The Marines won't promote anyone to gunny who hasn't completed this new training

Marines hoping to make staff sergeant and gunnery sergeant in the next year will have to finish the new professional military education requirements.

Starting Oct. 1, sergeants must complete the MarineNet "Sergeants Course" and the resident Sergeants Course at a Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

Staff sergeants must complete the MarineNet "Career Course," then either the resident Career Course at a Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy or the Career Course Seminar Distance Education Program.

The changes to PME requirements came out in Marine administrative message 521/14 in 2014, which also detailed changes to lance corporals' and corporals' requirements that took effect in October 2015.

Training and Education Command wanted to offer a larger scope than traditional training. The updated distance education curriculum will allow enlisted Marines to spend less time in a resident course.  

Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, the commanding officer of TECOM, said he wants to invest in Marines’ education.

"It’s all about trying to do all that we can to get the most out of every Marine while they’re in the Marine Corps," he said.

Marine Corps University at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia offers nine PME programs and aims to expand in the future.

"Marine Corps University is focusing on … broader education than PME," Lukeman said. "The university is looking at how can they better clear a path for our enlisted Marines to earn a degree while they’re in the Marine Corps."

Lukeman said the university is looking into partnerships with community colleges around the country in order to streamline a Marine’s path to an associate’s degree.

Charlsy Panzino covers TECOM for Marine Corps Times and writes features about veterans transition issues, travel and fitness. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.