JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- On an installation where service interoperability is abundant, a few service members stand out as top performers across the joint base.
The Leading Edge program is designed to cultivate enlisted leaders from all branches at Joint Base MDL. Participants are hand-picked and then immersed in the installation’s mission set as they work together to accomplish tasks throughout the week-long course.
“The participants in this event are identified by their leadership as the top performers,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Justin Hudson, Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron flight chief. “It’s a prestigious program, and a great opportunity for professional development.”
Throughout the program, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen participated in a variety of leadership courses and classes. Participants dedicated two days to learning about the Marine Corps and Army missions as well as how each branch’s culture affects how they operate.
“It was interesting to see how leadership roles play out in different branches,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Leosary Gonell, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 operations chief. “We learned a great deal of knowledge about the culture of each branch. All of the NCOs had something to learn during the course.”
The unique nature of Joint Base MDL allows Leading Edge members to experience joint operations at home station before sending them overseas to combat environments where service interoperability is common.
“It’s a great opportunity because we have all five services here,” said Hudson. “The diversity of the group helped us accomplish tasks throughout the week, everyone had great ideas. These are skills that participants can utilize wherever they go – it’s a tool they can put in their toolbox.”
During the day spent observing the Marine Corps’ mission on the installation, the sharp troops toured the Marine Aircraft Group 49 and completed a combat fitness test, which included a fireman’s carry, maneuvering with two 30-pound ammo boxes and a dummy grenade toss.
“My hope for the other branches during the Marine Corps combat fitness test was that they would get that ‘can’t do’ attitude out of their mouth,” said Gonell. “The fact that everyone pushed themselves and accomplished it was the best thing I could have seen.”
The Leading Edge program is an ongoing program and it will continue to sharpen the minds of MDL’s top performers, said Hudson. Future classes plan to include Sailors and Coast Guardsmen.
“Traditionally we’re kind of isolated as branches; we’re really getting away from that,” said Hudson. “We saw that regardless of the different services and ranks they came together and used effective teamwork to accomplish missions. This program is a step in the right direction.”