Marine Corps
Leadership Principles and Traits
Marine Corps Leadership 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.
Marine Corps Leadership 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.
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• 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.
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