San Diego -- “Leadership is intangible, hard to measure and difficult to describe. Its quality would seem to stem from many factors. But certainly they must include a measure of inherent ability to control and direct, self-confidence based on expert knowledge, initiative, loyalty, pride and sense of responsibility. Inherent ability cannot be instilled but that which is latent or dormant can be developed. Other ingredients can be acquired. They are not easily learned. But leaders can be and are made.”
This quote, from Gen. Clifton B. Cates, 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps, was read to recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, during their introduction to the Marine Corps Leadership class aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Oct. 5.
The purpose of the class was to develop the leadership qualities of Marines to enable them to assume progressively greater responsibilities to the Marine Corps and society.
By definition, leadership is the sum of those qualities of intellect, human understanding and moral character that enables a person to inspire and control a group of people successfully.
In recruit training, recruits are taught the fundamentals of leadership, such as the Marine Corps’ 11 leadership principles and 11 leadership traits. Drill instructors determine who they put into leadership positions as the guide or squad leader where they are able to apply those skills.
“This class is very helpful,” said Recruit Timothy M. San Miguel, squad leader, Platoon 1031, Co. B. “It showed us how to take better control of the platoon as a leader and it’s going to help me lead Marines in the future.”
For some recruits, recruit training has been the first real experience of having to be a leader and has proven to be a demanding responsibility, according to Recruit Dalton J. Krase, squad leader, Plt. 1031, Co. B.
“As a leader, you need to make sure you’re on top of everything,” said Krase. “It’s a lot of responsibility having to put other people in front of you. I thought I had some experience leading when I use to play sports, but this is really the first major role I’ve had in being a leader.”
Should they complete recruit training, recruits of Co. B will continue their Marine Corps career having the knowledge of being a responsible leader and will use the traits and principles they learned as tools when leading Marines.
“This is where it starts,” said Krase. “This class is going to help us in the future. It gave us the tools we need to know before actually leading Marines.”