Marine Corps Philosophy

There are four components above all others that govern the character discipline Marines are taught. They are:

1. Core Values
2. Leadership Objectives
3. Leadership Traits
4. Leadership Principles

Marines are systematically indoctrinated with all aspects of this philosophy so that it can guide their thoughts and actions.

When General Krulak became Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1995 he refocused the Marine Corps on its core values. While I don't know if there is a connection, in 1994 Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras published their book Built to Last which was the result of a six year research study on enduring great institutions. In their book they discuss the importance of core values to "preserve the core, and stimulate progress." According to Built to Last, the trick to core values is to accurately describe values that are already there, not to invent values that an organization thinks would be useful. The Marine Corps' focus on its core values is one of the reasons the Marine Corps is an enduring great institution.

The Marine Corps' core values are:

1. Honor
2. Courage
3. Commitment

Primary Objective: Mission Accomplishment
Secondary Objective: Troop (or team) Welfare

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
2. Know your employees and look out for their welfare
3. Develop a sense of responsibility among your employees
4. Be technically and tactically proficient
5. Make sound and timely decisions
6. Keep your employees informed
7. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions
8. Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised and accomplished
9. Train your employees as a team
10. Employ your team in accordance with its capabilities
11. Set the example

Marines typically work out as a group three times a week, and have to take a physical fitness test twice a year. Below are the standards to max the test. Although most Marines don't max the test these are the standards they aspire to. Most Marines don't even know the minimum standards to pass the test because they are not concerned with minimum standards as a rule.

1. 20 dead-hang pull-ups
2. 100 crunches in two minutes
3. Run 3 miles in 18 minutes

Over the last two decades the Marine Corps has been improving its system to make smarter Marines. The Marine Corps developed a reading program, established Marine Corps University, and gives ongoing professional military education as Marines move from one rank to the next. In 1999 when General Jones became commandant, he implemented the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and the Marine Corps further strengthened its commitment to the synergy of the Character, Physical, and Mental Disciplines.