Honor requires each Marine to exemplify the ultimate
standard in ethical and moral conduct.
Honor is many things; honor requires many things.
A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal,
but that is not enough. Much
more is required. Each
Marine must cling to an uncompromising code of personal
integrity, accountable for his actions and holding others
accountable for theirs. And,
above all, honor mandates that a Marine never sully the
reputation of his Corps.
Simply stated, courage is honor in action -- and more.
Courage is moral strength, the will to heed the inner
voice of conscience, the will to do what is right regardless of
the conduct of others. It
is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher standard.
Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is
right in spite of adverse consequences.
This courage, throughout the history of the Corps, has
sustained Marines during the chaos, perils, and hardships of
combat. And each
day, it enables each Marine to look in the mirror -- and smile.
Total dedication to Corps and Country.
Gung-ho Marine teamwork.
All for one, one for all. By
whatever name or cliche, commitment is a combination of (1)
selfless determination and (2) a relentless dedication to
never give up, never give in, never willingly accept second
best. Excellence is
always the goal. And,
when their active duty days are over, Marines remain reserve
Marines, retired Marines, or Marine veterans.
There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or former-Marine.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Commitment never dies.