Marines

Photo Information

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, addresses Marines with Marine Forces Reserve at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Jan. 20, 2015. Green’s visit entailed getting to know his Marines better and discussing the 'Protect What You've Earned' campaign by urging Marines to continue to uphold the standards of the Corps on and off duty.

Photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire

Marine Corps' top enlisted leader discusses 'Protect What You've Earned' campaign

22 Jan 2016 | Cpl. Gabrielle Quire U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

Green discussed a variety of topics, informing Marines of the numerous changes happening in the Marine Corps, and answered Marines’ questions. He also spoke about the “Protect What You’ve Earned” campaign which encourages Marines to practice good decision making in the Corps by raising awareness on decisions that lead down the wrong path, rather than toward success.

“You earned your eagle, globe and anchor, now protect it,” said Green. “There are two names on your chest, the one you were born into, and the one you enlisted into. Both mean family. Make sure you don’t let either one of them down.”

Making good decisions is crucial to the overall readiness in the Marine Corps. When one individual fails within a unit, it affects everyone as a whole.

 “The strength of the pack is the wolf, the strength of the wolf is the pack,” a poem Green quoted, The Jungle, by Rudyard Kipling.

The Marine Corps’ rules and regulations are in place for a reason, to protect the individual on your left and right, or to keep those left behind you safe. Marines are held to the highest standards and are expected to uphold all of the Corps values on and off duty.

“We have rules, we have regulations, we have to play by them and so do the wolves,” said Green. “If you don’t play by the rules, you’re like a weak link in the chain that we all depend on.”

While Green expects nothing but the best from his Marines, he also knows we all make mistakes.

            “We are not measured by how far we fall, we are measured by how far we get up,” he said.

            The campaign is a reminder to Marines that they have a responsibility to themselves and to the Corps to protect what they’ve earned as a Marine. A unit is only as strong as its weakest link. Marines hold accountability for each other and well as themselves in and outside the uniform, keeping the nation safe and the Corps at peak readiness.