SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS MEMORANDUM SMMC Core Values Mem [worse than bad: the enemy is us; it's not your father's military. See comment]

US Marine corps ^ | February 22 2021 | SMMC Troy E. Black

[daniel1212]

[Excerpts]

4. ..some [recruits] arrive with mindsets and biases that are wholly inconsistent with our way of thinking. We must speak plainly and forcefully with our recruits and candidates from day one, and tell them that..sexists, bigots, homophobes...are not welcome. It is impossible to be both a good Marine, and be any one of those things at the same time...

5. Introducing an individual to our core values and explaining how they work in practice during entry level training is important. In fact, it is critical if we are to establish uniform expectations for every Marine. However, it is also insufficient. The battle to change a person’s mindset takes time and consistent effort.

An individual enters the Marine Corps with at least 17 years of life experience and potential biases that establish a foundation for that individual’s mindset about race and ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, and the use of coercive power over subordinates. Thirteen weeks of recruit training has an impact on changing and overcoming potential flaws with these mindsets, but we need more effort to sustain the transformation...

6. Stand downs featuring lectures and presentations about our values and what is expected of every Marine have their place, but their impact on a person’s mindset is limited. More important is the role of enlisted leaders in setting the example, indicating by their words and deeds that they adhere to a positive vision of what it means to be a Marine who values the service of every individual.

7. I expect leaders who see any sexism, racism, or other destructive attitudes in the ranks to step in immediately and intervene, just like you would to stop an impending safety mishap.

In those instances when leaders see indicators of these “sub-cultures” they should address the problem head-on by engaging directly with individuals and small groups, reinforcing the teacher-scholar/senior-subordinate relationship advocated by our 13th Commandant, Major General Lejeune. I believe that through discussion, teaching, and mentorship, leaders can help replace destructive attitudes with a more positive vision encapsulated in the Marine Corps’ core values and tradition, more in line with a true culture of recognizing the intrinsic value found in every Marine. Those Marines unwilling to accept our core values should be separated.

8. Our Hallmarks as Marines are discipline and spirit. We have been known for our willingness to hold leaders accountable for the malign actions of the individual. It is time for us to embrace this mentality once again; and hold ourselves accountable for failing to identify and hold responsible those to our left or right that are failing to adhere to our core values....

If you are the senior enlisted leader of a unit and the “sub- cultures” of...sexism, extremism, or hazing exists within that unit, then I am looking to you to create the appropriate climate and to communicate your rejection of these attitudes and behaviors which are clearly incompatible with our core values.

10. I expect enlisted leaders and Marines at all levels to support one another as we collectively combat racism, sexism, extremism, and hazing. Enough is enough, help each other exercise the moral courage to look for signs of these negative behaviors and to intervene when necessary. We must eliminate the “sub-cultures” that give these behaviors life....

Mission First, Marines Always! Semper Fidelis

TROY E. BLACK [since July 26, 2019] 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corp

[MSF BU]

I am looking at the frog in the picture.

[daniel1212]

"Somewhere, Chesty and Dan are looking at each other wondering what the hell they did all that fighting for..."

Thanks but as I stated, "for the record, I myself (born 1952) was never in the military (number in draft lottery was too high, and too immature to enlist) but esteem and honor them who served, and solicit their comments here." And they should wonder what happened to the Marines they did all that fighting for!

[daniel1212]

"the Old Corps wanted to exploit the recruit’s patriotism by reinforcing the perceived goodness of the Nation. They did that through fidelity to TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES. The New Corps wants to suppress that patriotism by undermining traditionally American values. This will end poorly. It makes me sick what they’re doing to an Institution I spent most of my adult life working for."

Thank you for your service, and warranted rebuke.

[daniel1212]

"The list is rather flat and doesn't explicitly include anything about transgender kooks or homosexuals or 'antigovernment' opinions. I would take that as resistance at this point."

What part of targeting so-called homophobes" and an "individual’s mindset about... gender and sexual identity" did you miss? When the military pays for transgender surgery then it should be understood that you are not to object.

[daniel1212]

"If you hold conservative Christian values concerning sex and marriage, you are not welcome. This will most definitely hurt recruiting in the traditionally strong recruiting areas of the Midwest and the South. The country’s decline continues."

To China's and Putin's pleasure.

[pierrem15]

You are right. I based my comments on the excerpts. When you read the original, it's even worse than I would have thought.

The only honorable thing for the Commandant of Marines to have done is to have resigned or refused to try to coerce his Marines with this repulsive, unconstitutional rubbish.

[fr_freak]

The US military is a social institution, that reflects current American society.

No, it isn't. Never has been. It is an institution with a specific purpose. I already gave you examples of categories of people in American society that are not accepted by the military because they would interfere with its mission.

The problem is that the progressive communists are trying to make it into a social institution to serve their alternate reality.

