The United States Marine Corps is considered to be the toughest and meanest branch within the military’s structure. This is partly due to the long, prestigious reputation that they have continued to establish since their birth 10 November 1775. The Marine Corps is fueled and powered by its Marine Corps values which are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. According to the Marine Corps honor is defined as a code of personal integrity, honor guides those who do the right thing when no one is looking. It is not only a duty, but also a distinction, as those who possess honor are held in honor; courage is the guardian of all other values. It is there when times are toughest, when difficult decisions have to be made. It takes the form of mental, physical and ethical strength, and is found in the backbone of every Marine; and commitment is the spirit of determination found in every Marine. It is what compels Marines to serve our nation and the Corps, and to continue on when others quit. It measures and proves one’s desire, dedication and faithfulness (United States Marine Corps, 2012).
Behind the Marine Corps values, each Marine or leader is expected to exhibit all the leadership traits which are: Judgment, Justice, Dependability, Integrity, Decisiveness, Tact, Initiative, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, and Endurance. Without good leadership traits, leader’s abilities would be flawed. How is this related to the three skill approach? Well, first you would need to know the focus of the approach itself. The skills approach shifts thinking from the focus on personality characteristics (traits) to an emphasis on skills and abilities that can be learned and developed. Under this approach leadership is also defined as the ability to use one’s knowledge and competencies to accomplish a set of goals or objectives. (Northouse, 2013). According to the text, a summary of the 3 skills approach is that it includes technical, human, and conceptual skill (p. 44-46).
Technical skill is knowledge about and proficiency in a specific type of work activity; human skill is knowledge abut and ability to work with people; and conceptual skill is the ability to work with ideas (Northouse, 2013).Looking at the definition listed, is this not the schematic of war and service? Marines are designated a specific Marine Occupational Specialty (MOS) based off their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores. Within this test, each individual are asked several questions in 3 categories for line scores: Electronics Repair, Missile Repair, Electronics & Communications (EL), General Maintenance, Construction, Utility and Chemical Maintenance (MM), and General Technical, Special and Officer Programs (GT). Based off the current knowledge you possess, your line scores determine the job that you will have and your technical capabilities within the military.
Knowledge, technical, and conceptual skill aren’t just visible in the initial process but will be visible through your career despite your MOS. Marines are taught to lead with confidence, knowledge, and humility. This requires that one know about the past and present accomplishments of the branch. If one does not know what past failures were, how can they be bettered in the future? Obtaining and having the knowledge to lead is not enough, one must know how to develop ideas of war and technically, tactfully, and proficiently implore them.
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
United States Marine Corps. (2012). Retrieved from USMC website: http://www.marines.com/history-heritage/principles-values