Marine Corps Core Values
Before we get to the United States Marine Corps Core Values.
We would like to submit this.
"Regardless of background
Every Marine should understand that being a Marine
Entails embracing and adhering to the
"Core Values of the Marine Corps."
General Carl E. Mundy
The 30th Commandant wrote in a 1992 memorandum,
"Marines are held to the highest standards of personal conduct,
The Nation expects that from us."
"The personal and professional conduct
Decency, integrity,and accountability of Marines,
Must be beyond reproach.
This is a non-negotiable principle."
General Charles C. Krulak
The 31st Commandant said in July of 1996
Our challenge is to be a Corps of men and women who consistently.
Represents the highest moral character in and out of uniform."
Character creates a foundation
From which successful military units are build.
In our upbringing
Our foundation was laid or instilled.
By our families, religious beliefs, schools, peers.
And other influences in our life's.
Marines have always been physically and mentally tough.
We must keep that squarely in our sights,
The fact that toughness can be decisive in combat.
The basic Core Values that very man or woman,
brings with them when they enlist.
Will be addressed by;
"The United States Marine Corps Core Values."
United States Marine Corps Core Values
1. Honor
The Marine Corps is a unique institution
Not just to the military but to the Nation and the world.
Marines, as guardians of the highest standards of excellence.
For our society must embody the responsibility of duty above self.
Including but not limited to:
Integrity
Demonstrating the highest standards of consistent adherence.
To right, legal and ethical conduct.
Responsibility
Personally accepting the consequences
For our own decisions and actions.
Honesty
Honesty in word and action
And clarifying possible misunderstanding
Caused by silence or inaction when you should speak up.
Tell the truth
Respect
Respecting other's property
And demonstrating fairness in all actions,
Marines do not lie,cheat or steal.
Tradition
Respect for customs, courtesies, and tradition
Developed over many years of service
which produced a common Marine Corps history and identity.
Respect for the heritage and traditions of others
Especially those that we may encounter
In our duty around the world.
2. Courage
Moral, mental and physical strength to resist opposition
Face danger and endure hardship
Including but not limit to self-discipline.
Marines are committed to maintaining physical
Moral, and mental health
To fitness and exercise
And to lifelong learning.
Patriotism
Devotion to and the defense of one's Country.
The freely chosen, and informed willingness
To support and defend
The Constitution of the United States of America.
Loyalty
Steady reliability to do one's duty
In service to the United States of America.
The United States Marine Corps
one's Command, one's fellow Marines
Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers,
Citizens, Family and Oneself.
Valor
Boldness and determination in facing danger in battle
And daily commitment to excellence and honesty
In actions large and small.
3. Commitment
The promise or pledge to complete a worthy goal
By worthy means which requires identification with that goal,
And demonstrated actions to support that goal.
including but not limited to:
Competence
Maintaining and improving one's skill level
To support the team.
Commitment to growing toward a standard of excellence
Second to none.
Teamwork
Individual effort in support of the other team members
In accomplishing the team's mission.
Marines take care of their own.
All worthwhile accomplishments
Are the result of a team effort.
Selflessness
Marines take care of their subordinates,
their families,
And their fellow Marines before themselves.
The welfare of our Country
Is more important than our Individual welfare.
Concern for the People
The Marine Corps is the custodian
Of this Nation's future and her young people.
We exist to defend the Nation
But as importantly
we are in the business of creating Honorable citizens.
Everyone is of value
Regardless of race,
Nation of origin, religion or gender.
Concern includes a commitment to improving the level of education
Skill, self esteem,
And a quality of life for Marines and their families.
Spiritual Heritage
The United States Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance
And the creeds that guide our Nation.
Recognize the value of religious and spiritual heritage
Of the individuals and base our understanding
Of rights and duties on the endowment of all the people
By God, with the inalienable rights of life
Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Marines maintain spiritual health and growth
To nurture enduring these values
and acquire a source of strength required for success in battle.
And the ability to endure hardship.
A common set of values to which every Marine adheres
To the best of his or hers ability
Gives us common ground to build strong teams.
As important, if every Marine works
To uphold the Marine Corps Core Values
Their fellow Marine's are more willing to place
Trust and confidence in that Marine's willingness to do the right.
Whether in peace time or combat.
Strong Marines, believing in the same ideals,
Adhering to the same code of behavior and ethics.
Working to accomplish the same mission
Are an unbeatable combination.
"Every Marine is a representative of their Corps"
On duty or on liberty, every action
Reflects either positively or negatively
On what the American people and the world
Thinks of the United States Marine Corps
Strive your hardest to adhere to the values
That make a Marine unique and you will not let the Corps,
Your fellow Marines, your Family or your Country down.
Try to live these Core Values everyday of your life
Or they will become just "mealy mouth words on bantered walls"
or words without substance.
Finally we would like to close with these words.
"Trust is not given, nor is it easily earned.
Today trust of the Nation is our inheritance.
A trust earned through selfless valor and determined actions.
Of generations of Marines on distant shores
And misty battlefields of our storied past.
Left to us as part of our predecessor's legacy,
It is now ours to sustain.
The stewardship of this trust is our sacred responsibility.
It is a debt we owe to those who have gone before us,
And a promise we make to those to follow.
It is the guiding light of our ethos.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute
We, who are now Marines today
Have received from them the eternal spirit
which has animated our Corps from generations
And has been the distinguishing mark of Marines in every age.
Semper Fidelis
Major General John A. Lejeune...1921