USMC Core Values

USMC Core Values
The Core values are the backbone of the Marine Corps – they are what sets the Marine Corps
apart from other services.
Implementing Instructions for the Marine Corps Values Program
“Honor…Courage…Commitment…Core Values instilled in every Marine. Instilling values is an
integral part of making Marines and, as a component of readiness, is essential to winning
battles. Core Values inculcation begins with the first contact a potential Marine has with a
recruiter, is driven home from the very first eyeball-to-eyeball experience with a Drill Instructor
at…Recruit Training, and continues throughout the course of a Marine’s career—be it 3 or 30
years. Semper Fidelis…the Marines pledge to be always faithful to these values and to God,
family, country, Corps. Our Core Values remain the very soul of our institution, underlying all
that is best in Marines, and must continue to frame the way we live and act as Marines.”
Honor
The quality that guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior; never to
lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; to
have respect and concern for each other. The quality of maturity, dedication, trust, and
dependability that commits Marines to act responsibly; to be accountable for actions; to fulfill
obligations; and to hold others accountable for their actions.
Courage
Courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines to carry them through
the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear; to do what is right; to adhere to a higher
standard of personal conduct; to lead by example, and to make tough decisions under stress and
pressure.
Commitment
The Spirit of determination and dedication within members of a unit that leads to professionalism
and mastery of the arts of war. It is the ingredient that enables 24-hour a day dedication to Corps
and Country; pride; concern for others; and an unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of
excellence in every endeavor. Commitment is the value that establishes the Marine as the warrior
and citizen others strive to emulate.
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Written Code of Ethics. The Marine Corps does not have a specific code of ethics written
succinctly into one document. Our written codes of “military ethics” exist in many forms and
documents. It is primarily a continuation of the unwritten practices accepted and advocated by
our society and supported by our legal system. In written form it exists in such documents as:
1) The Oath of Office
2) Commissioning Document
3) The Uniform Code of Military Justice
4) The Code of Conduct
5) The Code of Ethics for Government Employees
Unwritten Code of Ethics. There are many standards of conduct not found in any manual or
document. These are some of the time-honored traditions we learn as Marines. Ethical decision
making occurs every time a Marine is faced with a need to decide—now—what to do. It may be
a cut-and dry decision in garrison or it may be one on the battlefield far more ambiguous. At the
heart of a leader’s ability to choose correctly is a firm grounding in both institutional and
individual values that will point the correct direction, even when the Marine is tired or acting
under conditions of extreme stress.
“Special Trust and Confidence”.
a. A commission states the President of the United States has “special trust and confidence”
in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities of an officer.
b. Special trust and confidence is based on natural presumptions Marine officers will
practice integrity, good manners, sound judgment, and discretion; and that they will do so
with honor and courage.
c. Specifically, the President reposes this special trust and confidence in four things:
a. Patriotism. Love and loyalty to one’s country.
b. Valor. It is courage in battle. No person can truly know the depth of one’s
personal courage until it is tested.
c. Abilities. Talents and skills each one of us possess.
d. Fidelity. Faithful devotion to duty.
d. Officers are typically granted special privileges; however, with these privileges come
special responsibilities and obligations.
Noblesse Oblige.
a. “Noblesse oblige” literally means nobility obligates. This concept originated in the
eighteenth and nineteenth century as men of positions saw that by virtue of their position,
it was incumbent upon them to render appropriate public service.
b. As officers, noblesse oblige is a principle that applies to personal behavior.
c. Officers who violate the code of their profession must expect to be punished. The rank or
position is not a shield from justice. The price officers pay for “special trust and
confidence” is exacting and unremitting personal accountability.
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