Leading Marines: McWp 6-11

The indispensable condition of Marine Corps leadership is action and attitude, not words. As one Marine leader said, ‘Don’t tell me how good you are. Show me!’. –Carl Mundy, General US Marine Corps, Foreword of the first publication of Leading Marines, 1995

Leading Marines, first published in 1995 and updated in 2014, is the US Marines’ main publication describing its leadership philosophy. Furthermore, it is used for its leadership training, and as General Amos writes in the current edition’s foreword: This publication is not meant to be a how to guide on leadership, rather, it provides broad guidance in the form of concepts and values… it is meant to be read from cover to cover. Leading Marines describes the Marine Corps’ ethos–who they are and what they do for their nation; the foundations of Marine Corps leadership; and the challenges the Marine leaders face.

Students of the Marines and military history, and anyone interested in leadership will find this fascinating reading.