Repost from a blog I found, Not from a Marine but still some good Knowledge:
No. 1. Yelling doesn’t make you skinny. PT does.
If you’re not out there saluting the flag every morning at 6:30, you can automatically assume your Soldiers are not. Soldiers don’t care if you’re in first place. They just want to see you out there. This is a team sport.
PT might not be the most important thing you do that day, but it is the most important thing you do every day in the United States Army. The bottom line is, wars are won between 6:30 and 9.
No. 2. Think about what you’re going to say before you say it.
I’ve never regretted taking the distinct opportunity to keep my mouth shut.
You’re the sergeant major. People are going to listen to you.
By all means, if you have something important or something informative to add to the discussion, then say it. But don’t just talk so people can hear you. For goodness sake, you’re embarrassing the rest of us. Sit down and listen. Sometimes you might just learn something.
No. 3. If you find yourself having to remind everyone all of the time that you’re the sergeant major and you’re in charge, you’re probably not.
That one’s pretty self-explanatory.
No. 4. You have to work very hard at being more informed and less emotional.
Sergeants major, I’ll put it in simple terms: Nobody likes a dumb loudmouth. They don’t.
Take the time to do the research. Learn how to be brief. Listen to people, and give everyone the time of day. Everyone makes mistakes, even sergeants major, and you will make less of them if you have time to be more informed.
No. 5. If you can’t have fun every day, then you need to go home.
You are the morale officer. You don’t have to be everyone’s friend, but you do have to be positive all the time. The sergeant major is the one everyone looks to when it’s cold, when it’s hot, when it’s raining, or things are just going south. Your job is to keep the unit together. That’s why you’re there. The first place they will look when things go bad is you, and they will watch your reaction.
No. 6. Don’t be the feared leader. It doesn’t work.
If Soldiers run the other way when you show up, that’s absolutely not cool.
Most leaders who yell all the time, they’re in fact hiding behind their inability to effectively lead.
Soldiers and leaders should be seeking you, looking for your guidance, asking you to be their mentors on their Army career track, not posting jokes about you on the ‘Dufflebag blog’. That’s not cool. Funny, but it’s not cool.
No. 7. Don’t do anything — and I mean anything — negative over email.
You have to call them. Go see them in person. Email’s just a tool. It’s not a substitute for leadership. It’s also permanent.
You’ve all heard it. Once you hit ‘send,’ it’s official, and you can never bring it back. Automatically assume that whatever you write on email will be on the cover of the Army Times and all over Facebook by the end of the week. Trust me, I know this personally.
No. 8. It’s OK to be nervous. All of us are.
This happens to be my favorite. It came from my mother. My mom always used to tell me that if you’re not nervous on the first day of school, then you’re either not telling the truth, you either don’t care, or you’re just plain stupid. [Being nervous] makes you try harder. That’s what makes you care more.
Once that feeling is gone, once you feel like you have everything figured out, it’s time to go home, because the care stops.
Don’t do this alone. You need a battle buddy. You need someone you can call, a mentor you can confide in. Don’t make the same mistakes someone else has made. Those are the dumb mistakes. Don’t do this alone.
No. 9. If your own justification for being an expert in everything you do is your 28 years of military experience, then it’s time to fill out your 4187 [form requesting personnel action] and end your military experience.
Not everything gets better with age, sergeants major. You have to work at it every day. Remember, you are the walking textbook. You are the information portal. Take the time to keep yourself relevant.
No. 10. Never forget that you’re just a Soldier.
That’s all you are. No better than any other, but just one of them.
You may get paid a little more, but when the time comes, your job is to treat them all fair, take care of them as if they were your own children, and expect no more from them of that of which you expect from yourself.
Good post from the Command Sergeant Major of the Army. I really think going back to the Army Pinks & Greens was the smartest thing the Army has done in years. My father wore them during and after WWII. Yet, I’m always amazed by how young these guys, even Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, look. I really don’t feel that old!! Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
I don’t mean to be disrespectful to the SMA. However, his comment #10 Your “JUST a SOLDIER” !
As we know there is NO such thing as>>> “JUST a MARINE”<<>>”JUST a MARINE”<<>>” US MARINE”<<>>that was the worst day of my young life !! However, because I was more than >>>”JUST a MARINE”<<>>”JUST MARINES”<<<!
We were more than "JUST Marines, because back in my day it wasn't a career, it was a way of life" !
Semper Fi
Ed "Machete Eddie" McCourt
GySgt, CWO-3, Capt USMC (ret)
0311, 0321, 0326, 0369, 8654, 0302 , 5803
Is this the same Ed McCourt that went through boot camp twice and earned the Silver Star in Vietnam?
This is not the original SGT. GRIT. New owners are not Marines, ( just making money selling our merchandise, now they’re telling Army stories. who gives a rats ass!
Sgt. GRIT is no longer owned by a MARINE?!!!!! I met Grit when they were in OKC and knew they was moving. But, your right, I DONT WANT TO HEAR ANY ARMY STORIES, THAT’S FOR THE ARMY!
SgtMajor: This is nothing short of outstanding. I served in the Marine Corps from 1969 – 1975. Afterwards, I spent 25 years in law enforcement. Over the past 19 years, I’ve been a college a professor. One of the courses I’ve taught is called Leadership in Law Enforcement Organizations. If I ever teach this course again, I’m going to reference your comments in one of my lectures.
And unlike the previous comments, I enjoy and take interest in good quality stories wherever they come from.
I went to Marine Corps bootcamp in 1971. At one point, I remember distinctly being told, “If you want to fight like Audie Murphy fought, you better train like Audie Murphy trained.”
Pretty high praise from a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant.
