fun and it's not easy but it's vital if you want them to take you seriously. It will make your job easier in the long run.

Response by Sgt Brendan Bigney made Aug 2 at 2017 4:46 PM

2017-08-02T16:46:12-04:00

Know your stuff. Lead by example. Understand you don't know everything. Stay true to yourself and the Marines around you.

Also, I rarely smiled. Helps out a lot when you're in a "billet over rank" situation, which happens often. Doesn't help so much in the civilian world though. So learn to smile before you leave the Corps.

Response by Cpl Alwin Perret made Aug 2 at 2017 4:54 PM

2017-08-02T16:54:26-04:00

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 2 at 2017 5:47 PM

2017-08-02T17:47:31-04:00

You've been in for 4 years, so something you should have picked up on by now is what kind of NCO you want to be. I've had good NCOs and I've had bad NCOs. I always picked the best qualities of the NCOs I wanted to emulate and incorporated that into my NCO method. I was also mindful of the things that I saw my NCOs do that I didn't want to passdown to the next generation.

As an NCO, you are responsible for developing your Junior Marines into future NCOs. So assume you are getting out of the Marine Corps, what kind of Junior Marines do you want to leave behind.

I PT'd my Marines. I inspected their rooms. I inspected their uniforms to make sure they were always on point. I kept them within standards. Your Marines are a reflection of yourself. Keep them on point and by extension you will always be on point.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 2:35 AM

2017-08-03T02:35:35-04:00

I remember when I was in your shoes, and my advice is; you can never go wrong following the Corps' regulations, ethos, and ethics. In my situation, I was placed in charge of my former friends (it was a very small unit). They respected the fact that the only friction that existed (if/when it did) was not between us, it was between the regulations and their actions. If your new subordinates are not your previous buddies, the situation is even better. Standards are standards. Trust in the Marine Corps regulations, ethos and ethics, and you will be fine, I promise.

Response by SFC James Heath made Aug 9 at 2017 4:39 PM

2017-08-09T16:39:14-04:00

Grow up. You are not on of the gang anymore. You are a noncommissioned officer. Act like one. If you need to come down hard on your former buddies to get the mission done then do it. You do not allow your former buddies turn your position into a democracy where the majority rules. Stop that immediately. Talk with your SGTs ans SSGTs I am sure they can give you advise worth listening to. Follow the guidelines they give you. Remember, they have already been where you are.