By LtCol Mark W. Adams
The real measures of success as a Marine can be found not in medals or rank or prestige but in personal attitudes, values, and actions-in his unheralded contributions.
Some might say that measuring success is difficult, that it depends on a lot of interconnected things or is situationally dependent. Some might say success is measured by achieving established goals measured by one's position, status, or degree of power or control. Although all of these yardsticks may have merit, I believe measuring the success of an individual is simple rather than complex.
The performance evaluation system is a measure of our job-related performances throughout our careers. True success, however, is measured on a plane much higher than many may believe. One's success is based upon achieving a level of commitment, endearing love, and enduring dedication that each of us nurtures during life. A simple analogy would be the farmer who understands the value of an honest day's work. The successful farmer measures out his life in bits. He paces himself in his business for the long haul. He rises early, labors throughout the day, only to arise early the next day to continue the plowing, planting, and harvesting. He rotates his crops and is careful not to pick fruit not yet ripe. He teaches his family his trade and knows the positive impact of good
People want to know how much you care before they care about how much you know. Successful Marines invest early in others and methodically give of themselves through time. They know the value of strong personal, as well as professional relationships. Successful Marines know their occupational specialty but are honest about their limitations. They are respected by their subordinates. Honesty and integrity in both work and family are foremost in the lives of successful Marines.
In a world that has become more "me" oriented, we must resist allowing worldly vices to infect our "corporate" values. If the Marine Corps is to main-taro its elite status, our mission is far greater than our expeditionary or unique air- ground task force capabilities. Our Nation will always want a Marine Corps as long as we daily represent an example of the ideal rather than a reflection of society.
Military service should continue to bolster the bastions of trust, faith, love, spirituality, and the kindred spirit of helping others. Placing these values first and instituting them in our daily lives will promote healthy Marines who are larger than life. Making the right choices as we face moral
A personal commitment to God, Country, and Corps has great implications. It means sacrifice and service. It means humility. It means being the best one can be. It means giving your all for your peers. It means balancing the requirements of Marine toughness with the tenderness of a dad, a big brother, and a son. Success as a Marine is not measured by rank or years of service. Successful Marines are those who serve unselfishly and give without taking. Successful Marines protect the force by safeguarding the lives of their Marines in peace and war. Successful leaders of Marines are also good followers.
The successful Marines greet the rising sun as a farmer greets his fields at the break of a new day. He sees life as a succession of challenges instead of problems. He loves his Marines, and he tells them that he loves them. He demonstrates his love by the example he sets daily. He proves that the basic staples of truth, justice, sincerity, obedience, and patience are the ingredients in the recipe of successful life.
The time served as a Marine, whether brief or spanning decades, means little in terms of tangibles. The true measure of a successful Marine
LtCol Mark W. Adams, A Measure of Success, continued
MCI Course 8105 B-6 Chapter 2, Appendix B
the limits of his Corps. A successful Marine realizes that the survival of our Corps of Marines is dependent upon each of us giving in selfless dedication. Successful Marines avoid those who do not aspire to similar high ideals.
Successful Marines toil in their fields with purpose and direction. Placing one's people first and self last is difficult for many. The truly successful Marine does not worry about one-upmanship but energizes his subordinates, gives them wide responsibility commensurate with their abilities, and maintains that commitment of trust, not just for the short term but forever. Successful Marines are heroes to their families and their family of Marines.
As the last furrow is plowed, the last seed planted, the last bale stored, successful Marines watch the sunset with a tear-a tear of pride that his life's work was centered on principles that survive the test of time. All successful Marines are a father to their young Marines. As a father they provide living proof through the winding road of service as a Marine that love is leadership. Successful Marines are resilient and continue to produce honest, substantive results in spite of adversity.
In the end, the true success of Marines will be measured by a yardstick that only God carries. Those who stand the tallest will be the ones who took the time to teach, train, and sustain. In the final accounting, one's success will be measured by his unheralded contributions. These Marines are the ones who will guarantee our Corps'
success in battle and its survival in the near and distant future. These Marines will be remembered. This is the true measure of success.
LtCol Adams is chief of the Fire Support Division at the U. S. Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK.