R 082020Z FEB 05
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL ALMAR(UC)
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 007/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSG/CMC/281100ZJAN2003//
REF/B/MSG/CMC/111500ZJUL1989//
REF/C/MSG/CMC/031500ZJUL1996//
REF/D/MSG/CMC/141325ZJUL2000//
NARR/REF A IS ALMAR 008/03 WHICH CONTAINED THE TEXT OF THE 33 RD
COMMANDANT'S GUIDANCE. REF B IS ALMAR 127/89 THAT ESTABLISHED THE
MARINE CORPS PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM IN SUPPORT OF THE THEN NEW
PME PROGRAM FOR NCO'S, SNCO'S, AND OFFICERS. REF C IS ALMAR 244/96
THAT PROVIDED UPDATED CMC INTENT FOR THE READING PROGRAM. REF D IS
ALMAR 026/00 THAT UPDATED AND REVISED REF C.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE.  IN REF A, I STATED "IN ORDER TO
INCREASE THE DEPTH OF OUR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, WE WILL
REINVIGORATE THE PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM."  THE PURPOSE OF THIS
ALMAR IS TO INITIATE ACTIONS THAT WILL ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL,
CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH OF AGGRESSIVE AND INFORMED LEADERS, AND
ABOVE ALL ENSURE THAT OUR MAIN EFFORT AS SERIOUS PRACTITIONERS OF
THE PROFESSION OF ARMS REMAINS EXCELLENCE IN WARFIGHTING.
2.  OBJECTIVES.  THE 29TH COMMANDANT, GENERAL A. M. GRAY, IDENTIFIED
IN HIS INITIATING DOCUMENTS FOR THIS PROGRAM, REF B, SIX OBJECTIVES
FOR THE PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A CONTINUUM
OF STUDY FOR ALL MARINE LEADERS.  THESE OBJECTIVES ARE UNCHANGED AND
ARE REITERATED AS FOLLOWS:
A.  TO IMPART A SENSE OF MARINE VALUES AND TRAITS.
B.  TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR PROFESSION.
C.  TO IMPROVE ANALYTICAL AND REASONING SKILLS.
D.  TO INCREASE CAPACITY OF USING PRINTED MEDIA AS A MEANS OF
LEARNING AND COMMUNICATION.
E.  TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR NATION'S INSTITUTIONS AND THE
PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH OUR COUNTRY AND WAY OF LIFE WERE FOUNDED.
F.  TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD'S GOVERNMENTS, CULTURE, AND
GEOGRAPHY.
3.  BACKGROUND.  PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN
AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRATEGIC LANDSCAPE AND THE UNIQUE
DECISION-MAKING REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH COMBAT SITUATION.  TODAY'S
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT, CHARACTERIZED BY UNCERTAINTY AND LETHALITY,
REQUIRES LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS THAT ARE MENTALLY AS WELL AS
PHYSICALLY AGILE AND CAPABLE OF MAKING DIFFICULT, TIMELY DECISIONS
IN THE MIDST OF COMPLEX AND STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.  REPETITIVE AND
VARYING DECISION-MAKING OPPORTUNITIES CREATE COMPETENT JUDGMENT,
FLEXIBILITY, AND ADAPTABILITY.  FIELD TRAINING AND EXERCISES ARE
JUST ONE MEANS TO IMPROVE THOUGHT PROCESSES.  HOWEVER, THESE
OPPORTUNITIES WILL ALWAYS BE LIMITED.  THE TREMENDOUS EXPERIENCES
THAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE GAINED OVER THE AGES CONCERNING THE NATURE
AND CONDUCT OF WAR CAN, IF PROPERLY STUDIED AND UNDERSTOOD, SERVE AS
AN IMPORTANT FORCE MULTIPLIER PROVIDING MYRIAD OPPORTUNITIES TO
"EXPERIENCE" DECISION MAKING IN WAR.  DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADERS
DURING OUR RECENT OPERATIONS IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM CONFIRM
THIS ASSERTION.  AS GENERAL GRAY STATED,
"SUCCESS IN BATTLE DEPENDS ON MANY THINGS, SOME OF WHICH WE WILL NOT
FULLY CONTROL.  HOWEVER, THE STATE OF PREPAREDNESS OF OUR MARINES
(PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OPERATIONAL) IS IN OUR
HANDS.  THE STUDY OF OUR PROFESSION THROUGH SELECTED READINGS WILL
ASSIST EACH MARINE'S EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL COMPETENCE AND
TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF OUR 'CALLING' AS LEADERS OF
MARINES."  
