Corporate Corps

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ORDERED the creation of two battalions, and the first marines enlisted on November 10, 1775, led by Captain Samuel Nicholas. Although 1775 is often considered the year when the marines were born, they came into existence long before that. The first marines were recruited in 1740 and known as Gooch's Marines. They were named after the first (unofficial) commandant of the Marine Corps, Colonel William Gooch. They served on British ships with the Royal Marines during the French and Indian War.

Gooch's Marines were more than three thousand men strong. They volunteered to fight aboard British ships from various states along the East Coast, such as New York, New Jersey, New England, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. These men didn't come from well-to-do families, nor did they possess an ivy league education. The men stepped forward to protect a divided union, not because they possessed a sense of duty to their nation, but because they were poverty stricken, from the slums, and had tiny mouths to feed. Volunteering to be a marine was the last effort to provide basic necessities for their families. But in most historical literature, they are depicted as criminals, looters, thieves, and homeless vermin who lacked moral character. I find it difficult to believe men lacking moral character would be the first volunteering to sacrifice their lives. Maybe they were actually good men who just happened to be poor. Nonetheless, they fought because they had to live. Not much has changed since then. It appears that those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are often the first to sacrifice their lives for a cause.

Colonel Gooch led marines under the Forty-Third American Regiment of Foot from 1740 to 1742. British Marines trained Gooch's Marines on shipboard duties, ship-to-shore operations, small arms fire, and ship's gun training. These men hoped that upon returning they would have gained valuable skills to make a fair living and be able support their families.

Many of Gooch's Marines didn't survive the deployment because of tropical diseases, mainly yellow fever. Out of the three thousand men who originally volunteered, a little more than three hundred (seventeen officers, thirteen noncommissioned officers, and 286 sick enlisted marines) returned, some with illnesses that eventually led to their deaths. The first institution of marines was short-lived. In October 24, 1742, the Forty-Third American Regiment was disbanded, pushing Gooch's surviving men to serve under other regiments. Although they were instrumental, they were considered dispensable assets.

It's safe to assume that during this time the Marine Corps lacked structure and standards because there was not a need to keep the marines around. It wasn't until after the American Revolution that the founders focused on establishing a Marine Corps that was high in demand. Gooch's Marines are a strong reminder that in order to take care of our marines, we must establish strong values and guide them to find purpose, individually and as a team. Ignoring these tasks will lead to the destruction of our Marine Corps, just like the plague wiped out Gooch's Marines.

The chances of our current Marine Corps being wiped out by a plague such as yellow fever may seem unlikely, but there is a plague out there that has the potential to destroy the organization. It lurks in the shadows and has been slowly infecting our marines. I call it the corporate plague.

When I first joined, the Marine Corps functioned and acted like a family. It was a people-first culture. We placed emphasis on accomplishing the mission and adhering to tradition, but taking care of the marines was always the priority. "Mission first, marines always!" Marines took care of each other. Those days have nearly faded away; the marine warrior is seen as expendable rather than the nation's most valuable asset.

It's important to understand that in the beginning, the Marine Corps was born out of necessity. Today, the American people want a Marine Corps. However, throughout the years, it has transformed into a corporation that favors a stone-cold professional image over compassion and empathy for its service members. It has become cold and corporate.

What Is Corporate Corps?

Corporate corps is a hybrid of corporate mind-set and Marine Corps structure that cares more about image than taking care of its people. The corporate corps mentality creates the illusion of a culture of teamwork and values that make marines believe they are a part of something bigger than themselves. But it's a lie. Control measures are implemented, disguised as directives, with claims of creating a better establishment for all. The reality is that these control measures serve the personal and political agenda of those we view as our fearless leaders.

Disciplinary issues throughout the Marine Corps have skyrocketed as a result of this corporate mind-set. A corporate culture leaves no room for inspiration or creativity. It creates marines who are afraid to make decisions; for fear that they will fail or make a mistake. Zero-defect mentality is in full effect. The Marine Corps I grew up in wanted leaders who acted respectfully and morally, understanding that people make mistakes. Instead, the decision makers think they can fix our disciplinary issues by implementing stricter guidelines or deterrent programs designed to scare marines straight. The overwhelming amount of dos and don'ts, disguised as higher standards, has resulted in untrusting and resentful marines.

In the last decade, the "big, green, lean, mean fighting machine" has been hit hard by the corporate plague. It didn't come from the private first class, as the hierarchy makes you believe. Senior leadership has been selling the notion that our disciplinary issues are due to a generation of marines who don't want to work hard and refuse to be disciplined. Don't believe it!

America's youth is sometimes rebellious, but it's that rebellious spirit that makes America great. It isn't our young marines who have infected the Marine Corps. Our issues didn't start at the bottom of our ranks. Junior marines aren't the culprits of the corporate plague; sphere of influence is.

Junior marines don't have a huge sphere of influence; they might have influence on one or two other marines. Maybe it's middle management (meaning sergeants)? Think again. Sergeants can only make decisions that affect the marines under their charge. The culprits are senior leaders who have the most influence on the masses. They have influence on policy and make policy.

The corporate plague began at the top and has been making its way down the ranks, breeding a generation of heartless leaders that will devour everything in their path that doesn't serve...