MCRP 6-11D
7-2
Soldier or Sailor, and they will quickly respond with such names
as John Paul Jones, Douglas MacArthur, or George Patton. Ask
them to name a famous Marine, and they will most likely draw a
blank. Yet, to them, the word “Marine” is synonymous with honor,
courage, and commitment: our core values. They expect them to
rise above self-interest, and they expect them to lead. Their expec-
tations of veteran Marines are the same as those they place on
active and reserve Marines. When we “make Marines,” we make
Marines for life. We provide our Nation with a legacy of productive
citizens, transformed by their experiences while on active duty and
enriched by their internalization of our ethos, ideals, and values.
Nearly 70 percent of all active duty Marines are first-term enlist-
ees who leave active duty at completion of their first term. While
a few will remain and provide our critical NCO and staff NCO
leadership, most have other aspirations—yet unfulfilled
dreams—and they will depart upon completion of 4 years of
faithful service. Though thousands of Marines leave the Corps
each year, they will always be United States Marines. They
earned that title at the end of recruit training and have been
expected to live up to those responsibilities ever since.
The responsibility of being a Marine does not end upon leaving
active ranks. In many respects, it only just begins. While these
men and women are no longer under the watchful eye of their
Marine superiors and no longer subject to the Uniform Code of
Military Justice, they continue to be judged by fellow Americans
on their actions and the quality of their character for the rest of
their lives. This judgment extends not only to a Marine’s actions,
but also to how he or she represents themselves online. Posts,