MARINE FIRST! Lt. General Victor Brute Krulak wrote in his book "First to Fight", that our country does not need a Corps, she wants one. She wants one because of all that good name represents...Honor, Courage, and Commitment. We are different than the rest of society, as we the Marines represent a legion of warriors dedicated to winning battles, taking care of each other, and the preservation of an institution dedicated to standing tall above all others...we succeed where others have failed. Our Corps exists and remains among the finest military organizations in the world history because we commit ourselves to being the best...standards and their enforcement mean something. Our MOS's are what we do...Marines are who we are...Our reputation as a battalion begins with our strength of character and our commmitment to being Marines...if you fail at being a Marine, you don't just let yourself down but every man in our battalion...our reputation is only as strong as each Marine and Sailor and we are indebted with a deep sense of responsibility to those past generations of Marines, who through tremendous hardship earned a legacy we enjoy to this day...rememeber, if the title Marine is going to mean anything to everyone else, it has to mean something to you.
MANHOOD 101! Do it right all the time! A big part of "Keeping our Honor Clean" means being a Man. A Man is smart, responsible, and mature. He does what is right even when no one is watching...he does it right even if the decision is not popular. It requires the discipline to make tough calls...it is a critical part of being a Marine and if it were easy, everyone could be a Marine.
LEADERS LEAD! We mentor, teach, challenge, decide, direct, and ultimately, we inspire. We have a moral obligation to engage and lead our Marines by first teaching them what they need to know and the insistence on proper execution of the have been taught. This applies across the spectrum of being a Marine, to include the proper wear of the uniform, the execution of orders and regulations, the application of customs and courtesies, and ultimately our preparedness for combat. Leaders must remember three things: Practice does not Make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect, inspect what you expect as action passed is not action complete and lastly Inspire and motivate Marines to follow, in that every Marine and Sailor aspires to be just like the strong and inspirational leaders who have made lasting impressions on their lives...BE THAT LEADER, THE ONE THEY WANT TO IMMULATE.
FIGHTING MEN FIGHT! Our Corps is made up of our nation's finest. They hail from every thread of the American fabric and are without a doubt, a special breed. There is an extra element to a U.S. Marine...he chose to be a Marine for a reason. He wants to be in the mix, to be pushed to new limits, to be part of somethign bigger than him but ultimately, he joined our ranks because we are the "First to Fight," he joined out Corps to run to the sound of the guns...not away. Our nation is at war. We must stand ready and when our time comes, we must move out, aggressively and without hesitation. To do this effectively and to take care of our own, we must master our trade. Like Spartans, we live a life preparing for that moment in time when we face our enemy in battle...that moment will be decided by the blood, sweat and tears endured before the battle begins...from the frontal assault to Counter-Insurgency Operations and Humanitarian Ops, we must be prapared for a full spectrum of combat...bottom-line, every Marine and Sailor can expect to train often, trian hard, and through mastering the basics, we will be prepared to fight in every clime and place.
FITNESS MATTERS! Physically, Morally and Mentally: The Trinity of combat preparedness. Combat will test every element of this triad; therefore, every Marine and Sailor on this battalion must commit themselves to achieving Physical, Moral And Mental fitness. this Fitness breeds the toughness required to fight any enemy, any place, and the most austere conditions. this can only be achieved through the repetitive and constant application of each arm of this triangle. Leaders must take every opportunity to exercise each element through training and mentoring.
CALL TO CHALLENGE! I call every Marine and Sailor in Combat Assault Battalion to challenge yourself, each other, and those in your charge to reach higher. Set goals and objectives for yourselves and your unit. Motivate and inspire those around you to meet those challenges and never rest on your laurels. Our legacy is built on the extraordinary...Marine and Sailors reaching beyond what they believed possible by refusing to quit in the face of adversity..."Never Quit"
IT'S NOT ABOUT ME! SAY IT OUT LOUD! It is about Country, Corps, and Division. It is about Combat Assault Battalion, It is about our families, but most importantly, it is about our fellow Marines and Sailors...the ones we lead and the ones to our left and right. We are brothers and foremost, we are ONE and to a man, of every Marine and Sailor in this battalion makes it all about our fellow warrior, we will never fail. Ultimately, if we all do this, no Marine or Sailor will ever have to worry about "me," as there will always be a man in overwatch taking care of you.
TAKE CARE OF THE HOMEFRONT! Every Marine and Sailor has an obligation to take care of their family. This not only includes wives and children but parents grandparents, and siblings alike. We all have a stake in the healthy welfare to the home-front; therefore we must all get involved and know the families of our Marines and Sailors. It a Marine or Sailor is right at home, they will be right in battle.
SUI GENERIS! ONE OF A KIND. Combat Asault Battalion is one of a kind. It is like no other battalion in the Marine Corps and we should all be honored to be part of its rich history. As a fellow Marine and your Commander, I am humbled and proud to be a member of our battalion. In addition, the 3rd Marine Division or the Iwo Jima Divison holds a special place in the history of our Corps...Do both proud. I look forward to working, sweating, and standing next to each one of you over the next two years. I am proud to be a fellow ambassador of the Corps on Okinawa and I promise I will always represent our Marine Corps and battalion accordingly...I expect the same from everyone else as well. Lastly, we should be having a good time doing what we love...training, deploying, sharing, camaraderie, and being a Marine, there is no greater calling. Semper Fi Marines!