- BEARING
- Definition. Creating a favorable
impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.
- Significance. The ability to look,
act, and speak like a leader whether or not these manifestations indicate one's
true feelings. Some signs of these traits are clear and plain speech, an erect
gait, and impeccable personal appearance.
- Example. Wearing clean, pressed
uniforms, and shining boots and brass. Avoiding profane and vulgar language.
Keeping a trim, fit appearance. Keeping your head, keeping your word and
keeping your temper.
- COURAGE
- Definition. Courage is a mental
quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a Marine to
proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
- Significance. Knowing and standing
for what is right, even in the face of popular disfavor, is often the leader's
lot. The business of fighting and winning wars is a dangerous one; the
importance of courage on the battlefield is obvious.
- Example. Accepting criticism for
making subordinates field day for an extra hour to get the job done correctly.
- DECISIVENESS
- Definition. Ability to make
decisions promptly and to announce them in a clear, forceful manner.
- Significance. The quality of
character which guides a person to accumulate all available facts in a
circumstance, weigh the facts, choose and announce an alternative which seems
best. It is often better that a decision be made promptly than a potentially
better one be made at the expense of more time.
- Example. A leader who sees a
potentially dangerous situation developing, immediately takes action to prevent
injury from occurring. For example, if he/she sees a unit making a forced march
along a winding road without road guards posted, he/she should immediately
inform the unit leader of the oversight, and if senior to that unit leader,
direct that proper precautions be taken.
- DEPENDABILITY
- Definition. The certainty of
proper performance of duty.
- Significance. The quality which
permits a senior to assign a task to a junior with the understanding that it
will be accomplished with minimum supervision. This understanding includes the
assumption that the initiative will be taken on small matters not covered by
instructions.
- Example. The squad leader ensures
that his/her squad falls out in the proper uniform without having been told to
by the platoon sergeant. The staff officer, who hates detailed, tedious
paperwork, yet makes sure the report meets his/her and his/her supervisor's
standards before having it leave his desk.
- ENDURANCE
- Definition. The mental and
physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and
hardship
- Significance. The quality of
withstanding pain during a conditioning hike in order to improve stamina is
crucial in the development of leadership. Leaders are responsible for leading
their units in physical endeavors and for motivating them as well.
- Example. A Marine keeping up on a
10-mile forced march even though he/she has blisters on both feet and had only
an hour of sleep the previous night. An XO who works all night to ensure that
promotion/pay problems are corrected as quickly as humanly possible because
he/she realizes that only through this effort can one of his/her Marines receive
badly needed back-pay the following morning.
- ENTHUSIASM
- Definition. The display of sincere
interest and exuberance in the performance of duty
- Significance. Displaying interest
in a task, and an optimism that it can be successfully completed,
greatly enhances the likelihood that the task will be successfully
completed.
- Example. A Marine who leads a
chant or offers to help carry a load that is giving someone great difficulty
while on a hike despite being physically tired himself, encourages his fellow
Marines to persevere.
- INITIATIVE
- Definition. Taking action in the
absence of orders.
- Significance. Since an NCO often
works without close supervision, emphasis is placed on being a self-starter.
Initiative is a founding principle of Marine Corps Warfighting philosophy.
- Example. In the unexplained
absence of the platoon sergeant, an NCO takes charge of the platoon and carries
out the training schedule.
- INTEGRITY
- Definition. Uprightness of
character and soundness of moral principles. The quality of truthfulness and
honesty.
- Significance. A Marine's word is
his/her bond. Nothing less than complete honesty in all of your dealings with
subordinates, peers, and superiors is acceptable.
- Example. A Marine who uses the
correct technique on the obstacle course, even when he/she cannot be seen by the
evaluator. During an inspection, if something goes wrong or is not corrected as
had been previously directed, he/she can be counted upon to always respond
truthfully and honestly.
- JUDGMENT
- Definition. The ability to weigh
facts and possible courses of action in order to make sound decisions.
- Significance. Sound judgment
allows a leader to make appropriate decisions in the guidance and training of
his/her Marines and the employment of his/her unit. A Marine who exercises good
judgment weighs pros and cons accordingly to arrive at an appropriate
decision/take proper action.
- Example. A Marine properly
apportions his/her liberty time in order to relax as well as to study.
- JUSTICE
- Definition. Giving reward and
punishment according to the merits of the case in question. The ability to
administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.
- Significance. The quality of
displaying fairness and impartiality is critical in order to gain the trust and
respect of subordinates and maintain discipline and unit cohesion, particularly
in the exercise of responsibility as a leader.
- Example. Fair apportionment of
tasks by a squad leader during all field days. Having overlooked a critical
piece of evidence which resulted in the unjust reduction of a NCO in a highly
publicized incident, the CO sets the punishment aside and restores him to his
previous grade even though he knows it will displease his seniors or may reflect
negatively on his fitness report. (Also an example of courage.)
- KNOWLEDGE
- Definition. Understanding of a
science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional
knowledge and an understanding of your Marines.
- Significance. The gaining and
retention of current developments in military and naval science and world
affairs is important for your growth and development.
- Example. The Marine who not only
knows how to maintain and operate his assigned weapon, but also knows how to use
the other weapons and equipment in the unit.
- LOYALTY
- Definition. The quality of
faithfulness to country, the Corps, and unit, and to one's seniors,
subordinates, and peers.
- Significance. The motto of our
Corps is Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. You owe unswerving loyalty up
and down the chain of command: to seniors, subordinates, and peers.
- Example. A Marine displaying
enthusiasm in carrying out an order of a senior, though he may privately
disagree with it. The order may be to conduct a particularly dangerous patrol.
The job has to be done, and even if the patrol leader disagrees, he must impart
confidence and enthusiasm for the mission to his men.
- TACT
- Definition. The ability to deal
with others without creating hostility.
- Significance. The quality of
consistently treating peers, seniors, and subordinates with respect and courtesy
is a sign of maturity. Tact allows commands, guidance, and opinions to be
expressed in a constructive and beneficial manner. This deference must be
extended under all conditions regardless of true feelings.
- Example. A Marine discreetly
points out a mistake in drill to a NCO by waiting until after the unit has been
dismissed and privately asking which of the two methods are correct. He/she
anticipates that the NCO will realize the correct method when shown, and later
provide correct instruction to the unit.
- UNSELFISHNESS
- Definition. Avoidance of providing
for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.
- Significance. The quality of
looking out for the needs of your subordinates before your own is the essence of
leadership. This quality is not to be confused with putting these matters ahead
of the accomplishment of the mission.
- An NCO ensures all members of his
unit have eaten before he does, or if water is scarce, he will share what he has
and ensure that others do the same. Another example occurs frequently when a
Marine receives a package of food from home: the delicacies are shared with
everyone in the squad. Yet another form of unselfishness involves the time of
the leader. If a Marine needs extra instruction or guidance, the leader is
expected to make his/her free time available whenever a need arises.
Many Marines remember these traits with the acronym
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE
Justice
Judgement
Dependability
I nitiative
Decisiveness
Tact
I ntegrity
Enthusiam |
 |
Bearing
Unselfishness
Courage
Knowledge
Loyalty
Endurance |
