Educational Resources

When pianists learn a challenging piece of music, they often will learn the music for each hand separately and then, when the left and right…

Upon hearing the Marine leadership principle of making sound and timely decisions, one might reasonably respond, “Right, but how?” We get a sense of how…

When someone is sworn into a branch of the armed services, he takes an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States…

Some people are capable of self-reflection, others are not. One indicator that someone is able to examine himself is that when a mistake is made,…

We have arrived at the eleventh and final principle of Marine Corps Leadership: seek responsibilities and take responsibility. The idea of responsibility asserted in this…

            A year ago, we began publishing each month in “Front and Center” a discussion of one principle of Marine Corps leadership and one trait…

In September, we published “On Honor, Courage, and Commitment” as the first essay for the Al Gray Marine Leadership Forum at Carolina Museum of the…

In September, we published “On Honor, Courage, and Commitment.” The piece was written in two parts: the first describes the natures of honor, courage, and…

United States Marines are distinguished for many achievements, and we may reasonably say that their accomplishments follow in a direct line from the kinds of…

Leadership is intangible, hard to measure, & difficult to describe. Its quality would seem to stem from many factors. But certainly they must include a measure of inherent ability to control & direct, self-confidence based on expert knowledge, initiative, loyalty, pride, & sense of responsibility. Inherent ability cannot be instilled, but that which is latent or dormant can be developed. Other ingredients can be acquired. They are not easily learned. But leaders can be & are made.

Since Fleet Marine Force Manual 1, Warfighting, was first published in 1989, it has had a significant impact both inside and outside the Marine Corps. That manual has changed the way Marines think about warfare. It has caused energetic debate and has been translated into several foreign languages, issued by foreign militaries, and published commercially. It has strongly influenced the development of doctrine by our sister Services.

Grayisms and other thoughts on leadership from General Al Gray, USMC (Retired), 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Compiled by PAUL OTTE “I don’t run…