As Marines, our ultimate goal is mission readiness. Mission readiness requires strong leadership and adherence to our Core Values. Embedded in our Core Values is the devotion to our fellow Marines – “taking care of our own”. This is fundamental to our culture, and can only exist in an environment where each Marine or Sailor is treated with respect and dignity – regardless of race, color, gender, religion, or national origin.
Discrimination and harassment are contrary to our culture. They violate the trust that we place in one another. They have corrosive effects on the cohesiveness of our war fighting team and our mission readiness. The Commandant states, “Our most valuable asset is the individual Marine, and we must ensure that optimal conditions are set for each member of our diverse Marine Corps family to succeed”. This can only be done if a standard of equal treatment and opportunity is enforced. I will enforce the equal treatment and opportunity of every Marine. Equal Opportunity is the responsibility of all members of this unit. We are all accountable to do the right thing and hold each other to our core values. Treat your fellow Marine as you would want to be treated.
The Informal Resolution System is the preferred means of resolving any actual or perceived discriminatory conduct that is not of a criminal nature. This system qualifies the discriminatory behavior, engages unit leadership at the appropriate level, and provides the fastest means of restoring a cohesive command climate.
Intentional or criminal acts of prejudicial discrimination shall be brought to the attention of the Commanding Officer, via the chain of command, for disciplinary action; Request Mast is also an appropriate process for informing the chain of command. Discriminatory acts of this nature can be addressed by Non-Judicial Punishment, Court Martial, and/or Administrative Separation.