Once a Marine, always a Marine! As a Marine, you must hold yourself to the highest of all personal standards. Marines share common leadership qualities, and when demonstrated thoughtfully, help Marines earn the respect, confidence, and loyal cooperation of other Marines. Anyone can reach for the same leadership standard set by the USMC, so learn the goals and work to become a good leader and a good follower.

1. “We signed up knowing
the risk. Those innocent
people in New York didn't
go to work thinking there
was any kind of risk.”
Pvt. Mike ArmendarizClark

2. “Some people spend an entire lifetime
wondering if they made a difference in the
world. But, the Marines don't have that
problem.”
~Ronald Reagan

3. Leadership
traits which
help
Marines
earn
respect

4. JUSTICE
1
FAIR AND CONSISTENT—Be honest
with yourself about decisions. Avoid
favoritism. Treat all people, and things
equally.

5. JUDGMENT
2
GOOD JUDGMENT—Don’t make
rash decisions. Handle problems
with a common sense attitude.

6. DEPENDABILITY
3
RELIABLE—Be on time, avoid
making excuses, and handle every
task to the best of your ability.

7. INITIATIVE
4
TAKE INITIATIVE—Stay alert. Be
aware of things that need to be done
and then to do them without having to
be told.

8. DECISIVENESS
5
GOOD DECIONS WITHOUT DELAY—
Be positive in your actions. Act with
conviction avoid changing directions on
an issue.

9. TACT
6
MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS—Be
courteous and cheerful at all times.
Treat others as you would like to be
treated.

10. INTEGRITY
7
HONEST AND TRUTHFUL—Be honest
and truthful at all times. Have a
backbone, stand up for what you
believe is right.

11. ENTHUSIASM
8
INTERESTED AND EXUBERANT—
You are
enthusiastic, optimistic, cheerful, and
willing to accept the challenges.

12. BEARING
9
COMPETENT, CONFIDENT, AND INCONTROL—Reach for the top
standards of conduct. Just getting by is
unacceptable.

13. UNSELFISHNESS
10
CONSIDERATE—You give credit to
those who deserve it and avoid using
your authority for personal gain at the
expense of others.

14. COURAGE
11
REMAIN CALM WHILE FACING
FEAR—Practice self-discipline and
calmness. Force yourself to control your
reaction to fear.

15. KNOWLEDGE
12
KNOWLEDGEABLE—Remain alert.
Listen, observe, and find out about
things you don't get. Study, and stay
current!

16. LOYALTY
13
DEVOTED—Never discuss problems
with outsiders. Never talk about seniors
unfavorably in front of your
subordinates.

17. ENDURANCE
14
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STAMINA—
Engage in physical training and finish
every task to the best of your ability.

18. Created by Michael
Kaplan, based on
Marine Corps
Leadership Traits.