“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Today—November 10th—the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250th birthday. Two hundred and fifty years of honor, courage, and commitment.

These aren’t words printed on merchandise or platitudes repeated at company meetings. These values are so deeply ingrained that a majority of Marines have the organization’s logo tattooed permanently on their bodies.

Isn’t that something? I mean, do you have your organization’s logo tattooed on your body?

I didn’t learn these values sitting in a classroom during officer training. Sure, I heard them there. But I learned them from leaders who embodied them in thought, word, and deed. I was held accountable to them. And here’s what made our values so powerful: I could hold anyone accountable to them, regardless of rank. Me, a Captain, could hold a Colonel accountable. And a private could call me out when I wasn’t demonstrating them, either. Rare, right?

• Honor meant that whatever we did, we didn’t discredit ourselves, our teams, or our organization. It meant telling the truth in your after-action report even when a little white lie would’ve made you look better. It meant spending 10 extra minutes ironing your uniform because “good enough” wasn’t going to earn the respect you needed to lead by example.
• Courage meant we were brave—even when we were scared. Especially when we were scared. It meant running toward gunfire when every instinct screamed to take cover. It meant speaking up when a senior officer made a dangerous call. The Marines taught me that my understanding of my limitations was often wrong. I almost always had more in me than I realized—one more pushup, one more mile, one more ounce of courage when my lungs were burning and my legs were shaking.
• Commitment meant we were all in—even if it cost our life. It meant staying awake on watch when exhaustion made your eyelids feel like concrete. It meant carrying a wounded Marine when you were already carrying 80 pounds of gear. We needed to be counted on. No half measures. No excuses. No “I’ll try.” No “Well, I never got the email.”

Early in my career, I thought I had to conform to one leadership style, to be a leader like everyone else. My mentor pulled me aside and kindly but candidly told me that by squelching who I was, I was depriving everyone of my unique insights and skills. I needed to be genuine. I needed to be the leader I was meant to be. And I needed to use our values as my true north—to never abandon them. These lessons changed everything.

Now, I’ve got to admit: these values aren’t tattooed on my body—my mom would’ve freaked out. But they’re tattooed on my soul. Over the past twenty years, as I’ve transformed my career into the private sector and built my family, these values have guided me.

The Marine Corps gave me more than leadership training. It gave me a code to live by—one that doesn’t fade with time or circumstance.

I want you to know this code—and for you to celebrate with me today. When you see a Marine, wish them a happy birthday. When you hear about the Corps, be proud. America: this is your Corps. This is what 250 years of honor, courage, and commitment looks like.

Happy 250th birthday, Marines. Semper Fi.