A PERFECT LIST IS ALWAYS SUBJECT TO DEBATE AND DISCUSSIONS; BUT THAT
SPIRIT OF DISCUSSION IS WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE A SHARED
INCREASED IN OUR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY AND FOSTER INCREASED
COHESION OF EFFORT.  THE REVISED PROFESSIONAL READING LIST MEETS THE
ENDURING OBJECTIVES STATED ABOVE AND WILL GREATLY ASSIST IN
ACHIEVING MY GUIDANCE GOAL OF EXCELLENCE IN WARFIGHTING THROUGH
COMPETENCE AND COMRADESHIP.  IT WAS DEVELOPED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING
GUIDANCE:
A.  THE LIST DOES NOT INCORPORATE FLEETING TRENDS.
B.  IT EMPHASIZES WARFIGHTING.
C.  IT IS HISTORICALLY BASED.
D.  IT USES SERIOUS LITERATURE THAT HAS AN ESTABLISHED PERMANENCE.
E.  IT ENCOMPASSES A BROAD CONTEXT.
F.  AND, IT IS ACHIEVABLE BY ALL MARINES.
4.  READING LIST.  THE PROFESSIONAL READING LIST IS A COMPONENT OF
THE PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM THAT IS, IN TURN, AN ELEMENT OF OUR
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.  IT SERVES AS A STANDARDIZED GUIDE
THAT PROVIDES A COMMON UNDERSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE MARINE CORPS AND
STIMULATES INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY.  A NUMBER OF BOOKS ARE ON THE
READING LIST OF MULTIPLE RANKS (E.G. PVT/PFC/LCPL AND 2ND AND 1ST
LTS).  THE FOLLOWING IS THE READING LIST THAT SUPPORTS THE PROGRAM.
IT IS FORMATTED: TITLE, AUTHOR.)
A.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANKS OF
PVT/PFC/LCPL:
- A MESSAGE TO GARCIA, HUBBARD
- BLACKHAWK DOWN, BOWDEN
- RIFLEMAN DODD, FORESTER
- THE DEFENSE OF DUFFER'S DRIFT, SWINTON
- THE KILLER ANGELS, SHAARA
- THE SOLDIER'S LOAD, MARSHALL
- U.S. CONSTITUTION
B.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANKS OF
CPL/SGT:
- BATTLE LEADERSHIP, VON SCHELL
- FIELDS OF FIRE, WEBB
- FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, BRADLEY
- GATES OF FIRE, PRESSFIELD
- THE BRIDGE AT DONG HA, MILLER
- THE LAST FULL MEASURE, SHAARA
- THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, CRANE
- THE UNITED STATES MARINES: A HISTORY, SIMMONS
- TIP OF THE SPEAR, MICHAELS
- WITH THE OLD BREED AT PELELIEU AND OKINAWA, SLEDGE
C.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
SSGT:
- ATTACKS!, ROMMEL
- PEGASUS BRIDGE, AMBROSE
- PHASE LINE GREEN - THE BATTLE FOR HUE 1968, WARR
- THE ARAB MIND, PATAI
- THE ART OF WAR, SUN TZU (GRIFFIN)
- THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER, SAJER
- THE VILLAGE, WEST
- THIS KIND OF WAR, FEHRENBACH
- WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE, MOORE AND GALLOWAY
D. THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
GYSGT:
- BREAKOUT, RUSS
- CITIZEN SOLDIERS, AMBROSE
- COMMAND IN WAR, VAN CREVELD
- MY AMERICAN JOURNEY, POWELL
- NAVAJO WEAPON, MCCLAIN
- SAVAGE WARS OF PEACE, BOOT
- SEMPER FIDELIS: THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS, MILLET
- UNACCUSTOMED TO FEAR, WILLCOCK
E.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
MSGT/1STSGT:
- BAND OF BROTHERS, AMBROSE
- BAYONET FORWARD!, CHAMBERLAIN
- DEFEAT INTO VICTORY, SLIM
- SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM, LAWRENCE
- STRONG MEN ARMED, LECKIE
- THE FACE OF BATTLE, KEEGAN
- THE MASK OF COMMAND, KEEGAN
- WAR IN THE SHADOWS, ASPREY
F.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
MGYSGT/SGTMAJ:
- FIRST TO FIGHT, KRULAK
- FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE, MYERS
- NO BENDED KNEE, TWINING
- REMINISCENCES OF A MARINE, LEJEUNE
G.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
WO-1:
- LEADING MARINES: MCWP 6-11
- SMALL WARS MANUAL
- THE ARMED FORCES OFFICER, MARSHALL
- THE QUIET AMERICAN, GREENE
- VICTORY AT HIGH TIDE, HEINL
