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Command Post What is this?
Posted on Jan 5, 2015
SFC Michael Faircloth
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SSG(P) Instructor
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THESE ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A NCO...MARINE CORPS VERSION

An acronym I remember from my USMC days that I still apply today:
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE

J - JUSTICE
J - JUDGEMENT

D - DECISIVENESS
I - INITIATIVE
D - DEPENDABILITY

T -TACT
I - INTEGRITY
E- ENTHUSIASM

B - BEARING
U - UNSELFISHNESS
C - COURAGE
K - KNOWLEDGE
L - LOYALTY
E- ENDURANCE

THE TRAITS FURTHER DEFINED:

JUSTICE
Definition: Justice is defined as the practice of being fair and consistent. A just person gives consideration to each side of a situation and bases rewards or punishments on merit.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be honest with yourself about why you make a particular decision. Avoid favoritism. Try to be fair at all times and treat all things and people in an equal manner.

JUDGMENT
Definition: Judgment is your ability to think about things clearly, calmly, and in an orderly fashion so that you can make good decisions.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can improve your judgment if you avoid making rash decisions. Approach problems with a common sense attitude.

DEPENDABILITY
Definition: Dependability means that you can be relied upon to perform your duties properly. It means that you can be trusted to complete a job. It is the willing and voluntary support of the policies and orders of the chain of command. Dependability also means consistently putting forth your best effort in an attempt to achieve the highest standards of performance.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can increase your dependability by forming the habit of being where you're supposed to be on time, by not making excuses and by carrying out every task to the best of your ability regardless of whether you like it or agree with it.

INITIATIVE
Definition: Initiative is taking action even though you haven't been given orders. It means meeting new and unexpected situations with prompt action. It includes using resourcefulness to get something done without the normal material or methods being available to you.

Suggestions for Improvement: To improve your initiative, work on staying mentally and physically alert. Be aware of things that need to be done and then to do them without having to be told.

DECISIVENESS
Definition: Decisiveness means that you are able to make good decisions without delay. Get all the facts and weight them against each other. By acting calmly and quickly, you should arrive at a sound decision. You announce your decisions in a clear, firm, professional manner.

Suggestions for Improvement: Practice being positive in your actions instead of acting half-heartedly or changing your mind on an issue.

TACT
Definition: Tact means that you can deal with people in a manner that will maintain good relations and avoid problems. It means that you are polite, calm, and firm.

Suggestions for Improvement: Begin to develop your tact by trying to be courteous and cheerful at all times. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

INTEGRITY
Definition: Integrity means that you are honest and truthful in what you say or do. You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else.

Suggestions for Improvement: Be absolutely honest and truthful at all times. Stand up for what you believe to be right.

ENTHUSIASM
Definition: Enthusiasm is defined as a sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of your duties. If you are enthusiastic, you are optimistic, cheerful, and willing to accept the challenges.

Suggestions for Improvement: Understanding and belief in your mission will add to your enthusiasm for your job. Try to understand why even uninteresting jobs must be done.

BEARING
Definition: Bearing is the way you conduct and carry yourself. Your manner should reflect alertness, competence, confidence, and control.

Suggestions for Improvement: To develop bearing, you should hold yourself to the highest standards of personal conduct. Never be content with meeting only the minimum requirements.

UNSELFISHNESS
Definition: Unselfishness means that you avoid making yourself comfortable at the expense of others. Be considerate of others. Give credit to those who deserve it.

Suggestions for Improvement: Avoid using your position or rank for personal gain, safety, or pleasure at the expensive of others. Be considerate of others.

COURAGE
Definition: Courage is what allows you to remain calm while recognizing fear. Moral courage means having the inner strength to stand up for what is right and to accept blame when something is your fault. Physical courage means that you can continue to function effectively when there is physical danger present.

Suggestions for Improvement: You can begin to control fear by practicing self-discipline and calmness. If you fear doing certain things required in your daily life, force yourself to do them until you can control your reaction.

