Organizational Change

United States Marine Corps

10

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

Alphaeus A. Flood

United States Marine Corps

10

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

Alphaeus A. Flood

The United States Marine Corps is arguably the World’s Greatest Fighting Force and was started on November 10, 1775 in TunTavern, Philadelphia by Captain Samuel Nicholas. The Marine Corps is one of the smallest military branches with about 203,000 active duty members and about 40,000 reserve members. The Marine Corps traditions and culture play a large role in influencing its members and defining its core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment which influence everything a Marine does, on and off the battlefield.

As a Sergeant in the Marine Corps I am held responsible for upholding and passing the traditions and cultures of the Marines to my subordinates. I also play a vital role in the developing younger Marines through training and teaching, helping to prepare them to meet the objectives and mission of the service and its leadership. As additional responsibility I have as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps is serving as a squad leader within an infantry company during times of war. In this position, I am second in command under what is known as a Platoon Commander. Not only am I responsible for my junior Marines but I’m also responsible for myself. It is important for me to always do the right things at all times, even though no one is looking. I first have to set the example and make sure everything I am doing in in Marine Corps standards.

In 2003, former President George W. Bush decided to invade Iraq, and the United States Marines Corps was one of the first military branches deployed to help in this effort. During the invasion many military personnel lost their lives, and still many today are losing their lives. In an effort to reduce on the amount of lives lost due to the war, General James T. Conway, currently serving as the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps developed the...