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The special trust and confidence, placed in you by your commission, is a privilege that must be earned and maintained. We build special trust and confidence with our seniors, subordinates, our civilian leadership, and the American people by fulfilling the
responsibilities established in our commission and by developing our character, a high degree of warfighting competence, and the skill to lead organizations. This document serves as a framework to focus your learning at TBS and to start thinking and acting like Marine officers.
1. Officership ... Embrace the expectations of our commission and our obligation to the American people and the Marines we serve.
When you accepted your commission, you willingly accepted the burdens and benefits of life as a public official committed to the defense of the values expressed in the Constitution of the United States. The web of trust that exists between the Marine Corps, the American people, and our Government, that is essential to our existence, shall never be taken for granted. I expect every officer to demonstrate high standards of character and competence and to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects basic principles of integrity, justice, and fairness.
2. Develop your Character through a commitment to personal excellence.
Your character is the consequence of your habits. It is through the development of virtuous habits that we develop as men and women of character. Our Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment provide the guiding principles for all members to grow personally and professionally. At The Basic School, we use our Corps Values to focus the development of virtues to guide our behavior. Through the pursuit of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice I believe you will develop the habits of thought and action to lead Marines in a manner that is consistent with our oath, commission, or warrant.
3. Develop the Warfighting Competence that directly contributes to your ability to lead Marines and Sailors.
The application of lethal force must be governed by a competent officer corps. The development of professional knowledge, that distinguishes officers, begins at TBS and continues throughout your career. Because the character of warfare is constantly evolving, you must embrace a life-long learning approach to developing and maintaining your warfighting competencies.
4. Develop the Organizational Leadership Competencies to lead a formation of Marines and Sailors.
As an officer, you are directly responsible for training and employing a unit. That requires you to develop the
ability to establish the unit's priorities and direction, to develop a command climate that allows Marines and Sailors to maximize their potential, and through smart and effective training develop the unit's confidence to perform its primary function against a thinking enemy in the most demanding operating environments.
Endstate: Officers graduate from TBS with the confidence and competence to be provisional rifle platoon commanders and have developed the foundations to be Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Officers in the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). TBS graduates are: Officers of exemplary character; devoted to leading Marines 24/7; able to decide, communicate, and act in the fog of war; they embrace the Corps' warrior ethos; and they are mentally strong and physically fit.
R. G. MCCARTHY III
Commanding Officer
The Basic School
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