H.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY MIDSHIPMEN AND
OFFICER CANDIDATES:
- A MESSAGE TO GARCIA, HUBBARD
- BEAT TO QUARTERS, FORESTER
- CHESTY, HOFFMAN
- THE UNITED STATES MARINES: A HISTORY, SIMMONS
- WARFIGHTING MCDP 1
I.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANKS OF
2NDLT:
- CLEARED HOT, STOFFEY
- CHANCELLORSVILLE, SEARS
- FIELDS OF FIRE, WEBB
- ON INFANTRY, ENGLISH AND GUDMUNDSSON
- RIFLEMAN DODD, FORESTER
- THE ARAB MIND, PATAI
- THE EASTER OFFENSIVE, TURLEY
- THE FACE OF BATTLE, KEEGAN
- THIS KIND OF WAR, FEHRENBACH
J.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANKS OF
1STLT/
CWO-2:
- A PEOPLE NUMEROUS AND ARMED, SHY
- ALL FOR THE UNION, RHODES
- ATTACKS!, ROMMEL
- COMPANY COMMANDER, MACDONALD
- ONCE AN EAGLE, MYRER
- REMINISCENCES OF A MARINE, LEJEUNE
- THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER, SAJER
- THE STORM OF STEEL, JUNGER
- THE UGLY AMERICAN, LEDERER AND BURDICK
- UTMOST SAVAGERY, ALEXANDER
K.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
CAPT/CWO-3:
- COMMAND IN WAR, VAN CREVELD
- EAGLE AGAINST THE SUN, SPECTER
- FIELD ARTILLERY AND FIREPOWER, BAILEY
- FIELDS OF BATTLE, KEEGAN
- FROM BEIRUT TO JERUSALEM, FRIEDMAN
- GOODBYE DARKNESS, MANCHESTER
- INFANTRY IN BATTLE, MARSHALL
- SAVAGE WARS OF PEACE, BOOT
- STONEWALL IN THE VALLEY, TANNER
- TERRORISM TODAY, HARMON
- THE ART OF WAR, SUN TZU (GRIFFITH)
- UNACCUSTOMED TO FEAR, WILLCOCK
L.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
MAJ/CWO-4:
- A BRIGHT SHINING LIE, SHEEHAN
- BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM: THE CIVIL WAR ERA, MCPHERSON
- CRUCIBLE OF WAR, ANDERSON
- EUROPEAN ARMIES, STRACHAN
- FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE, MILLET AND MASLOWSKI
- GRANT TAKES COMMAND, CATTON
- ON WAR, VON CLAUSEWITZ (HOWARD AND PARET)
- STRATEGY, HART
- THE GENERAL, FORESTER
- THE GLORIOUS CAUSE, MIDDLEKAUFF
- THE GUNS OF AUGUST, TUCHMAN
- THE HISTORY OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR, THUCYDIDES (LANDMARK VERSION
BY STRASSER)
- THE MASK OF COMMAND, KEEGAN
M.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
LTCOL/
CWO-5:
- A REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE AT WAR, ROYSTER
- DEFEAT INTO VICTORY, SLIM
- FRONTIERSMEN IN BLUE, UTLEY
- MASTERS OF WAR, HANDEL
- ONE HUNDRED DAYS, WOODWARD
- PATTON: A GENIUS FOR WAR, D'ESTE
- SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM, LAWRENCE
- THE ARMY AND VIET NAM, KREPINEVICH
- THE LEXUS AND THE OLIVE TREE, FRIEDMAN
- THE ROOTS OF BLITZKRIEG, CORUM
- SUPPLYING WAR, VAN CREVELD
N.  THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR READING BY THE RANK OF
COL THROUGH GEN:
- ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION, MCPHERSON
- ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, REMARQUE
- CARNAGE AND CULTURE, HANSON
- CRUSADE IN EUROPE, EISENHOWER
- DERELICTION OF DUTY, MCMASTER
- DIPLOMACY, KISSINGER
- EISENHOWER'S LIEUTENANTS, WEIGLEY
- FLEET TACTICS AND COASTAL COMBAT, HUGHES
- FEEDING MARS, LYNN
- GENERALSHIP; ITS DISEASES AND THEIR CURES, FULLER
- INVENTING GRAND STRATEGY AND TEACHING COMMAND, SUMIDA
- MEMOIRS OF GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN, EDITED BY MCFEELY
- MILITARY INNOVATION IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD, MURRAY AND MILLET
- SUPREME COMMAND, COHEN
- THE CAMPAIGNS OF NAPOLEON, CHANDLER
- THE CONDUCT OF WAR, FULLER
- THE RAPE OF NANKING, CHANG
- WAR AND PEACE, TOLSTOY
5.  ACTIONS.  THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE
REINVIGORATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM:
A.  ALL MARINES ARE TO ACTIVELY READ AND DISCUSS BOOKS FROM THE
READING LIST.  
