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Dear Grumpy Advice on Teaching in Today's Classroom

Leadership

This is one of the best articles that I have read about leadership in a very long time. While it is written for the Marines.
Nevertheless, I think that my Fellow Teachers would read this and nod their heads too!
So enjoy!
Grumpy
“You will lead your Marines with firmness, fairness and dignity …”
This is one of the charges levied on all Marines who have taken on the mantle of leadership within the Corps.
Dignity is defined as a state or quality of being worthy of respect. It is my belief that the above sentence charges us not to treat Marines with dignity, but to conduct ourselves with dignity. This means our comportment should be worthy of respect and pride.
If such is the case, and we are striving to live up to the ideals of the enduring fabric of our identity as Marines, then why would we take any action that is in direct contrast to that?
Our purpose as Marines is to defend the helpless, not isolate, denigrate, and bully those we perceive as weaker. We do not target members of our own tribe for degradation and humiliation. However, it seems that is precisely what has been happening for some time now among an online group known as Marines United.
If you are not up to speed, there were turds among them who not only posted nude photos and videos of their female Marine counterparts on line, many of them also posted name, rank, and duty station of their victim. This opened up the door for further predatory behavior in the form of vile suggestive comments and rape threats sent from courageously anonymous scum.
“But SgtMaj, shouldn’t those women have known better than to take those kinds of photos?”
IRRELEVANT.
It makes no difference the circumstances under which this media was obtained. The fact is it was all used to target, denigrate, intimidate, and threaten fellow Marines and is the worst kind of treachery in those who have been given “special trust and confidence.”
I am particularly furious at this kind of conduct and it makes my stomach turn to think that because of this betrayal many of my fellow Marines no longer feel a special trust and confidence in their own tribe. It is especially discrediting and reproachful considering we are an institution whose motto is “Always Faithful.”
I feel nothing but contempt for these charlatans who have ignobly masqueraded as Marines. If it were in my power, I’d strike all of their names from our roles and let history reflect they were never truly one of us. Because they aren’t.
To all my fellow Marines, this conduct is contrary to the very fabric of who we are. None of us joined to prey on the innocent. We joined to be a part of one of the greatest warrior traditions in the history of mankind. We are meant to be a living barrier against the forces of evil, and to stand between the hazard and the defenseless.  We share a kinship and history few can comprehend. If you’re a victim here, I’ve got your back. No Marine faces combat alone and there is no reason to face this obstacle alone either.
“And we are now men, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not minors and invalids in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing before a revolution, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty effort, and advancing on Chaos and the Dark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I ride for the brand. Ride with me.
America’s SgtMaj

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