After reading the article it made me stop and thin about those Lesson’s in Leadership from Bill Crawford:

1. Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bound their potential. Sadly, and for a long time, we labeled Bill as just a janitor, but he was so much more. Therefore, be cautious of a leader who callously says, “Hey, he’s just an Airman.” Likewise, don’t tolerate the O-1, who says, “I can’t do that, I’m just a lieutenant.”
   

2. Everyone Deserves Respect. Because we hung the “janitor” label on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly treated him with less respect than others around us. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor winner. Bill deserved respect because he was a janitor, walked among us, and was a part of our team.
   

3. Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of rank or position. Military customs, as well as common courtesies, help bond a team. When our daily words to Mr. Crawford turned from perfunctory “hellos” to heartfelt greetings, his demeanor and personality outwardly changed. It made a difference for all of us.
   

4. Take Time to Know Your People. Life in the military is hectic, but that’s no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. For years a hero walked among us at the Academy and we never knew it. Who are the heroes that walk in your midst?
   

5. Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. Crawford certainly didn’t fit anyone’s standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was just a private on the day he won his Medal. Don’t sell your people short, for any one of them may be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls. On the other hand, it’s easy to turn to your proven performers when the chips are down, but don’t ignore the rest of the team. Today’s rookie could and should be tomorrow’s superstar.
   

6. Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day heroes and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your “hero meter” on today’s athletic fields. End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we’ve come to expect from sports greats. Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same.
   

7. Life Won’t Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve. We in the military work hard and, dang it, we deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you just have to persevere, even when accolades don’t come your way. Perhaps you weren’t nominated for junior officer or airman of the quarter as you thought you should – don’t let that stop you.
   

8. Don’t pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living. No Job is Beneath a Leader. If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it.
   

9. Pursue Excellence. No matter what task life hands you, do it well. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be.” Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home.

I think the two most important lesson’s to take from this are number 1 be cautious of Labels and 3 courtesy makes a difference.  Too often do we as leaders forget that some of those younger Marines have thoughts and ideas that may work better than our own.  Also if you treat everyone with the courtesy and respect that they deserve as MEN they will better respond to you as a leader.  I don’t like it when the SgtMaj talks at me so I am sure other don’t like it when I talk at them.

I reccommend that you share this article with your Marines.  This would be a great essay to read and then have a guided discussion on leadership about.  Thus improving yourself as a leader and building the future of Marine Leaders.

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On Nov 1, 1921 General John A. Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, directed that a reminder of the Corps be published by every command, to all Marines throughout the globe, on the Birthday of the Corps.  Every year since the General Lejeune’s message from that year has been read.

“On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many thousands of men have borne that name Marine. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argome, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas so that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the Birth of the Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation and has long been the distinguishing mark of Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the me of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.”

So Happy Birthday Marines from THE JARHEAD as well as from General Conway.

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This is the only day of the year that most of us will wear the most recognizable uniform in the country.  Everyone knows a Marine in his blues.  So get into your closet and pull out the beloved dress blue uniform that you have hanging in there.  It is time to put that sucker on and make sure that it fits.  Make sure you took it to the cleaners after last years party.

Ensure that you have the correct rank insignia on your sleeves(especially if you got promoted) as well as the correct number of hashmarks (if you rate them ).  Make sure that you have all the medals, ribbons, and devices that you need to have.  Take the time or spend the money to get your medals mounted so that they look sharp.  If you are a newly promoted NCO or SNCO ensure that you went out and got your new waist plate.

Now for those NCO’s once you have all your stuff squared away go out and make sure your Marines are set up for success.  Make sure you do your inspections because you don’t want to be at the wrong end of an ass chewing by the 1stSgt or SgtMaj if your Marine is fucked up in his blues.

For all you married folk or those of you taking dates make sure you get your wife/GF set-up for success as well.  Make sure they know this is a formal event and they are expected to act accordingly.  Go out and get them a nice gown.  Let them know that they will probably want to go to the hairstylist and get their hair done and to make appointments.  Even though 6 weeks seems like a long time it will be here before you know it so start preparing now.

Last but not least go out and celebrate the Marines 233rd birhtday in the way that it was meant to be celebrated.  Get your drink on.  Have a good time.  Be responsible.  And most important buy your SSgt a beer he needs it from all the crap he has protected you from over the last year (Guinness preferably.)

