10 NOVEMBER 2020
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
If there were a watchword for 2020, the shortlist would certainly
include ‘change,’ ‘uncertainty,’ and ‘adaptation.’ This new dynamic and
uncertain environment has impacted how we recruit and train Marines,
deploy aboard ship, and even how we honor our Corps’ hallowed
traditions. But adapting to change and uncertainty is nothing new for
Marines. It is what we have done for 245 years and what is expected of
us as the Nation’s force-in- readiness. Where others see challenges,
Marines see opportunities. We don’t take a knee. We will always be ready
to answer the nation’s call, no matter the crisis.
In
a world of seemingly relentless change and uncertainty, some things
remain constant–our core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These
values are at the very heart of our ability to be, “most ready when the
Nation is least ready.” It’s honor that gives us an uncompromising sense
of personal integrity and accountability; courage that allows us to
face any circumstance with an ironclad resolve to do what’s right; and
commitment that binds us together as a family and drives us toward
excellence. And while our
core values might never change, the way we give life to them requires
constant vigilance. This year’s national conversations about race remind
us that we must all do better to embody our service’s values.
Commemorating
the 245th birthday of our Corps offers us a chance to reflect on our
history. We who serve today stand upon the shoulders of giants. While
this year’s many challenges are significant and unique, they are not
unprecedented, and it is important to remember that our Nation and Corps
have endured difficult times in our past. This year, for example, marks
the 75th anniversary of brutal battles in the Pacific; when soldiers of
the sea defined the term “uncommon valor” on the black sands of Iwo
Jima; the 70th anniversary of bitter fighting at Inchon and Chosin
Reservoir; 55 years since Marines landed at Da Nang; and a decade since
our struggle with the Taliban in the Helmand River Valley. We remember
the service and sacrifice of all Marines, and honor the legacy passed
down through generations. Our continuing obligation is to honor their
legacy by making meaningful contributions to what they started.
From
the past, we draw strength, pride, and a responsibility to carry on the
warfighting heritage our predecessors built. We must also recognize our
tradition of continuous adaptation–one that should inspire our current
force modernization and innovation efforts. As has been the case in the
past, today’s threats require us to fight as a cohesive team, and our
ability to succeed will depend on the Honor, Courage, and Commitment of
each individual Marine. From recruiting individuals of great
intelligence, strength, spirit, and diversity, to evolving how we train,
educate, and mentor Marines throughout their careers, we remain
dedicated to developing the world’s finest warfighters, guided by our
core values.
In
a year of significant change and uncertainty, I am reminded of the
words of American novelist, John Dos Passos, “In times of change and
danger when there is a quicksand of fear under men’s reasoning, a sense
of continuity with generations gone before can stretch like a lifeline
across the scary present…” Never forget, what you do today becomes the
foundation for the generations of Marines that will follow. There is no
challenge we cannot overcome, together, by holding fast to our core
values. Happy 245th Birthday Marines.
Semper Fidelis,
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