Freshmen Orientation

No matter if you stay in for one enlistment or two, the depth of the Marine Corps is unknown so knowledge will continuously flow and it is endless. All Marines get taught the basics of being a leader in entry level training, but only a few can react to help form their trait into an elite skill only for them. In order to become the elite you have to build a "Foundation of Values" (pg.31) so that respect in all aspects will become evident between the followers and their leader(s). While setting the example it does not matter what rank you are, you still show that the standards that you hold will reflect on who you are as a person and a Marine. Each Marine chooses how their standards and ways will become beneficial not only to the Marine Corps, but to themselves also. Why do ethics make conducting a moment of decision making so hard? At some point and time every Marine will come to a point in their career or life where the grey area will be the path they choose, but will not think that it is the right way. Moral and ethic dilemmas are common more and more each day. Every Marine is taught to be the toughest both physically, and mentally.

have so consistently stood by the Marines in theirs times of trial. Performance is what it is all

Promising wealth, and success Xerxes attempted to bribe Leonidas to join him telling him he could have it all if he would simply kneel before him. Leonidas quickly refused the offer, of power and told Xerxes that they will continue to fight. Outraged by this Xerxes sent wave after wave of his men into the Spartan formation. Leonidas had honor in his actions, doing the right thing, overlooking personal gain, and staying faithful to Sparta and his men. With the Marine Corps value of honor, we as Marines also do these things. With espirit de corps, and a unswerving loyalty to our country we have always been looked upon to do the right thing even when others will not. Even our motto Semper Fidelis is our promise to upkeep that honor.

The Marine Corps does two things: make marines and win our nation’s battles. Winning battles depend on how well we make marines. Those who have earned the title have been polished and honed by attentive mentoring. We have to remember that to sustain the transformation

The Marine Corps. Demand alertness at all times. Building the Marine’s confidence and teaching them the attitudes of group loyalty and

The Marine Corps Experience, pp. 12 – 31 The Corps today, pp 318 – 335

The author points out various examples of the Corps short-comings throughout history. With the Marine Corps already struggling to stay atop its game, it didn’t shed positive light on the situations. With that said, it’s hard to point out the flaws of the Corps without also showing its achievements and how we can overcome any obstacle we are faced with.

10. I believe that every marine should definitely read this book. This book tells about true commitment and courage is about there is a lot to learn from this book. I agree with all the points that the author gave in his writing and think that this book should remain in the commandant’s reading list.

Our junior Marines must begin to write and comprehend at a very high level upon joining the military. At the rank of Lance Corporal you are required to have read and passed a Leading Marines course. In this course you learn from some of the greatest Marines that have come before us. “Thousands of Americans who have borne, and still bear, the title "Marine" are testimony that "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" and "Semper Fidelis" are phrases that define our essence.” (C.E. Mundy, Jr., Leading Marines, Pg. 4). As a junior Marine you are exposed to these amazing writing and you feel the sense of importance these writing have. At this point in your

“There are only two kinds of people who understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else just has a second-hand opinion.” (Gen William Thornson, U.S. Army) For decades, the United States Marine Corps has established an identity as a unique and fearless war fighting machine.

Wright describes the Marines as tough human beings and he draw lines back to the cave-man when he tells about the Marine soldiers motto “Get some!”. He displays them as testosterone filled meatheads who are searching for an adrenalin kick. They are ready to kill and are having an urge to experience combat.

There are very unique jobs that lead people to having different life experiences their first day or week on the job. Joining the military for me was a very interesting last minute plan since such though had never crossed my mind. When the time to leave home arrived, I felt like it was all a dream, as if I had lived in a cloud for a few months. There were a lot of thoughts running through my head when as the bus was approaching the military installation I would be calling home for the next few months. The most important thing I remember doing when I got to basic training was to listen to every single little detail of instruction that was given, and following instructions all the way to the period. There were a lot of diverse things I learned the first week of basic training such as; military values, self-confidence, to be physically and mentally strong, educational programs, and learning about programs to buy property.

Every Marine knows that we fight for each other and nothing will ever come between the brotherhood of Marines. The book Leading Marines talks about three major keys Ethos, Foundation, and Challenges of the United States Marine Corps.

The United States Marine Corps is a frequently misunderstood, occasionally maligned but more frequently mythologized division of the U.S. Armed Forces. Sometimes its role is perceived as overlapping the roles and responsibilities of its military counterparts such as the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. However, as the exhaustive text by Victor Krulak shows, it is far more often seen as enhancing, focusing and insuring the roles and responsibilities. As the original pressing of Krulak's text was completed in 1984, a great many of the sentiments that permeate First in Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps carry pointedly Cold War-related messages and imperatives. However, an open-minded consideration of the text demonstrates a particular relevance for the servicemen and women of today's U.S. Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps is not just an organization but instead it is a mindset, a spirit if you will,