There is a saying in the Marine Corps that you can make the best of any situation, or in other words, adapt and overcome. The physical workspace that Marines find themselves in can change on a daily basis. It can be anywhere from and office, to the cockpit of a helicopter, or when times aren’t so great the battlefield. Marines are trained to adapt to any living condition. They might find themselves at home with their family one night, and walking through the jungles of Central Asia the next. In the mind of a Marine, both work and home are where they find themselves at that given moment.
As a former Marine, the one phrase that is a continuous part of everyday life is “Semper Fidelis”, which is Latin for “Always Faithful” (Wills, 2004). This is a term that most Marines live and die by. Another saying that is very prevalent is that no Marine will be left behind. A Marine leader never leaves a wounded or dead Marine on the battlefield to fall into the hands of the enemy (). Leadership by example is a very important aspect in modeling you Marine leaders. The theory behind this, is that a good leader would never order a subordinate to do something that they have not done, or would not be willing to do themselves (Wills, 2004).
The explicit rewards and status symbols that are used to motivate employees in the military, provides a unique environment that fosters and encourage qualities for a successful life. Some of these qualities include total commitment, perseverance, sense of mission, sense of self, sense of others, sense of community, and the devotion to duty. Total commitment allows a person to approach every task with the intent to a successful ending. Perseverance allows the individual to withstand difficulties to bounce back from setbacks by having the patience and self-belief. Sense of mission is the ability to see beyond immediate challenges and to stay focused on the ultimate goal. Sense of self and of others is the ability to size up a total stranger combined with an acute degree of self-knowledge and awareness. The sense of community a person can look beyond immediate personal interests in service to a greater good. Last, the devotion to duty by making lives better through service. The development of these qualities in each and every young person in the services allows their qualities to emerge and to be honed and utilized in everyday life.
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There are many legends stories that are familiar to employees and customers. “Leathernecks for the Marines can be accepted as a legitimate member of the family of legends. More like a tradition, the US Marines of three generations wore leather collars. The term “Leatherneck” was derived from a leather stock once worn around the neck by both American and British Marines soldiers.
The origin of Marine Corps Hymn according to legend, the first verse of the Marine Corps Hymn was written by a Marine veteran of the Mexican War and sung to a folk tune heard in Mexico. The words “From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezuma’s appeared on Marine Corps standards shortly after the war, but the author reversed them with poetic license. The Civil War then gave new popularity to the Hymn. United States Marine Corps Music TAPS. Of all the military bugle calls, none is so familiar to render emotion than the call TAPS. A call known as last post has sounded over soldier’s graves since 1885. It is also unique with the United States military, at wreath laying and memorials.
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To answer when the Nation calls, Marines need to be educated in the ways of the Corps, who are trained and ready to perform assigned roles and missions. Requirements are fulfilled through a transformation process, which includes five phases: recruiting, recruit training, follow-on training, cohesion, and sustainment. Leadership is a continuous process involving critical actions, decisions, and most important, leadership from recruiting through service in the operating forces and beyond.
"One of the most physically and mentally challenging experiences of your life." (U.S. Marine Corps) This seems to be the philosophy of many new recruits that make it through basic training. This challenging experience lasts 13 weeks, and is the first step in the Marine Corp organizational structure. Recruits are instilled with the concept of teamwork. The final and most demanding test of basic training is called the crucible, "The recruit is transformed both physically and mentally, into a vital part of a highly effective team" (U.S. Marine Corps). Then, and only then, is the recruit awarded the title of Marine.
"Military rank in the United States Marine Corp is a badge of leadership and responsibility." (U.S. Marine Corps)
The new recruit can now begin climbing the ranks of enlisted, commissioned officers, and/or Warrant officers. Commissioned officers rank the highest and hold presidential commissions. The United States Senate also confirms their ranks. Warrant officers are specialists in certain military technologies or capabilities. Marine Corp officers are called company grade officers, field grade officers, and general officers.
Now that the Marine is given a title, he/she must now select what is called a Military Occupational Specialty, or MOS. The MOS is a specific function that the Marine must perform. There are five categories that encompass the MOS, which forms a Total Force. "Every facet of the Marine Corp works together as a single, dynamic unit, and it allows the Marine Corp to call on any combination of specialties to complete the mission at hand" (U.S. Marine Corps).
These five categories are enlisted aviation; Combat arms; Computer, communication, intelligence/electronics; Combat service support; and Marine reserve.
Many of the men and woman that are recruited for the Marine Corps must serve a minimum of 4 years. Considering the length of time invested, job retention is important. Recruiters don’t focus on who or what the individual is now, but the soldier he/she will become. They see each person as having the potential to succeed.
The Marines have five sets of practices they follow that motivate new recruits, and keep them from failing and giving up on themselves.
- Over invests in cultivating core values. Basic training is when this occurs. "This not only bolsters performance, but raises pride" (Katzenbach, Santamaria, 1999).
- Prepare every person to lead. There is no distinction between a follower and a leader.
- Learn when to create teams and when to create single leader work groups. This is accomplished by teaching the differences between certain roles. This way each recruit can fill every position.
- Attend to the bottom half. "A Marine in battle is only as strong as its' weakest link" (U.S. Marine Corps). Each recruit is given personal attention. This gives the individual a feeling of empowerment, belonging, and pride, for him/herself, and the group.
- Encourage self-discipline as a way of building pride. Rules are limitless in the Marines. This may seem extreme or punitive, however, this level of discipline allows individuals to recognize their potential, as well as the potential of the group. They learn discipline, which establishes a "commitment to mission, values and comrades." (U.S. Marine Corps).
An important organizational system in the Marine Corps is the process of recruitment. The first step is to meet with a recruiter. Once the individual decides to continue, he/she will enlist, and state their term of enlistment, which is 4-6 years. The recruit proceeds to the entry program, where he/she will pass an initial screening, physical exam, and aptitude. Then it's time for basic training. Once the recruit passes this difficult process he begins his MOS training. Finally, they are given their duty assignments and locations for the duration of their enlistment.
During the war in Iraq, the U.S and British leaders adopted a combination of "classic maneuver and asymmetric war fare" (Britannica Student Encyclopedia, 2004). The Iraqi military presented a new, diversified threat. Operation Iraqi Freedom challenged leaders to protect their military from various and unknown threats" (Britannica Student Encyclopedia, 2004).
Marine Corps culture is a culture that is understood by only a few, but admired by many. Their culture is inspired by 229 years of tradition, history, and the never-ending call to duty, no matter what the consequences may be. An icon of the military power of the United States, the Marine Corps will always have their place in the pages of history.
References
Freedman, D.H. (1998). Corps Values. Inc, 20(5), 54 Retrieved online from the
University of Phoenix library on October 24, 2004.
Jones, J.L. (1999). Commandant’s Guidance. Marines, 28(7), 12 Retrieved online from
EBSCOhost library on October 24, 2004.
Katzenbach, J.R, Santamaria, J.R. (1999). Firing Up the Front Line. Harvard
Business Review, 77(3). Retrieved online from Ebscohost library on October 25, 2004.
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Unknown Author. "Marines", Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2004. Retrieved from the
Encyclopedia Britannica Online on October 26, 2004.
Unknown Author. "Tell it to the Marines", Marine Corps Lore, 2004. Retrieved from
Grunts.net,
Unknown Author. U.S. Marine Corps Core Values, 2004. Retrieved from About.com
US Marine Corps, Recruit training. Retrieved online from on October 25, 2004.
Wills, S.M. (2004) Former Marine Non-Commissioned Officer 1991-1995
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www.usmc.mil/marinelink/websites.nsf/associations