From: Commanding Officer, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
To: Marines and Sailors of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Subj: COMMAND PHILOSOPHY
1. The purpose of this letter is to ensure that we move forward together with a common understanding of what every Marine and Sailor in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion can expect from the Battalion’s leadership, and what I expect from each of you. Refer back to it as you execute your duties as Recon Marines and Sailors. Have no doubt, I will be ruthlessly predictable in my expectations for this Battalion. I will measure the Battalion, you, and myself on how well we live and execute this philosophy. Ultimately, the enemy, not an inspection team, will grade us on our capability as warriors.
2. We are a Nation at war, fighting a ruthless enemy determined to destroy everything for which our great Nation stands. Combat, whether in Iraq, or on other foreign shores, remains our reason for being. The habits we build in training and everyday operations – good or bad – will be ascendant under the rigors of combat. Everything we do will have the endstate of producing the most capable and combat ready warriors in the Corps. The following summarizes my thoughts regarding the professional and personal performance of our battalion as we prepare for combat:
“Man’s fate in battle is worked out before war begins. For his acts in war are dictated not by courage, nor by fear, but by conscience, of which war is the final test. The man whose quick conscience is the secret of his success in battle has the same clear cut feelings about right and wrong before war makes them obvious to all.
Use the above as your anchor, whether you are training, going on liberty, or preparing for combat operations – if you know a man in peace, you know him in war. To that end, keep in mind the following two overarching principles:
# 1 : HAVE A COMBAT MINDSET
- Mission first – our job is to fight and win. Dominate the enemy in every encounter.
- You are part of the profession of arms – know your job, your people, and yourself.
- Be brilliant at the basics – the basics will become habit – habit breeds smart, tough, combat ready warriors.
- Lead from the front - and by example. Be aggressive! There is no place for passive leaders in this battalion.
- Be physically tough – remain fit and ready to defeat our enemies no matter where the fight takes us.
- Always remember 5-3-5: Habits of Action, Flat Ass Rules, and Habits of Thought.
- Embrace the history of your battalion – honor those who have gone before you with your actions.
- You are always accountable for your actions – or lack of action.
- Be a quiet professional – never mistake enthusiasm for capability.
# 2 : LIVE ABOVE THE COMMON LEVEL OF LIFE
- We are a team – capitalize on our strengths and minimize weaknesses.
- Take care of each other - save your buddy from doing something he will later regret.
- Be a defender of the defenseless – America expects greatness from her Corps of Marines.
- Leadership is not a popularity contest – lead positively, and support those in command.
- Be tolerant of honest mistakes, but intolerant of incompetence and apathy.
- You are not a bad leader for enforcing standards – weak leaders will kill their Marines with kindness.
- Your integrity is precious – never allow it to be compromised. It gives us freedom of action on the battlefield. As the eyes and ears of 1st Marine Division, lives depend on the accuracy of your reporting.
- “Non sibi, sed patriae” – Not for self, but country.
4. I am extremely confident you will execute my intent and uphold the high standards of the Corps and the Reconnaissance community - not out of blind obedience, but because you are professionals, simply fulfilling your duty as Marines and Sailors dedicated to the defense of our great Nation during this time of war. Remember always, the title of Recon Marine and Sailor is our honor.