ODGreen
07-22-10, 04:22 PM
Our focus must always be on identifying and executing how we will fight and win our next battle, tactically, technically, and procedurally. Being brilliant at the basics is essential and will help keep Marines and Sailors alive. However, it will take innovative problem solving abilities, an intimate knowledge of the battlefield, and courage to have success in the counterinsurgency fights we are engaged in today. We must engage and have a genuine, concerned interest in the population we are protecting. We must fight like Marines, but think like Civil Affairs Operators. We must listen more than we speak and we must make every effort to deliver what the population needs. Additionally, this must be paired with a strong operational and strategic understanding of the enemy and the terrain. To accomplish all of this, we will abide by the following tenets:
1. Make bold, aggressive, and confident decisions, always tempered with sound judgment.
2. Avoid group think, it is the enemy. We will have the courage to give honest, even if ugly, assessments and feedback to our leaders.
3. Push the limits, but never at the risk of losing control.
4. Always anticipate what’s next. Be proactive, not reactive. Initiate timely, appropriate actions and come out ahead in all encounters.
5. 3/25 is a family. As in all families, there will be differences. We must mitigate conflicts immediately and stay focused on our priorities - fighting and winning battles.
6. Communicate up, down and laterally. If there is an error in communicating, it will be from over communicating, not under communicating.
7. Integrity is everything. We must always do the right thing.
8. Family Readiness and employer relations are key force multipliers. We must make them a priority.
9. Maintain perfect accountability of our equipment. We cannot fight without it and we are the stewards of our Nation’s money.
10. A good sense of humor is priceless, especially when things are at their worst.
11. Discipline as defined by Bobby Knight: "Doing what you have to do, and doing it as well as you possibly can, and doing it that way all the time." Will be the key to our success.
With the Country currently engaged in two wars while having threats around every corner, it would be difficult to find a more honorable time to serve our Nation. It is safe to anticipate we will be called upon to go into harm’s way – be ready!
I further commend you all for serving when our Country needs us most. Let’s make Her proud, doing what we do best – FIGHT AND WIN!
Semper Fidelis,
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence J Kaifesh , 3rd Battalion (3/25)
1. Make bold, aggressive, and confident decisions, always tempered with sound judgment.
2. Avoid group think, it is the enemy. We will have the courage to give honest, even if ugly, assessments and feedback to our leaders.
3. Push the limits, but never at the risk of losing control.
4. Always anticipate what’s next. Be proactive, not reactive. Initiate timely, appropriate actions and come out ahead in all encounters.
5. 3/25 is a family. As in all families, there will be differences. We must mitigate conflicts immediately and stay focused on our priorities - fighting and winning battles.
6. Communicate up, down and laterally. If there is an error in communicating, it will be from over communicating, not under communicating.
7. Integrity is everything. We must always do the right thing.
8. Family Readiness and employer relations are key force multipliers. We must make them a priority.
9. Maintain perfect accountability of our equipment. We cannot fight without it and we are the stewards of our Nation’s money.
10. A good sense of humor is priceless, especially when things are at their worst.
11. Discipline as defined by Bobby Knight: "Doing what you have to do, and doing it as well as you possibly can, and doing it that way all the time." Will be the key to our success.
With the Country currently engaged in two wars while having threats around every corner, it would be difficult to find a more honorable time to serve our Nation. It is safe to anticipate we will be called upon to go into harm’s way – be ready!
I further commend you all for serving when our Country needs us most. Let’s make Her proud, doing what we do best – FIGHT AND WIN!
Semper Fidelis,
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence J Kaifesh , 3rd Battalion (3/25)