The history of the Marine Corps encompasses a great representation of what it means to be a Marine. Through the battles fought, distinguished bravery and leadership have been highlighted among Non-commissioned officers. Tales of their bravery can be recounted through historical articles, depicting their courage, decisiveness, selflessness, and judgement. The complexity of their abilities has allowed them to thrive in every situation. Among them, some have been identified for their exemplar behavior, and even recognized as Medal of honor recipients. Such as Cpl. Joseph Vittori, who selflessly sustained his position to death, so his team members could reinforce the ridge of the hill (Nye, 2018). Qualities as such, have transcended the idea of the capabilities of a Marine NCO. Although the presence of these capabilities are true within some leaders today, it is my analysis that NCO’ no longer hold the same perception as before due to cultural changes within past and existing generations.
To begin with, the new population of NCO’s is majorly compromised of the millennial generation and generation X. Provided these generations, different ideals and leadership style have now shifted from traditionalism/autocratic to a mainstream democratic style. NCO’s before carried the core values of sacrifice, respect for authority, trust in government, discipline, and strength as an influence in their type of leadership (“Generation Difference Chart,” n.d.). These traditional views allowed them to carry themselves in a manner of wanting to live up to the current standards at all times and carry themselves accordingly. According to the article US Marine in Pusan Perimeter, “in 1950… a sergeant behaved the way a good sergeant had behaved since the time of Ceaser, expecting no-nonsense, allowing none…the Marine Corps was not made pleasant for ‘these’ men who served in it. It remained the same hard, brutal way of life it had always been”
Contrary to the past, the generation of NCO’s today lean more towards the norm of valuing sociability, skepticism, balance, realism, global thinking and realism (“Generation Difference Chart,” n.d.). Due to the shift in generational values, NCO’S practice a leadership with more flexibility and leniency. They don’t carry forward the believe of “expecting no nonsense and allowing none.” With that, comes skepticism on why things are the way they are. Before, NCO’s were quick to follow a command without questioning the authoritarian figures decision. Take Vietnam vets for example, they followed orders without questioning the purpose behind the war. Now, younger Marines are more analytical of decisions being made and different course of actions one can take.
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Furthermore, NCO’s no longer hold the same perception, because their roles have been held primarily in garrison. Current NCO’s, range from the average age of early 20’s to mid 20’s. With many of them joining the military directly after high school. With the garrison culture predominately focused on professionalism, one can conclude that age barrier presents a lack of experience in leadership, and character development. According to Major Thomas D. Wood, in his report analysis of current NCO’s, he states “contemporary Marine NCO’s are far younger and more inexperienced than many would suspect. Consequently, they often lack the maturity and experience required to transmit their temper and character, much less thrive on a complex battlefield” (Wood, 2010, p. 9).
Although modern Marines may not hold the same perception as before, they still hold up to the standard of what a Marine is, carrying forth the values of honor, duty, courage, etc. Their abilities and competence is not questionable. In fact, their lack of correlation between past NCO perception is just the mere factor of culture change.
