Good Marine, Bad Marine?

Obviously the Marine above is a "Good Marine." As a young Marine myself, I am finding it hard to define what a "Good Marine" is. Most service members are familiar with the term "Squared away" it is defined as "Someone or something that makes a good impression. Well maintained uniform or a successful exercise." So basically you can be a squared away Marine, but at the same time be a bad Marine?

The reason I'm having such a problem with this is because of the bad example some Marines my age get. A very raw bad one. Sayings thrown around loosely by Staff NCO's to the young Marines such as: "You're not a real Marine until you get a page 11 or NJP."Even one of the greatest Marines to ever walk across the parade deck Chesty Puller said, "Take me to the brig, I want to speak to the real Marines!"

Excuse me Chesty, but I thought Marines were clean-cut, disciplined men, that always follow a lawful order. Men who are perfectionists at being a professional, Men who will never back down from any challenge, and MOST importantly are Always Faithful.

Webster told me this:Professional (1): characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. I didn't hear anything about spending time in the brig, or and page 11's nor NJPs. We have it drilled in our heads as Marines from the very beginning to uphold the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and aways maintain professionalism.

And what has upset me the most the people that drilled this into our heads, from Corporals to Sergeant Majors have been total hypocrites. For one instance, at a certain unit, a Captain (O-3), leader of Marines, was caught having consensual sex with the Battalion Sergeant Major's wife, while he was doing his duty in Iraq. Wow way to set the example Marines! And everyone calls us "Lance Criminals."

(Now let me stop and explain something, that term doesn't bother me. During the summer in The Marine Times, junior Marines were complaining about the term "Devil Dog", I am NOT one of those Marines. It gives me pride and makes my day when I am called a Devil Dog.)


I really hope a fellow Marine reads this, especially a boot. Hopefully they will question themselves, and answer "Am I a good Marine?"

-Semper Fidelis