KNOWLEDGE
Definition: Knowledge is the understanding of a science or art. Knowledge means that you have acquired information and that you understand people. Your knowledge should be broad, and in addition to knowing your job, you should know your unit's policies and keep up with current events.

Suggestions for Improvement: Suggestions for Improvement: Increase your knowledge by remaining alert. Listen, observe, and find out about things you don't understand. Study field manuals and other military literature.

LOYALTY
Definition: Loyalty means that you are devoted to your country, the Corps, and to your seniors, peers, and subordinates. The motto of our Corps is Semper Fidelis!, (Always Faithful). You owe unwavering loyalty up and down the chain of command, to seniors, subordinates, and peers.

Suggestions for Improvement: To improve your loyalty you should show your loyalty by never discussing the problems of the Marine Corps or your unit with outsiders. Never talk about seniors unfavorably in front of your subordinates. Once a decision is made and the order is given to execute it, carry out that order willingly as if it were your own.

ENDURANCE
Definition: Endurance is the mental and physical stamina that is measured by your ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship. For example, enduring pain during a conditioning march in order to improve stamina is crucial in the development of leadership.

Suggestions for Improvement: Develop your endurance by engaging in physical training that will strengthen your body. Finish every task to the best of your ability by forcing yourself to continue when you are physically tired and your mind is sluggish.
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SGT Signal Support Systems Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
10 y
This used to be in the army as well, but they left it for LRDSHIP: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. I think the Army could learn something from the Marine Corps... But like you, I enjoy the benefit of having been in both services...
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SSG(P) Instructor
SSG(P) (Join to see)
10 y
The ability to kill someone that intends to do you harm must come from your training...it must be delivered with violent decisive action. There may be remorse, there may be fear, there may even be regret...but saving the lives of those to the right and left of you is the highest honor.
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SSgt Kevin Chavez
SSgt Kevin Chavez
10 y
I remember this well!!!! Rrrrrrrr
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Tanya Bishop
Tanya Bishop
7 y
This is about the best thing I’ve ever read. Thank you for sharing this with us. I had looked up characteristics of a soldier for personal improvement and found this. I am a civilian, 57 year old women and trying to better myself. I immediately thought of looking for characteristics of a soldier. This is the exact information I need to take my life to the next level. My Dad was a Marine as a young man. I always admired many things about him. Just a few... excellence, integrity, determination and many other things. He was and always will be my hero!
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CSM Command Sergeant Major IN
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SFC Michael Faircloth,
I read this entire thread with great interest but have to admit I had mixed emotions.

The views you expressed made me wish I had not been medically retired because there are still senior NCO's out there serving that 'get it' and you reminded me I'm not there to serve with you and try to make a difference. On the other hand, the views you expressed let me know I can rest easy in my retirement knowing there are NCO's out there still serving like you who will make a difference - I have to believe. I wish I could buy you a drink, but the best I can do is raise a glass in toast - my sincerest respect. God speed.
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CPT Jack Durish
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There are many points in SFC Faircloth's essay that I would like to address, but I will focus on just one so that its import is not lost. The SFC avers that "... it is our duty to do things that other Americans would,or could, not do. " Really? Is that a statement of intent or fact?

I fear that it may be fact, that most Americans could not or would not defend their nation or their community. Sadly, not even their families or themselves. But that's another issue.

However, I don't believe that it is the intent of a free and self-governing people. All who would live as free men and women must be prepared to defend themselves. History is replete with examples of people who depended upon mercenaries to provide for their defense and, ultimately, fell victim to the mercenaries themselves.

A standing armed force is necessary to provide a buffer against an unexpected or sudden out break of war, to provide a training cadre for citizen soldiers, and to develop the weapons and tactics that are needed to successfully prosecute war. However, the ultimate defense of the nation must vest in its citizens.

I know it has been popular since the advent of nuclear weapons and rapid delivery systems to say that the next war would be fought and decided long before the citizens could be mobilized. However, nuclear war is not the only threat. Terrorists may infiltrate traditional lines of defense and attack citizens long before the military or even law enforcement can respond. Thus, citizens should be organized, trained, and equipped to defend themselves and their communities.