B.  COMMANDING GENERALS AND COMMANDERS WILL:
(1) ACTIVELY INCORPORATE THE READING PROGRAM INTO THEIR COMMAND
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO
ENCOURAGE READING AND FOSTER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
DISCUSSION OF SHARED INSIGHTS.  DIALOG AND DISCUSSION ARE THE BEST
MEANS TO INCREASE COMMON UNDERSTANDING.  THERE ARE INTENTIONAL
LINKAGES OF BOOKS AMONG RANKS TO ASSIST IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL.
(2) COMMANDERS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO TAILOR THE PROGRAM TO MEET
CONSTRAINTS OF OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
C.  CG, MCCDC WILL:
(1) REVISE AND REPUBLISH A BOOK ON BOOKS - THE REFERENCE PUBLICATION
THAT PROVIDES A SYNOPSIS OF ALL BOOKS ON THE LIST AND DESCRIBES ITS
RELEVANCE TO THE READER, ITS PRINCIPLE THEMES, AND HOW IT CAN BE
ACQUIRED.  THIS MANUAL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AND UP TO DATE ON LINE.
(2) DEVELOP A WEBSITE TO ASSIST UNIT LEADERS IN DEVELOPING AND
CONDUCTING A PROGRAM IN THEIR UNIT.  THIS SITE SHOULD EVENTUALLY
PROVIDE STUDY GUIDES, DISCUSSION MATERIAL, HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENTS TO
READINGS (E.G., LINKS TO HISTORICAL INFORMATION LIKE MAPS AND AFTER
ACTION REPORTS FOR KEY BATTLES AND ADDITIONAL READINGS ON SIMILAR
TOPICS FOR THOSE INTERESTED), BULLETIN BOARDS TO ENCOURAGE
INITIATIVE AND CORPS-WIDE DIALOG, AND CHANGES TO THE LIST AND
CHOICES.
(3) DEVELOP AN INTERNAL CAMPAIGN TO ADVERTISE THE MARINE CORPS
READING PROGRAM, TO PROMOTE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, AND TO FACILITATE
ACCESS TO BOOKS.
(4) SERVE AS OR APPOINT AN EXECUTIVE AGENT TO ENSURE THAT THE
PROFESSIONAL READING PROGRAM REMAINS HEALTHY AND CONTINUES TO MEET
THE MARINE CORPS' OVERALL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GOALS.
(5) REVISE APPROPRIATE MARINE CORPS DIRECTIVES AS REQUIRED.
D.  GENERAL OFFICERS.  THE SENIOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SLDP)
AT EDUCATION COMMAND HAS COGNIZANCE OVER GENERAL OFFICER
PROFESSIONAL READING.  ADDITIONAL GENERAL OFFICER READINGS WILL BE
ISSUED VIA SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE IN THE FUTURE.
6.  THE EMPHASIS OF THIS PROGRAM IS ON WARFIGHTING.  IT IS A DYNAMIC
PROGRAM AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MEET OUR
OBJECTIVES AND MY GUIDANCE ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.  I EXPECT ALL
MARINES TO CONTINUE THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH READING.  I
CHALLENGE EACH MARINE TO ACTIVELY SPEND TIME PREPARING FOR THE NEXT
BATTLE.  PREPARE YOURSELF IN BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT.  SHARE WHAT YOU
LEARN BY DISCUSSING YOUR READING WITH FELLOW MARINES.  BY READING
AND DISCUSSING, YOU PARTICIPATE MEANINGFULLY IN OUR WARFIGHTING
CULTURE.
7.  KEEP ATTACKING, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//