[daniel1212]

" I haven't seen the case made that 'pro-American' means tolerating bias and prejudice. Used to be race and gender, they're just expanding the scope of potential sticking points. There's all kinds of Americans, after all. They're all volunteers, that's 'pro-American' enough for me - and who says they aren't 'conditioning' troop to be pro-American? "

Did you read what the sarge said? You do understand what the terms "sexist" and "homophobes" mean don't you? If you think making no distinction btwn male and female and certain functions each are suited for and joining men with men and turning men into women (at taxpayer expense) is pro-American and opposing such is not, then you are implicitly supporting a foreign power. At least most of the other posters perceive what is going on.

[daniel1212]

"You are right. I based my comments on the excerpts. When you read the original, it's even worse than I would have thought. The only honorable thing for the Commandant of Marines to have done is to have resigned or refused to try to coerce his Marines with this repulsive, unconstitutional rubbish. "

But this sarge was appointed, and is part of the new "woke" military which is militant against patriots of traditional values, not of racism, but even to male and females being made by God distinctively different yet uniquely compatible and complementary, and who only joined them together in marriage - as the Lord Jesus Himself specified (Mt. 19:4–6) - and only condemned homosexual relations wherever they are manifestly dealt with.

Yet there is still room at the cross for all who will come to God in repentance and faith, and trust in the Divine Son of God sent by the Father, the risen Lord Jesus, to save them on His account, by His sinless shed blood, and thus be baptized and live for Him. (Acts 10:36-47) Thanks be to God.

[daniel1212]

"Your [added comments] inject your opinion of what the SGM states. That is not helpful to a person reading it for context. Not saying I disagree with your interjection/interpretation, but thinking folks can decide for themselves what the intent is."

I am hardly reading a foreign meaning into what the SGM states, as anyone familiar with what the use of such such terms as "bigots, sexist and homophobes" includes would or should recognize the sarge is writing in the interest of conforming recruits to liberal ethos. And while thinking folks can decide for themselves what the intent is, yet if you read all the comments you can see that while most perceive this liberal agenda at work here, yet a few basically fail to see this even with my my added added comments (if they even read them). And in fact, it is a common practice among many posters here to only include 2 or 3 sentences from a source and which is all posters read and never even go to the link. As evidenced yesterday in this thread. Thus my emphasis and comments are warranted.

[larrytown]

If you think making no distinction btwn male and female and certain functions each are suited for and joining men with men and turning men into women (at taxpayer expense) is pro-American and opposing such is not, then you are implicitly supporting a foreign power.

I'll assume that you're clearly not promoting any acceptance of sexism (sexual harassment, promotion discrimination, rape, etc.), racism (harassment, denial of promotion, etc.), homophobia (sexual harassment, promotion discrimination, rape, etc.), as well as the other myriad of personal and cultural faults and dysfunctions that fill up places like Ft. Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks.

So, it appears that your major beef with the SGMMC is the politically correct references to sufferers of gender dysphoria. I don't agree with this nonsensical pandering either - most people don't. To speak candidly, anyone that joins the military on the thought of having the taxpayer pay for their gender reassignment surgery/process - they'll find out soon enough how wonderful the military medical establishment is. They'll start out as poster children of a brave new world, and end up as the sad remnants an abandoned social seizure, God help them.

But even at all that - if someone volunteers to serve their country, and they can effectively do the tasks required of them - how is it to anyone's benefit to persecute them for some cultural prejudices? That's certainly not a 'pro-American' trait and it only deflects from focus on the mission.

[MSF BU]

How does introducing the romantic element onto the combat team help readiness? Women enhance readiness? Conscription enhances readiness and doesn’t facilitate love affairs in units. That’s not sexism?

[daniel1212]

"I'll assume that you're clearly not promoting any acceptance of sexism (sexual harassment, promotion discrimination, rape, etc.), racism (harassment, denial of promotion, etc.), homophobia (sexual harassment, promotion discrimination, rape, etc.), as well as the other myriad of personal and cultural faults and dysfunctions that fill up places like Ft. Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks. "

I assume you know that if that is what is being targeted then a conservative would say so and not unequivocally use the broad terms liberals use, and that you also know what sexism and homophobia and even racism means or at least includes in the woke world that the Marines are now part of. Here is their video on LGBT Pride Month

"So, it appears that your major beef with the SGMMC is the politically correct references to sufferers of gender dysphoria."

Not just, for as i presume you must know, in liberalism sexism means anything that even notes distinctions btwn male and female that even infers something unequal btwn the two regardless if the other side also has its own negatives. Certainly holding to certain basic Biblical functional distinctions such as the husband normally being the head of the household and in leadership (and not in front line combat) means you do not qualify for the Woke Marines, and the list goes on. Ever on the lookout, HuffPo warns “

Family-friendly” media marginalizes and objectifies girls and women, creates damaging ideals of masculinity for boys, and sustains mythologies that support a violent, male-dominated status quo ..“as it currently exists, masculinity is fundamentally an expression of patriarchal oppression.”

And worse, "homophobia" basically means refusal to salute the equivalent of the flag of Sodom, including funding transgender surgery.