Tom CPL USMC CDR USNR
I am an old man now 70, i never ever post on any websites but i cannot be silent in regard to what i just read from fellow grunts. In the old days if a man wanted to be taken serious on speaking his mind on a subject then he would state his experience in regard to said subject so here goes. I joined corp in 68 when most were running to canada or to their Dr. for bone spurs, i volunteered for vietnam nam and volunteered to walk point 9 months got two purple hearts , i owe my life to navy corpsman , air force for close air support, and ARMY Dr. and Nurses. Knock off the the squad bay banter, and as far as this company is concerned they are good and decent people who supply us with products that few other buisinesses care to be involved with , for the coming battles we will have to fight we need all armed service vets and all american business patriotic support we can muster, so get squared away,over and out.
Allen Fuller, well said. Sgt. USMC ’69-’73
Oorah, and well said, Allen. If you think you’re an old man at 70, just wait till you hit 75. LMAO Aging isn’t for sissies!! Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
The SgtMaj’s commentary is well stated and spot on. I was unaware this was a playground for negative, frat boy, interservice BS that has nothing to do with the commentary.
Gunny, USMC 79-2000.
I don’t want to run any of the other services down but I’ll share this. Always wanted to be a Marine. Joined in Oct. 65 discharged in 71. 1st week of boot camp after MOS testing was told I qualified for what was then “Sea School”. Told I would have to change my enlistment as Sea School required 8 years of your life. After getting my rump kicked,slapped and punched for a week I said no way. I was after ITR etc assigned to Anti-Tank Assault School. Graduated. On graduation day was reassigned to Army’s M.P. school then at Ft Gordon Ga. Then became an MP. Mustered out as a Sgt. Years later someone I met and discussed service with asked about my rank. When I said E-5 he said you guys never get promoted to the Army level. I told him all the rank in our Corps went to Nam. I wasn’t bothered by that because those guys earned it. Several years ago my wife and I made a trip to Charleston S.C. There is a WW2 air carrier there now a museum. We went aboard for a tour. Two retired Navy guys greeted us and saw some Marine Cowboy boots I had made and started to give me a hard time. They told me that the old story of the Corps going in first wasn’t true. They said they were Navy Frogmen during WW2 and went onto the beaches at night before an invasion the next day by Marines.
I told them we liked the Navy because they always took us where we wanted go. Next I said I guess they did go first but there was one problem. They said what was that? I replied “You left before the shooting started”. I’ll add two things to what the Sgt.Maj said, I didn’t hear him say “The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war! Next, during Korea a Marine 1st lt. after the heat of a battle (Chosin Res.?) requested to see Col. Lewis Puller along with a Sgt. The Lt said he wanted to have the SGT awarded a battle field commission. Col. Puller asked him why. His response was” Sir, he’s better that a Sgt.” Col Puller responded “There is nothing better than a Sgt”. End of the meeting! E. Gray. 65to71
Yes – My (3-war USAAF/ USAF Veteran) Father wore “pinks & greens” IN WW2, (also) BUT then again he was an OFFICER (not enlisted !) the latest army attempt at a uniform is actually more foolish than the 1880’s plains cavalry uniform (with goofy beret), that preceded it – looks Ridiculous, ESPECIALLY with the enlisted insignia; (did the designers realize that EM/ NCO’s (WW2-KW) wore simple “od” wool ?) Maybe the Army is trying to hearken back/ remind itself of America’s LAST winning war (World War II 1941-1945) – which few “leaders’ can now remember (NONE on active duty for a L-O-N-G Time !); As far as leadership the Army E-9, should check-six, AND just ask a U.S. MARINE (sorry – he’s just a politician)
(another uniform blunder: the navy’s blueberry camo mess, & the black pants/ khaki shirt combo that always reminds me of Germany’s early “SS” outfits – DOES ANYONE WHO DESIGNS THESE UNIFORMS, DO ANY RESEARCH, OR HAVE ANY SENSE ?
I AM NO LEADER, but now (at 60) did do 2 things I’m still proud of:
– Caring for 2 aging parents (after 2 ‘non-hacker’ sisters would not bother) (My Air Combat Dad, who died last summer due to china’s virus, NOT of the hero’s death he so deserved)
– AND being a Marine (when they were still “pounding-recruits” & not being afraid of yelling at us !)
(I would never serve now – esp in the H*LL we are ALL about to go thru in Beedens’ “UNITE ! the America-of-the Future” – all 3-months of it, before he retires to a nursing home, & the woman ‘takes charge’ of ALL of us !) – WE ALL KNOW Freedom isn’t Free, but once lost IS NOT EASILY REGAINED ! (A)
R/
C.G. Reus
Cpl USMC
(1983-1987)
Reus – You’ve got to be kidding!! If you are concerned about losing your freedom think about what you would get under a second Trump administration. That draft dodger has done more to embarrass the United States than anyone else who’s sat in that chair. How do you know Trump is lying? Check to see if his lips are moving. He has no concern for anyone else other than himself. If you think he cares for anyone else besides himself you need to see a Doc.- a shrink preferably.
Michael McManus
Sgt. USMC
1964-1969
Well said, Michael. Curt, I’m sorry that you you’re so bitter about they way life has treated you, but if you really think about it, you control a lot of that. Consider this poem:
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952
Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
GySgtR. 1967-1992
Vietnam. 2d Bn 26th Marines
SgtMaj. Sorry for the comments from some. It is always good to hear from the other side of the house. In my time in service I had the pleasure to attend four of your top schools. And the Navy. All information is knowledge. Which is strength and at this time we need it.
“HOW FAR, ALL THE WAY AND THEN SOME”
SEMPERFI