fontman
08-11-06, 01:21 PM
THOUGHTS ON U.S. MARINE CORPS SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND COMBAT
By Colonel Frederic L. Tolleson, USMC (Ret)
A Marine leader rarely worries about his own safety; it is his people who concern him.
A Marine leader has a leadership style of commanding from the front, to never ask a subordinate to do something he was unwilling to do himself. He also must be wise enough to know that if he has a subordinate that has a special skill that he may be wise to let the subordinate use it. For these things his people give their loyalty. He in return knows that he can trust them in any situation.
The Marine does not serve for glory and certainly not financial rewards. Marines serve because of their dedication to their nation and to doing the right thing. It is the ideal that someone has to face the dangers that confront our nation. People are needed on the ramparts of freedom to stand the dark watch against any and all who are against freedom. Marines and their fellow services are the gatekeepers. They are the standers of the dark watch.
Today we cannot read a newspaper or watch a TV broadcast without learning of a new atrocity or threat to the American way of life. For that reason all of our armed services will need to stand their dark watch for a long time to come, if not forever.
Marines come to know that they can thrive on danger. Why else could they stay in the business of sustained controlled violence? Their business is being walking, talking, breathing Hell, Death and Destruction. Adrenaline and endorphins start their siren song, humming at the base of their skull, giving that high that only those who'd been there understand. Facing an enemy means facing yourself. Conquering or destroying that enemy provides affirmation of what the individual has always believed about who they are.
Marines train to become proficient warriors. They train together to become warrior units. A unit trains hard together so that in combat they move and think as one by seeming to read each others minds.
Old Marines, in the twilight years of their lives, remember and ponder the wonders of their profession and pray that God smiles upon the young Marines and Navy Corpsmen who are carrying the Corps colors into battle.
The title "Marine" cannot be bought, rented or lent, it can only be earned.
http://www.thefontman.com/the_title.gif
Above image created by me a few years ago...
By Colonel Frederic L. Tolleson, USMC (Ret)
A Marine leader rarely worries about his own safety; it is his people who concern him.
A Marine leader has a leadership style of commanding from the front, to never ask a subordinate to do something he was unwilling to do himself. He also must be wise enough to know that if he has a subordinate that has a special skill that he may be wise to let the subordinate use it. For these things his people give their loyalty. He in return knows that he can trust them in any situation.
The Marine does not serve for glory and certainly not financial rewards. Marines serve because of their dedication to their nation and to doing the right thing. It is the ideal that someone has to face the dangers that confront our nation. People are needed on the ramparts of freedom to stand the dark watch against any and all who are against freedom. Marines and their fellow services are the gatekeepers. They are the standers of the dark watch.
Today we cannot read a newspaper or watch a TV broadcast without learning of a new atrocity or threat to the American way of life. For that reason all of our armed services will need to stand their dark watch for a long time to come, if not forever.
Marines come to know that they can thrive on danger. Why else could they stay in the business of sustained controlled violence? Their business is being walking, talking, breathing Hell, Death and Destruction. Adrenaline and endorphins start their siren song, humming at the base of their skull, giving that high that only those who'd been there understand. Facing an enemy means facing yourself. Conquering or destroying that enemy provides affirmation of what the individual has always believed about who they are.
Marines train to become proficient warriors. They train together to become warrior units. A unit trains hard together so that in combat they move and think as one by seeming to read each others minds.
Old Marines, in the twilight years of their lives, remember and ponder the wonders of their profession and pray that God smiles upon the young Marines and Navy Corpsmen who are carrying the Corps colors into battle.
The title "Marine" cannot be bought, rented or lent, it can only be earned.
http://www.thefontman.com/the_title.gif
Above image created by me a few years ago...