10thzodiac
10-26-06, 11:42 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.--When a young American enlists in the Marine Corps, he or she undergoes a 13-week test to enhance leadership skills and instill physical and mental discipline. Recruit training is renowned for being physically challenging and exhausting, but a worthy price to be paid when, on graduation day, the recruit is called Marine for the first time.
Those rites of passage usher the fledgling Marine into the family and they become a sibling to every Marine past and present. These ties are reinforced in speech and ritual. As one of his final acts as II Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. James F. Amos underscored the importance of maintaining kin ties in a policy letter constructed with specific conduct requirements for the II MEF family.
Policy Letter 09-06, “Hazing Policy, Education and Prevention,” released July 27, clearly spells out rigid consequences for leaders who attempt to carry on the distorted and unhealthy leadership practice of hazing, and invokes a “guilt by association,” clause for Marines who witness, hear of or suspect hazing incidents.
With the general’s words hot off the press, the clock is ticking for commands throughout the MEF to detect, prevent and educate all Marines on what Amos calls, “a cancer that must be immediately eliminated from our ranks."
Supporting All-Marine Message 045-03, the policy letter tasks II MEF commanders at all levels, with the education of Marines and sailors to identify and stop hazing in its tracks. It further tasks leaders with taking immediate administrative or disciplinary action, and the completion of hazing education throughout the MEF by Aug. 27. Additional training and climate surveys will be utilized at key points in the operational cycle of each unit.
The Corps has a zero tolerance policy in dealing with hazing. According to the MEF policy letter, commanders are to report all incidents and allegations directly to the CG, inspector general and staff judge advocate using the fastest means available. These initial reports, though rudimentary, will be maintained in a solely dedicated historical database.
Any suspected instance of hazing will be documented by the II MEF Staff Judge Advocate from its infancy in the form of suspicion through the completion of the investigation and any related action taken.
Marine Corps Order 1700.28 defines hazing as one military member treating another with cruel, abusive, humiliating, and/or oppressive behavior, to include physically striking another to inflict pain, piercing another’s skin and verbally berating an individual. The list goes on to include forcing another to do harmful acts, such as drinking excessively, breaking the law or inherently dangerous stunts in the name of initiation or congratulations.
For example, a gunnery sergeant congratulates his newly promoted lance corporal by pounding the spikes on the back of his chevrons through his collar and into his skin. Is this hazing? According to the ALMAR and the MEF policy letter, yes.
A corporal inspects her subordinate’s living spaces to see if they are clean, and after noticing substantial dirt on the window sill, instructs the Marine to clean it. Is that illegal? No, it is not.
The order isn’t suggesting, by any means, that life in the Marine Corps is a rose garden full of easy work and restful nights, as it further states hazing does not include mission or operational activities. This means a Marine may be subject to a number of tough circumstances in the name of training or real-world mission accomplishment.
With a myriad of traditions within the framework of the illustrious Corps, Marines may be at risk to perceive hazing as a menial transgression. Stories of “old Corps” floggings, leaders with swagger sticks tucked under their arms and punishing work details litter the sea stories of elder veterans.
Today’s Marine Corps is more educated, more advanced and stronger than ever, and the seemingly obvious philosophy behind healthy work relationships is a driving force in the United States’ success in the War on Terrorism.
“The weak-minded, predatory and highly misguided Marines and sailors who engage in hazing, either directly or indirectly, or who shirk their responsibility to root it out and stop it at the earliest opportunity, could receive administrative and disciplinary action,” stated Amos.
In surprisingly realistic language, the Marine Corps order on hazing explains, “Marines do not go into harm’s way, make the sacrifices they always have, or give up their precious lives because they have been hazed or initiated into some self-defined, ‘elite’ sub-culture.
That said, Amos takes it a step further:
“Hazing leaves psychological scars on our young Marines and sailors, destroys unit cohesion and absolutely reduces combat readiness and effectiveness,” he said.
