Every Marine Commander or Officer in Charge has an intrinsic responsibility to mentor his subordinates.  Without question he should prepare them to succeed at the next higher rank.  This is especially true of those officers who have officers in their charge.

The Battalion Commander has an inherent duty to mentor his Captains so that they are better able to handle the responsibilities of the next higher grade in their MOS. The same is true of the Company Commander with his Lieutenants.

Not only should the Commander help them succeed as Company Commanders or Platoon Commanders, he should prepare them to be future Battalion or Company COs.

Marine Officer Leadership, mentorship, should not be an exception.  USMC Officer Leadership should be the rule.   

The below thoughts were prepared several years ago and recently updated.  Do not make the mistake of neglecting the tactical aspect of officer mentorship.

Please feel free to comment and add your suggestions.

-Observe everything and take notes.  No kidding, how many times have you heard that.  You should be observing everything, positive and negative, that your seniors do and record it for future use (when you get that job in a few years).  

I heard a Marine General Officer once say "you are doing good if you can learn from your mistakes.  You are doing great if you can learn from the mistakes of others."   It is less painful too.

When it comes time to use the information be smart enough to know what to use and, as importantly, what not to use.  Just because it worked for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you later.  Be smart enough to know what won't work as well.

-Initiative, Attitude and Effort.  Three words that describe a Marine Officer. 
 
"Sir, Its already done should be the answer that every Marine officer gives when given a task."  Learn to read your boss and act without orders or instructions.

No matter how difficult the task, never under-estimate the power of a positive attitude.  A Marine Officer's positive attitude should be contagious.

By virtue of your commission, rank and billet you owe your Marines nothing less than your best effort at all times. A Marine Officer will do anything to ensure the success of the mission and well being of his Marines.

-Heart, Hunger, Humility and Hardness.  Four words you should strive to have written in your FITREP.

Heart. Do you have the courage, resolution, and will to see the mission through to competition?

Hunger. Do you have a strong desire to succeed?  Never at the expense of your Marines!

Humble. Are you modest and unpretentious in your success?  Do you take the blame for your units failures and give your Marines credit for the success?

Hardness. Do you have the mental toughness to see the mission through to the end? A Marine Officer never quits.

-Have a Sense of Urgency and Sense of Purpose in everything you do.  Do you ask yourself "If I screw this up, will my Marines will pay for it?"

-Think before you speak or act.  Remember someone is always watching you, what example will they see, or hear about someone seeing?  It is more important that your subordinates see the right example than your seniors. 

-Officers get paid to make think and make decisions.  

Whether you have 5 minutes, 5 hours or 5 days - Think about your the decision you are going to make.  What are the intended and unintended consequences?   What are the short and long term benefits?  If it doesn't benefit your unit somehow, why are you doing it?

At the end of the day the decision is yours, and yours alone, to make. 
Get as much input as you can prior to making the decision.  Really listen to your Marines and know when, and when not to take their advice.    

-Marine Officers always do the right thing no matter how difficult the circumstances.  Don't blame others and never make excuses for anything. 

-Marine Officers always have a reason for everything they do. If it doesn't benefit your Unit, your higher HQ, your subordinate units or your Marines, why are you doing it?  

-Marine Officers don't get frustrated.  There is always something you can change to make things better.  If you can find anything to change - change yourself!

-Marine Officers don't run.  They keep poised and calm under all circumstances. Their actions instill confidence in their Marines and everyone around them.  If you're late for a meeting and running across the parade deck, you just told the entire Battalion you're screwed up.  

-Marine Officers plan and are prepared.  Supervise, but if you're doing your SNCO's job who is doing yours?  Officers get paid to look forward - tomorrow, next week, next month etc..

-Allow Marines to make mistakes and admit your own mistakes to your Marines. Marines will appreciate your common sense, communication and honesty.  You're only fooling yourself if you think they don't know about it.  The best learning experiences are often the ones that don't go well.  Critique it and get better.  The only time mistakes aren't ok is when Marines get hurt, killed or nobody learns anything from them. 

-Marine Officers know how to do more with less.  Not too long ago that was the rule.  Lean times will come again.  Just because you have old equipment, broken equipment, no fuel and less ammo doesn't mean you can't train or accomplish your mission. If there isn't any fuel to get your Marines to the range, hike there.  You get paid to figure it out.  

-Don't waste time and don't waste your Marines time with poorly planned or executed training.  Always plan on conducting concurrent training.  Know when to call it a day when your unit isn't getting anything out of training.  There will be enough miserable training - don't contribute to it.   Stop training that isn't accomplishing goals.

-Don't take six hours to accomplish a two hour task. Strive to do things once.  There is no time in the training schedule for remediation and do-overs.  Those days are gone.

-A Marine Officer never says "It's not my job."  A Marine, regardless of rank or MOS, can do anything.

-A Marine Officer creates an environment where everyone contributes to the success of the unit.  Never give up on the weakest link.  You never know what their capable of unless you give them a chance. You might be surprised. When in doubt always err on the side of your Marines. 

-Return your Marines better than you found them.  Their parents and the Commandant expect nothing less.  In addition to your regular duties you get paid to make good citizens when they EAS. 
 
-Understand that rules, regulations, and orders are there for a reason.  What are the consequences of not following them?   You also get paid to know when not to follow orders.  Have a damn good reason and be prepared to put your career on the line if it means doing the right thing.

-NJP is necessary but is a waste of everyone's time.  Think of how much more would get done if everyone did their jobs and stayed out of trouble.  Work toward that goal.

The Laundry List:
-Set your unit up for success.
-Stay focused, don't get distracted from the task at hand.
-Prioritize daily.
-Be good at the basics first, then work on everything else.
-Done waste ammo or time.
-Do more with less -MARINE MENTALITY.
-Critique everything.
-Follow the training schedule. 
-Someone is always watching.
-Don't shit where you eat.  (Make friends, you never know when you'll need help).
-Don't create self induced friction.  (Quit digging the hole and start filling it in)
-Have a good reason for everything you do.
-Smooth is fast.
-Go the extra mile in everything you do.  Everyone appreciates effort.
-Never quit at anything.
-Always do the right thing.
-A Marine on duty has no friends. 
-Quit worrying about how screwed up everyone else is and focus on what you can do better.
-Use good ideas.  Always give people credit.
-In 230+ years someone has probably done it before.
-Do your job, don't do your Marines jobs.  You'll get twice as much done.
-Allow your Marines to solve problems at the lowest level.
-Take care of your Marines and the mission will get accomplished every time.
-Taking care of your Marines sometimes means doing hard things.  Not slacking off may bring them home alive.
-Bad news never gets better with age. 
-Demand high standards of your people and higher standards for yourself.
-There is a time and place for everything.
-Perception is reality.  If I perceive you to be screwed up that is how I'll treat you.
-Inspect everything.  You'll be amazed at what you find.
-Always act in the best interest of your unit - period!
-50% of commander's intent is personality.  (Ensure that your Marines get to know you and can answer the question - "What would my boss tell me to do if he were here?"
-Mistakes of omission are OK.
-Mistakes of commission are NOT OK.
-Get over it and move on.  Holding a grudge or looking in the rear view mirror does no good.
-Anticipate and act. Always be 3 steps ahead of the next guy.
-Work on your weak points first.
-Things are never as good, or as bad, as they may seem.
-Remember why you came in the Marine Corps.
-Have fun.  If you don't have fun, your Marines never will. 
-Make a difference everyday!