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Let's Train Them Like Marines

By Sergeant Major Michael Burke, U.S. Marine Corps
November 2017
Proceedings
Nobody Asked Me, But . . .
View Issue
Comments

The Marine Corps spends too much time telling our troops what not to do.

We are members of a dynamic and exciting tradition, worthy of emulation, yet our annual training requirements are bloated with classes that inspire apathy instead of enthusiasm. There is a “do not haze” class. A “do not sexually assault” class. A “do not be prejudiced” class. A “do not make unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks” class. The list of “do nots” continues: Do not abuse drugs. Do not abuse alcohol. Do not let operational stress stress you out. Do not commit suicide or allow your buddy to commit suicide. Do not abuse your intimate partner. Do not mistreat children.

And don’t forget the “do not use tobacco” class. I still am forced to take this course online every year even though I don’t use tobacco.

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Sergeant Major Michael Burke

Sergeant Major Michael Burke, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), retired in 2018 after serving as squadron sergeant major of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 in Yuma, Arizona.

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