Meanwhile "racism" includes honoring the likes of George Washington.

"I don't agree with this nonsensical pandering either - most people don't." To speak candidly, anyone that joins the military on the thought of having the taxpayer pay for their gender reassignment surgery/process... But even at all that - if someone volunteers to serve their country, and they can effectively do the tasks required of them - how is it to anyone's benefit to persecute them for some cultural prejudices?

Are you serious? "some cultural prejudices?" Just what kind of conservative are you? You think the homosexual, feminist and liberal movement is about some benign cultural prejudices? It is not only pandering to such that is wrong, but surrendering to liberalism with its NWO in increasingly systematically sanctioning perversions of what God has ordained (list) and persecuting those who actually hold to traditional moral values which provided the manner of character that enabled America past to provide for and fight two world wars. Certainly perversions of the heart and home always existed, but WokeAmerica is now fostering a country and military where these are the norm. And in which simply being able to technically do tasks is not the same as having the kind of character that will defend a country that past generations were willing to risk dying for, which the New Woke Order dishonors and wants to root out those of like patriotic values.

[Thunder90]

Of course they will cut the reserves. Also they may cut funding to the National Guard as well. Even with all the SJW stuff going on there the Dems and BHO still have a seething hatred of the military.

Also remember that Barack Hussein Obama is the one in charge right now, Biden is only a puppet.

[daniel1212]

" The problem is that the progressive communists are trying to make it into a social institution to serve their alternate reality."

Well, since,

Three-month-old babies should be taught about implicit bias and racial stereotypes, according to a series of experts quoted in The Washington Post. In a much-mocked article last week, entitled 'Social justice for toddlers', parents were given a list of books, websites, YouTube channels and companies offering 'woke' material for babies and young children. 'Children develop implicit bias as early as three months old, and at four years old are categorizing and developing stereotypes,' one expert told author Natalie Jesionka, a Dalla Lana Global Journalism Fellow at the University of Toronto (https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3944705/posts)

then why not "baby' recruits?

What is sad are the few attempts to marginalize this woke military stand down as simply being about typical dealing with some cultural prejudices.

[MSF BU]

I meant reserves to be inclusive of both National Guard and the reserves of all five services. This by the way also accomplishes ‘defunding the right’ since by and large reservists we can safely say fall on the conservative side of the ledger.

[larrytown]

How does introducing the romantic element onto the combat team help readiness?

Who is doing that? That would be unprofessional behavior.

Women enhance readiness?

Depends on their role, does it not?

Conscription enhances readiness and doesn’t facilitate love affairs in units. That’s not sexism?

Entirely different environment - besides, no one ever rationally thinks conscription is a good idea. Soldiers that don't want to be soldiers? Yah, that works. /sarc

Believe me, with 30+ years on this side of the dd-214, I still recall how disruptive having mixed gender troops can be - young healthy people in close proximity are going to do what they're going to do.

Thing is, the genie is out of the bottle, and in current society used to a relatively successful first world military - it ain't changing.

All of this indoctrination is a grasping attempt to try to put boundaries and 'enhance' these young troopies self-control and focus them on the big picture.

[larrytown]

Not even going to touch on the spaghetti of thoughts here, since pretty clear you’re not hearing what I’m saying. America is a pluralistic society, and the SGMMC’s message is a product of that.

I’ve also got to wonder, do you really believe that the SGM believes ALL of this stuff? That he actually wrote this from his own beliefs?

He’s the enlisted equivalent of a high general officer, who managed the political ladder climb to that position. His ‘output’ is so crafted and scripted by a team of God-only-knows how many politicritters, he was probably lucky to find a missing comma to correct before signing off on it.

And everyone downstream KNOWS this - it just becomes another obstacle to manage in keeping the organization effective.

[MSF BU]

Putting women and men in the same units introduces the romantic element onto the combat team. The same goes for introducing homosexuality into the barracks.

Nobody rationally thinks conscription is a good idea? Except South Korea...and Israel...and Sweden... and Finland..and Switzerland, etc. Nobody rationally thinks that we are going to be fighting a prolonged major ground war against competent enemies (as opposed to 2d and 3rd world bozos) and do it without a draft.

As regards soldiers that don't want to be soldiers, talk to James Webb or read something from Hal Moore or David Hackworth; the conscripts did just fine in a far tougher environment than Iraq or Afghanistan...far, far tougher. Soldiers that sign up for the college program or because there is no other work? Standards dropped to accommodate gang bangers and CAT IV intelligence levels? No thanks. I'll take the conscripts any day as an addition to the recruits. Men make different decisions when they have these to make those decisions during a draft.

[MSF BU]

Of course he believes it all; they found a Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps who would be a champion for degeneracy. Just like they found Mike Mullen to champion sodomy and women in combat. At one time we had guys like Peter Pace and Carl Mundy; we now have a lower class of individual. Just like we have a lower class of individual with Hussein Obama or Joe Biden as compared to Dwight Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan. We have an environment where weaklings and cowards prevail.