Two thumbs up from A Man Who Knows The Deal:
ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2009 – The secret to the U.S. Marine Corps’ success is a blending of bedrock principles with innovation, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here last night.
Using two examples from recent history — the heroism of the last Marine Medal of Honor recipient and the turnaround in Iraq’s Anbar province, — Army Gen. David H. Petraeus shared his view at an event hosted by the Marine Association Foundation.
“On the one hand, Marines display a stalwart resistance to change in those bedrock values that form the very foundation of what it means to be Marine,” he said. “On the other hand, Marines demonstrate a ready embrace of innovation that allows them to adapt to the environments in which they operate and to the enemies they face.”
Some of those timeless, unchanging truths that describe the Marine Corps include an unflinching devotion to one’s fellow Marines, a ready embrace of hardship and a universal emphasis on the skills and the spirit of the rifleman, he said.
The bold-facing on that last one is mine– I think it is one of the most important attributes we maintain.
Thanks, General, coming from you this is high praise indeed!
