The marines who are otherwise referred to as the marine corps are a branch of the military force which was first created as a ground force under the navy. This military branch was basically given the task to take over the beaches when called into mission, and has since evolve to include other missions on land, sea and even in the air. Moreover, the increased land operations and other security risks demand the need for a more coordinated military element. Thus, by the middle of the 20th century, the marine corps was called to “specialize in the skills and capabilities required for amphibious warfare” (van der Meer, n.p)
Key Roles of the Marines Corps
Sometime in 2010, the Marine Corps piloted an official review of the existing security environment, strategies, public laws and other policies that affect the organization. The objective of the review was to redefine the organizational posture and capabilities that are needed to make certain that the Marine Corps has the ability to make good of its role as the country’s highly alerted expeditionary force (US Marine Corps, 1-16). Accordingly, there are five interrelated tasks that the Marine Corps must be able to fulfil in its capacity:
Conduct military engagement. The capacity to commit to a military engagement is important as a means to establish partner capability;
Respond rapidly to crisis. The Marine Corps must always be prepared in any given situation as they are expected to be able to respond to both man made and natural crisis to help reduce the impact of catastrophes;
Project power. They are also expected to exude smart power which means that they have the knack to determine when to use soft and hard power;
Conduct littoral power. This military branch must be fully equipped and capable to operate in combat from the sea to the shore in any case as a means to gain a positional advantage over the enemy;
Counter irregular threats. This capacity of the Marine Corps involves the use of military force which are usually used in combination with other powerful elements (US Marine Corps, 1-16)
The Making of the Marine
There is a sense of superiority that was developed among the Marine Corps over the years. This comes “from the fact that every marine whether enlisted or officer goes through the same training experience” (Krulak, n.p). Historically, the recruiting, training and education process of the members of the Marine Corps is one among the reason why they enjoy a strong sense of cohesiveness that is way different from among military branch. There is a sense of brotherhood among the members of the Corps and which was evident in the 1921 Marine Corps Manual. According to the manual, the World War has brought considerable change on the relationship between the enlisted men and their officers, such that: “A spirit of comradeship and brotherhood in arms came into being in the training camps and on the battlefields” (Krulak, n.p).
The recruitment of men and women in the marine corps do not rely on bonus or pay enticement. In the publication manual of the Marine Corps, it was cited that what the Corps offer is the challenge for young men and women who got what it takes. Eventually, those who agree to take the challenge find themselves sent to Paris Island, San Diego, or Quantico where they receive training as well as ingrained with the sense of service, honor and discipline (US Marines, n.d)
Accordingly, people who join the marine do so for their own reason. For example, one marine suggested that he joined the Marine Corps because he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father who was also in the Marines. The same interviewee said that he did not regret being in the marine, though there he missed his family as he gets to spend time with them every month or two. In another interview, the marine claimed that the main reason why he joined the marine is that: “I joined the Marines because I love my country so much that I want to give back to it by serving in the Marine”. The marine further stated that he doesn’t regret being a marine and in fact proud of being one, although both the interviewee claimed that they face the challenge of missing their family back home.
The Core Values of the Marines
An interesting fact about the Marines is that they share a common core values which they refer to as the source of their strength, guides their attitudes, and serves to regulate their behavior. These core values connect all Marines as unified brothers who are well-prepared to face any challenges. Accordingly, the set of values is what make them become better individuals, especially, during the time when they will finally re-integrate into the community that often questioned these values. Below are three of the core values that the marines are known for:
Honor. Honor is referred to as the foundation of the marine character, and serves as the quality that leads the Marines to demonstrate the utmost form ethical and moral behavior. That is, it was ingrained during their training and duration of their service to stand by “uncompromising concept of integrity, to respect human dignity, to have concern for each other” (US Marine Corps, 1-6). Accordingly, it is the quality of maturity, dedication, trust and dependability that enable Marines to be responsible for their actions, to live up to their obligations, while holding others liable for their own actions.
Courage. This is considered as the heart of the marine’s core values. It is through the courage that was ingrained in the marine that they were able to develop the mental, moral and physical strength. Courage carries them through every mission, to face the challenges ahead, to be able to master fear, “to do what is right in every situation, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct, to lead by example and to make tough decisions under pressure” (US Marine Corps, 1-6).
Commitment. The marine’s commitment serves to lift up their spirit of determination and dedication. This leads them to achieve professionalism and competence in the art of war, and points to the practice of the utmost order of discipline for both the unit and their self. Moreover, “commitment is the value that establishes the marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate (US Marine Corps, 1-6).
In line with the three core values of honor, courage, and commitment of the marines is their selflessness. It is the element that placed self-interest second only to serving the country, the Corps and the brothers and sisters in the Marine. The importance of their comrades was deeply ingrained among the Marines so that they felt the need to become protectors to each other, especially when faced with adversities.
Works Cited
Krulak, V. First Fight: An Inside View of the US Marine Corps. Naval Institute Press, 2013. Print.
US Marine Corps. Marine Corps Operations. Marine Corps Publication Electronic Library Online, 2011. Web. <http://www.usna.edu/Training/_files/documents/References/2C%20MQS%20References/2015-2016%20MQS/MCDP%201-0%20Marine%20Corps%20Operations.pdf>.
US Marine Corps. Leading Marines. N.p., 2014. Web. <http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/MCWP%206-11_Part1.pdf>.
Van der Meer, Barbora. "Emergency Aircraft Landing Nearly Tramples On Marines Parade." Peoples Media. N.p., 2015. Web. <http://peoplesmedia.ghost.io/marines-pay-visit-to-denver-hospital/>.