Marines of all ranks who feel they have been subjected to, witnessed or conducted hazing should immediately report the incident through their chain of command. Unit Equal Opportunity advisors, chaplains and commanding officers can assist Marines with the process to rectify the situation. The bottom line is no excuses, no exceptions – no hazing.
Those rites of passage usher the fledgling Marine into the family and they become a sibling to every Marine past and present. These ties are reinforced in speech and ritual. As one of his final acts as II Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt. Gen. James F. Amos underscored the importance of maintaining kin ties in a policy letter constructed with specific conduct requirements for the II MEF family.
Policy Letter 09-06, “Hazing Policy, Education and Prevention,” released July 27, clearly spells out rigid consequences for leaders who attempt to carry on the distorted and unhealthy leadership practice of hazing, and invokes a “guilt by association,” clause for Marines who witness, hear of or suspect hazing incidents.
With the general’s words hot off the press, the clock is ticking for commands throughout the MEF to detect, prevent and educate all Marines on what Amos calls, “a cancer that must be immediately eliminated from our ranks."
Supporting All-Marine Message 045-03, the policy letter tasks II MEF commanders at all levels, with the education of Marines and sailors to identify and stop hazing in its tracks. It further tasks leaders with taking immediate administrative or disciplinary action, and the completion of hazing education throughout the MEF by Aug. 27. Additional training and climate surveys will be utilized at key points in the operational cycle of each unit.
The Corps has a zero tolerance policy in dealing with hazing. According to the MEF policy letter, commanders are to report all incidents and allegations directly to the CG, inspector general and staff judge advocate using the fastest means available. These initial reports, though rudimentary, will be maintained in a solely dedicated historical database.
Any suspected instance of hazing will be documented by the II MEF Staff Judge Advocate from its infancy in the form of suspicion through the completion of the investigation and any related action taken.
Marine Corps Order 1700.28 defines hazing as one military member treating another with cruel, abusive, humiliating, and/or oppressive behavior, to include physically striking another to inflict pain, piercing another’s skin and verbally berating an individual. The list goes on to include forcing another to do harmful acts, such as drinking excessively, breaking the law or inherently dangerous stunts in the name of initiation or congratulations.
For example, a gunnery sergeant congratulates his newly promoted lance corporal by pounding the spikes on the back of his chevrons through his collar and into his skin. Is this hazing? According to the ALMAR and the MEF policy letter, yes.
A corporal inspects her subordinate’s living spaces to see if they are clean, and after noticing substantial dirt on the window sill, instructs the Marine to clean it. Is that illegal? No, it is not.
The order isn’t suggesting, by any means, that life in the Marine Corps is a rose garden full of easy work and restful nights, as it further states hazing does not include mission or operational activities. This means a Marine may be subject to a number of tough circumstances in the name of training or real-world mission accomplishment.
With a myriad of traditions within the framework of the illustrious Corps, Marines may be at risk to perceive hazing as a menial transgression. Stories of “old Corps” floggings, leaders with swagger sticks tucked under their arms and punishing work details litter the sea stories of elder veterans.
Today’s Marine Corps is more educated, more advanced and stronger than ever, and the seemingly obvious philosophy behind healthy work relationships is a driving force in the United States’ success in the War on Terrorism.
“The weak-minded, predatory and highly misguided Marines and sailors who engage in hazing, either directly or indirectly, or who shirk their responsibility to root it out and stop it at the earliest opportunity, could receive administrative and disciplinary action,” stated Amos.
In surprisingly realistic language, the Marine Corps order on hazing explains, “Marines do not go into harm’s way, make the sacrifices they always have, or give up their precious lives because they have been hazed or initiated into some self-defined, ‘elite’ sub-culture.
That said, Amos takes it a step further:
“Hazing leaves psychological scars on our young Marines and sailors, destroys unit cohesion and absolutely reduces combat readiness and effectiveness,” he said.
Marines of all ranks who feel they have been subjected to, witnessed or conducted hazing should immediately report the incident through their chain of command. Unit Equal Opportunity advisors, chaplains and commanding officers can assist Marines with the process to rectify the situation. The bottom line is no excuses, no exceptions – no hazing.