Attack, Attack, Attack: Be positive.  Be aggressive.

Three Priorities: God, Family, and Corps.  Take care of all three.

Lead by Example: If the leader will, the Marine will.  Take care of and lead your Marines.

Standards and Discipline: Reward those that meet/exceed the standards of the Corps; discipline and lead those who do not.  Marines want standards and discipline.

Dignity and Respect: Hazing; we all know what it is.  It will not be tolerated.  Equal Opportunity; every Marine is judged on his individual potential and merit.

Character and Integrity: Do the right thing.  The 5 Don’ts in this battalion are; don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t do drugs, and don’t disrespect NCOs.

NCOs: The NCO will be the backbone of this battalion.  A unit lives and dies on the leadership of its NCOs.

Basics: Block, tackle, hit and penetrate.  Execute the basics well and all else will become doable.  Every Marine must be a master at field-craft and small unit tactics.  Good squads/sections make a great battalion.

Focus on Combat: “Hit what you are aiming at” Marksmanship is the cornerstone of infantry skills.  Every shot must be scored; in training with a range book, in combat with the blood of our enemy.  Be as good in the dark as you are in the light.

Physically and Mentally Tough: We will focus on combat fitness.  We must hike with heavy loads, be able to carry a wounded Marine and be proficient in close combat.  A unit that is not physically fit is not mentally fit and is not combat ready.

Unit Identity: We are a team ready for combat.  The battalion’s reputation is important.  Protect it, have pride in it.  We are the Teufelhunden. (Devil Dogs)

Winning: Winners talk and act like winners.  Winning is a habit.  Success breeds success.  Pretty soon it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Force Potection:  While our focus is on killing the enemy; we also need to focus on not killing ourselves.  NCO’s will be held responsible for the safety of their Marines and their weapons handling.   

J.D. Alford

Lt. Col. USMC