Over Coming Fear

To inform my audience of the five characteristics that enable Marines to overcome fear. Central There is five characteristics of the Marine Corps that help Marines overcome fears.

Introduction

Many Marines do not like to admit when they are scared. Some don’t ever show emotion. But everyone gets scared at some point in their life. It could be something as simple as getting a passing grade on a test or assignment.

It could be as extreme as being part of an elite squad of ground-pounding Marines who are getting ready to kick indoors or go in to rescue a sniper squad that has been pinned down by the enemy fire. How do you think you would feel? Scared? Maybe a little intimidated? Heart racing maybe? Today I am going to inform you about the Marine Corps Principles for overcoming fear. I will describe and identify for you, the five characteristics that enable Marines to overcome fear every day. Those virtues are discipline, motivation, Esprit de Corps, morale, and proficiency.

Discipline over the years has acquired at least three different meanings: punishment, obedience, and self-control. 1 Have you ever been in a situation that you knew you were doing something wrong, but you decided to do it anyway? Did you ever hear that little voice in the back of your head asking you “What if you get caught? What will this do for your future if you do get caught? ” Military discipline is no different than that of any major sport, or at a university academically. If you do something that disrupts the good order of the system, there will be repercussions.

There are several forms of punishment in the U. S. Marine Corps, ranging from informal counseling to being dishonorably discharged for your actions. Obedience among military personnel is a result of the training that they have received throughout their careers. You do not want to become blindly obedient and closed-minded in the Marine Corps. Doing such may result in the carrying out of improper or illegal orders.  True obedience implies exercising discipline as an active thinking participant and using proper judgment to determine if a situation is justified.

Self-control is doing what is right even when no one is watching. You need to be able to control your emotions in situations that may cause a normal individual to panic. Fear is the enemy of discipline. Using self-control will allow you to harness your fear and channel that emotion towards accomplishing the mission at hand. Transition: Along with discipline, proficiency as a Marine is required for any member of the Marine Corps to accomplish their specific tasks. Proficiency is defined as the technical, tactical and physical ability of the individuals in a unit to accomplish a given mission. Being proficient in your MOS is knowing what to do; how to do it the right way; and knowing how to solve a situation should a problem arise. Being proficient as a Marine involves showing that you can accomplish the basic operating procedures required. Transition: Being proficient in your job as a Marine rifleman as well as your MOS, can give you the motivation to go above and beyond what is expected of you. Motivation can be described as wanting to set and achieve the highest goals possible.

Wanting to get a perfect score on a PFT is an example of wanting to uphold the high standards set by the Marine Corps. Using fear as motivation to accomplish your task is a perfect example of self-control. Transition: “They are faced with impossible odds, and I have no valid reason to substantiate it, but I have a feeling they will halt the enemy. I realize my expression of hope is unsound, but these Marines have the swagger, confidence, and hardness that must have been in Stonewall Jackson’s Army of the Shenandoah.  Esprit de Corps is present when units show a degree of pride, vigor, and gumption. Have a strong competitive spirit with other Marines. Training with other Marines to better one another, shows competitiveness, cohesion, and helps you become more proficient as a Marine; enabling you to overcome your fear of any task or situation.

Show pride in the history of the Corps and observe its many traditions. Taking a walk through the National Museum of the Marine Corps and immersing yourself in our history and learning about those that came before you can strengthen the esprit de corps within yourself. Observation of traditions such as the Marine Corps birthday shows your recognition of the important role Marines have played in forming the United States of America into the country it is today. Transition: While esprit de corps shows the enthusiasm the unit expresses for the Marine Corps, morale depends on a Marines attitude towards everything that affects them. Morale is an individual’s state of mind.

High morale gives the Marine a feeling of confidence and well-being that enables them to face hardship with courage, endurance, and determination. 6 Indicators of morale can be either positive or negative Personal appearance and hygiene. Motivation during training. A request for transfer. The usage and abuse of drugs and alcohol. 7 Summary: By demonstrating these five aspects which are; discipline, motivation, esprit de corps, morale, and proficiency, you are showing yourself and others how to overcome the obstacle of fear.

As a Marine, you need to be able to lead others while being able to control your fear. By channeling your emotions, you will find it easier to accomplish the mission at hand. Fear is not an option; it is a crutch the weak use to lean upon. We as Marines are not weak.

References

1. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. Apendix E page 15-45 Foundations of leadership. paragraph one.
2. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. Apendix E page 15-45 Foundations of leadership. paragraph two
3. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. Apendix E page 15-46 Foundations of leadership. paragraph one
4. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. this kind of war, t. r. Fehrenback page 12-37
5. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. page 21-36 paragraph two
6. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. page 15-8 subparagraph A
7. MCRP 6-11b W_CH 1 Marine Corps Values A User’s Guide for discussion leaders. page 15-8 paragraph 2