Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership
Marine Corps Core Values
Marine Corps POWs faired better than any other group or service while in Japanese captivity during WWII. Their ability to organize a chain of command and their leadership abilities have been cited as the primary reasons their survival rate was higher than any other group in captivity.
If you are down to two Marines, only one is in charge. If both Marines are the same rank, only one Marine is in charge. If they both have the same Date of Rank (DOR), only one Marine is in charge. If comes down to it, figure out who was born first and move out.
Regardless of rank, every Marine is taught these basic leadership fundamentals during entry level training. All Marines are expected to know the fundamentals of Marine Corps leadership inside and out.
Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership
Leadership: Defined as the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding, and moral character that enables a person to inspire and control a group of people successfully.
Leadership Traits: The qualities of character that everyone possesses in some capacity. Good leaders have developed these qualities as strengths.
14 Marine Corps Leadership Traits (JJ DID TIE BUCKLE)
Justice: Giving reward and punishment according to the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially.
Judgment: The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.
Dependability: The certainty of proper performance of duty.
Decisiveness: The ability to make decisions promptly and announce them in a clear, forceful manner.
Tact: The ability to deal with others with respect.
Initiative: Taking action in the absence of orders.
Enthusiasm: The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.
Bearing: The creation of a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.
Unselfishness: Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.
Courage: The mental quality that recognizes fear, danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
Knowledge: The understanding of a science or art. The range of one's information.
Loyalty: The quality of faithfulness to country, Corps and to your seniors and subordinates.
Endurance: The mental and physical stamina measured by one's ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.
Leadership Principles: Time tested and proven guidelines of leadership. Rules of leadership that, if used and followed, will help one to become a successful leader.
11 Marine Corps Leadership Principles
Honor: Integrity, Responsibility, Accountability
Courage: Do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons
Commitment: Devotion to the Corps and to your fellow Marines
Troop Leading Steps: The six troop leading steps are a logical thought process, which aid in the planning for and execution of a given mission. The thought process assists unit leaders in making the best use of time, facilities and personnel. The degree of consideration for each step varies with the mission and time available.
6 Marine Corps Troop Leading Steps (BAMCIS)
Begin Planning: A leader should begin planning as soon as he is assigned a mission to accomplish. After receiving the order, the leader should plan the proper use of available time using reverse planning. Reserve planning requires the leader to consider the scheduled time of the last action he must complete (usually the time of attack) and work backwards to the receipt of the order.
Arrange Reconnaissance: An investigation of a route or specific area. This can be either be don physically on the ground or visually using a map or terrain model. During this step the leader selects a route and prepares a schedule for his reconnaissance. His route and schedule should allow him to cover as much terrain as the available time allows.
Make Reconnaissance: In many cases the leader will be unable to make a physical reconnasssiance due to time constraints, distance or to ensure surprise. In this case the leader should, at a minimum, conduct a map reconnaissance. During this step the leader completes his estimate of the situation.
Complete Planning: The leader reviews the preliminary plan and decides on a cours of action. The plan should be simple and should not needlessly endanger Marines and equipment more than what is required to accomplish the mission. After selecting a course of action, the leader prepares notes to be used in issuing the order.
Issue the Order: Before issuing the order, the leader should orient subordinates from a vantage point. If not possible, they should be oriented using maps, sketches, photos and terrain models. The order must include sufficient information for subordinates to carry out the mission, should the leader become a casualty. Each subordinate should be assigned specific tasks. The leader must ensure the plann is understood by soliciting and asking questions of subordinates.
Supervise: The most important troop leading step. The leader ensures the order is carried out as intended. Often the leader will position himself with the subordinate who has the most difficult task or with the least experienced subordinate leader. Throughout the execution of the plan, the leader must continue to analyze the situation and be prepared to quickly adjust the plan if necessary.
The brillance is in the basics. The Marine Corps has taken these simple concepts and engrained them in each Marine so they are mastered to perfection.
Resources:
Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership ppt presentation
Categories: Leadership Fundamentals, Leadership Resources
Tags: Fundamentals of leadership Marine Corps Leadership military leadership Marine Corps Leadership Principles
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