Our Pride — Marines

Marines aren’t simply born Marines. They are created. Through the Poolee program, Basic Training, Combat Training and Military Occupation Specialty school. Young men and women begin the process from civilian life, to becoming something more than they once were, a US Marine. We call this process the “transformation”. The transformation is encompassed within five phases: recruitment, recruit training, cohesion, sustainment, and citizenship (United States, 1999, p. 19). In these phases, Marines are imprinted with the core values, ethics, and way of life the Marine Corps. Each phase is crucial to the transformation of the Marine. However, only one poses a vital vulnerability- sustainment. In order to sustain the transformation, leadership can implement a standard intake process, unit events and monthly recognition.

Furthermore, sustainability is the continuous process in which Marine leadership supports the ongoing transformation of the Marine. Through setting the example, fostering team building, and mentoring young Marines, leadership personnel can continue the development of their subordinates. Following all of these points will help build a better Marine and a stable citizen.

First, implementing a welcoming onboarding process for new Marines will encourage vertical cohesion (identity within unit), supporting the sustainability of a Marine’s transformation. With no current onboarding procedure in place, new Marines will have no personal connection to their units from the start. This opens up an avenue for an inability to understand the legacy of the unit and build a sense of trust within their leaders. When a welcoming onboarding process is in place, it can facilitate maneuvering through these challenges. For example, a process can be created in which new members must be assigned an NCO that will guide them in their first week through the intake process. The assigned NCO’s can give the new members a tour of the base and offering them a briefing of the history of the unit. This first impression will foster trust amongst the leader and subordinate, and ultimately lead to a faster road of “knowing your Marines.” As an illustration, in Sustaining the Transformation, through the examples of James Smith and Tommy Smith, the first impression can either lead the new marine at a road to self-sustainment or at-risk.

Secondly, establishing unit activities will support the sustainment phase. The blend of both company tournaments and individual unit activities can satisfy both vertical and horizontal cohesion. Previously, some units have created “Battalion tournaments,” in which companies within the battalion compete amongst one another in different sports (e.g. volleyball, soccer, tug of war and relay race). Winning companies are given trophies as recognition for their success in the sport. This concept has been successful in strengthening connectedness within companies. According to General Martin E. Dempsey, “operating together as an interdependent team creates an environment that promotes mutual respect and cohesion. ‘A’ manifestation of strength from diversity” (Dampsey, n.d). As such, tournaments can be used as a tool to strength bonds.

In addition to the tournaments, individual unit activities present a tool for Marines to get to know each other. These activities can include a trip to the bowling alley or beach. Having only your unit members present, allows marines to socialize and build a stronger relationship with each other. In the peer-to-peer aspect, Marines within the same rank can increase in the horizontal cohesion, improving the working relationship and promoting out of work support.

On the other hand, in the leader-to-subordinate aspect, vertical cohesion can be increased, resulting in the leader getting to know their subordinate better. Thus, it can facilitate the leader’s ability to guide a Marine in the right direction and ensure the path to self-sustainment.

Lastly, a vital implementation that can assist the sustainment of the transformation, is monthly recognition. Monthly recognition will give Marines the opportunity to feel their hard work is being acknowledged by their superiors. “This recognition increases Marines’ vertical cohesion to the unit and command” (United States, 1999, p.54). In the publication of Sustaining the Transformation, the story of James Smith and Tommy Smith depicts the influence recognition has on a Marine. Since James Smith was being recognized and praised by his NCO, he felt more motivated and had a higher level of pride of his unit. His pride and motivation ultimately led him to the road of success. Unlike his brother, James was never recognized or appreciated by his command. The lack of recognition led him to make wrong choices. If his command would have recognized his success, a higher level of trust and confidence could have been established between the two parties, and allowed the NCO to lead the marine on the path of success.

In addition, sustaining the transformation, is an obstacle that can be facilitated through the implementation of a standard intake process, unit events and monthly recognition. With an intake process established, Marines are able to build cohesion within their command and establish a great outlook for their future with their unit. Likewise, conducting Battalion tournaments and activities along with actively recognizing achievements, will help Marines sustain self-reliance and lead them to the path of success. Given these recommendations, leaders can ensure their junior Marines complete the transformation cycle, ultimately returning to the civilian world as better individuals.

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