Principles

• Know yourself and seek self-improvement.

• Be technically and tactically proficient.

• Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.

• Make sound and timely decisions.

• Set the example.

• Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.

• Keep your Marines informed.

• Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

• Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.

• Train your Marines as a team.

• Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.

Traits

• Dependability

  • The certainty of proper performance of duty.

• Bearing

  • Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all times.

• Courage

  • The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.

• Decisiveness

  • Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.

• Endurance

  • The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.

• Enthusiasm

  • The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.

• Initiative

  • Taking action in the absence of orders.

• Integrity

  • Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.

• Judgment

  • The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.

• Justice

  • Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

• Knowledge

  • Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your Marines.

• Tact

  • The ability to deal with others without creating offense.

• Unselfishness

  • Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

• Loyalty

  • The quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, the unit, to one's seniors, subordinates and peers.