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Junior Marines

The mentoring of Junior Marines is the most gratifying part of the job that I do.  I currently have 7 guys in my shop that are between the ages of 18 and 20 and while yes technically they are men most of them have not had the experience of a steady paycheck and the responsibilities of living on their own.  Some of these guys are married while others are single and living in the barracks.  My responsibilities to these guys are what really keeps me going.

I mentor these young men on everything in their lives not because I have to but because I truly do care.  Upon coming to the unit I do an initial counseling with them.  I explain to them what is expected of them both personally and professionally and to my pet peeves.  I try to give them sound advice that will not only help them in the Corps but also advice that if followed will make them productive members of society if and when they decide to separate from the Corps.  I feel that this is my duty to them and my commanders.

Camaraderie

Another thing that makes the Corps great are the bonds that are forged between myself and other Marines that I serve with.  I have friends that I served with over 5 years ago that I rarely see anymore as I am on the West Coast and they on the East, but we always make it a point to drop an email or call to each other every month or so.  Also when any of us is on the other coast for whatever reason there is an open couch or bed at the other’s house.  Also there will be a homecooked meal for the visitor as well.  I talk to some of the civilian friends that I have and rarely do I hear about a bond like that between them and their co-workers, because that is what they are is co-workers not brothers like us Marines.

These are the reasons for staying Marine.  This is what gets me up in the morning.  This is what makes me want to be the best that I can be.  I owe it to myself the Corps and to the people paying my check to continue to keep this gun club the strongest that it can be.

SEMPER FIDELIS

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What I do find completely and totally revolting is that a man that want to be the leader of the free world will blatantly disregard the LAWS that are prescribed by Congress as well as Executive Orders about the proper respects to be given to the Flag when the Star Spangled Banner is played or when the Flag passes by.  just read what those rules and regulations are: 

Title 4 of the United States Code

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

Title 36 United States Code                                                                                                    

§ 301. National Anthem

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

How can a man be My or Your Commander in Chief if he cannot obey the laws that govern not only us in the uniform but all persons in this country.  There are even provisions for aliens to stand at attention when the flag is raised or lowered.  Obama won’t even do that he stands there with his hands in clasped in front of him at the waist.

I know that many service members have come out in support of Obama in fact our own SgtMaj of the Marine Corps in fact endorses Obama.  I say this because both you and I both damn well know that SgtMaj would not let anyone on any Marine Corps installation get away with not showing the proper respect for his and our Colors.  If the fact that Obama can’t even respect the Flag that represents this great nation is not enough for you watch the below video for more reasons to not vote for Obama!  If the video is not present click here.

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The first story that I heard had to do with the fact that back in the day many Marines wore a high and tight flat-top thus giving shape and appearance of a Marine’s head looking like a jar.  Also many people felt that back in the day that Marines were not the brightest people in the military (still aren’t) and thus there heads were empty like a jar.

Another story that I recently stumbled upon says that the term Jarhead originated back in the day when the Corps was still using mules.  A common term for mules was Jughead.  Well the Marines referred to their mules as Jughead as well as Jarhead.  Over time stubborn hard-headed Marines were referred to as Jarhead just like those mules.

Regardless of where the term Jarhead came from I don’t really care here is what I think a Jarhead is.  A Jarhead is a Marine that loves being a Marine but isn’t all Gung-Ho, OOH-RAH, and what not.  He gets the job done no matter what and he is willing to sacrifice his time and energy for the betterment of the Corps. 

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Well I have an answer to this and it has to do with Marines such as myself and those other “higher-ups” from the Cpl all the way to the SgtMaj as well as officers.  So how have we as leaders made this once positive term negative?  Let me tell you how:

 I joined the Marine Corps in 1995 and it was not uncommon to hear “Hey F^&KER or D**KHEAD” or just about any other vulgar slang you could think of when you were getting in trouble.  Well soon after that the powers that be (Generals) said we need to be more polite to the troops and stop hazing etc etc.  Well how was that Cpl, SSgt, Gunny or SgtMaj to do if he couldn’t yell out profanities across the grinder or field or what not to get the Marine’s attention well we did what we felt was necessary and started yelling “HEY DEVIL DOG!!”

So now the young Marine hears the term Devil Dog and it sets off a pavlovian response of “oh great now I am going to get my butt chewed” and this is why Devil Dog has become such a negative term in the Marine Corps today to the fact that I often hear Marines say oh damn you got devil dogged or it is reffered to as the double D.  And that is the tale of the once proud DEVIL DOG

Semper Fi

The Jarhead

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