Content area
Full Text
The Corps must never stop instilling its values.
Let's roll!" If those words don't send a chill up your spine, then possibly you haven't heard them in the context in which they were famously uttered. For we more "senior" Marines, I defer to the movie Aliens (Part JI), where the futuristic sci-fi Marines take on an entire platoon of creatures in a final protective fire mission. "Let's rock and roll," as shouted by "Vasquez," is followed by pulse-laser machinegun fire-this might give us the same adrenaline rush as our young people hearing the opening quote. That passion of patriotism and camaraderie as civilians call it-what we as Marines call esprit de corps-is a gut-filling, chest-squeezing, eye-swelling feeling . of pride and physical power-a recall of our sense of duty, honor, and purpose as a Marine.
Core/Corps Values
What are they, and what do they mean? Do we have them when we sign up, or are they taught to us at recruit training and Officer Candidates School? Do we develop these values as Marines, or are they unchangeable elements of our upbringing only open to minor deviations-a façade of putting on our daily Marine armor, as if a set of utilities, then removing them once outside the workspaces?
Can we, and if so, how do we, instill that sense of pride in today's young Marines? What are we to do about the relativistic attitudes of some of our young Marines of the "X" generation?
While talking with many of my commissioned, warrant, and staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs), including a few sergeants major, I have been given much input and many opinions as to why this dilemma is facing our Corps. I have listened attentively and gleaned some excellent ideas to solve this challenge. It is agreed that leadership and mentorship of our new SNCOs and junior officers is required. They are the X generation-permissively parented, media-influenced, and relativistic in thought-who are now becoming SNCOs and being promoted up the ranks as commissioned officers in the Corps. They are leading by example and by emulating leaders and heroes of their generation-markedly different than the previous "baby boomer" generation. Instead of Father Knmus Best and Gunsmoke, we get the leadership style of The Simpsons and Married With...