Such militias may also respond to natural disasters. We would not have seen citizens sitting on their roof tops waiting to be rescued following Hurricane Katrina had the government reconstituted Civil Defense following the terrorist attack of 9/11. Sadly, the Administration perpetrated the myth that only big government can take care of citizens and they are expected to hunker down and wait to be saved. Sad...

Thus, to me, a "real soldier" is one who is physically fit, trained, armed, and equipped to defend himself and fight as a member of a team of other real soldiers to defend his community and his nation. They may be members of a standing army, a state guard or a militia. Keep in mind that militias are not only recognized valid organizations, but also mentioned more frequently in the Constitution than any of the branches of government. They were obviously on the minds of the Founders and should be on our minds as well.
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SFC Michael Faircloth
SFC Michael Faircloth
10 y
Sir, my point wasn't to degrade the will of the American people, or to assume there willingness to defend our great nation in the event of a crisis. The point I was making was about the every day soldier who choses this profession in a time of peace because he knows that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. My point is illustrating the continual degrading of discipline in today's Military. Leaders in today's Army at least (not all but the virus is spreading) continue to get lazy. Tough realistic training is becoming a thing of the past. Annual SHARP, EO, and other BS requirements are more important and take president over training that is necessary to soldiers' survival on the battlefield. Also my point is to say that Leaders need to understand that you can't educate a person to not sexually harass or rape or discriminate. They must understand that this is part of who they are not a genetic disorder or some syndrome that can be rehabilitated. Being there friend is not what leaders are for in the military. Who cares about there feelings or if there individual rights are violated. The military isn't a collection of individuals it is a team that must work together or it will fail. The military isn't for everyone and the values that I speak of in this post are values of people who understand that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

Most NCOs today when asked the question what is more important mission or men? Will answer either "men" or "they are of equal importance." These answers are false. The mission will always be more important than men. Men are individuals, the mission is the greater good it is always the mission. And when our nation isn't involved in conflict or your unit isn't deployed, then the "MEN ARE THE MISSION". Putting there needs first taking care of them in both training and the care of their families. So when it is time to go to war they are prepared. COL Chaimberland wasn't ordered at Gettysburg to hold the Little Round Top till it got to dangerous. He was ordered to hold at all cost, this ment that the ground they were standing on was more important then his entire Regiment.

Hopefully that clears it up some. I don't know how to put it any other way.
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
10 y
No need to apologize SFC Faircloth. I was simply responding to one brief phrase in your lengthy and well stated essay. Moreover, I was responding to the challenge that you initially presented: Characteristics of a Real Soldier. I responded with what I believed to be those characteristics without regard to whether or not they were professional soldiers. A soldier is a soldier.

While I merely glossed over the importance of training, you dwelled on it. Again, as I mentioned in my response, I was only going to focus on one aspect so that I could convey what I felt was most important so that it wouldn't be lost in a lengthy response.

That being said, I agree completely on your assertion that the mission is of tantamount importance and have commented similarly in other discussion threads on RallyPoint.

Lastly, thank you for the "Sir". I'll accept it in deference to my age. I am no longer a captain, just a P-F-C and a veteran
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SFC Michael Faircloth
SFC Michael Faircloth
10 y
Sir, I thank you again for your support on my stance and I will try and help to enhance yours. The Militia Act of 1903 AKA the Dick Act. This law repealed the Militia Acts of 1792 and organized the militia into two groups: the Reserve Militia, which included all able-bodied men between ages 17 and 45, and the Organized Militia, which included state militia (National Guard) units receiving federal support. This Act clearly states that ALL Able-bodied Men in the United States are to be ready to defend our borders if needed.

And the Sir is my upbringing not in reference to your rank. Also considering yourself a P-F-C is contradictory to your own stance. Plus from what I have read speaks for your character, and it is LIGHTYEARS FROM P-F-C! Just saying.
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MSG Greg Kelly
MSG Greg Kelly
10 y
Many Hooha's SFC Faircloth you are on point. do you recall John Reading Mission First Men Always the mission is always more important than the men.
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