JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is the nonsensical ditty you’ll remember for decades.
The Marine Corps Leadership traits are perhaps the essential concepts Marines learn during recruit or OCS training. And with most Marines, terms are easily remembered using acronyms. JJDIDTIEBUCKLE (pronounced “JJ did tie buckle”), representing justice, judgment, dependability, integrity, decisiveness, tact, initiative, endurance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm.
JJ DID TIE BUCKLE is an acronym for remembering the Marine Corps Leadership traits which you will frequently be tested upon at OCS and enlisted recruit training. Watch the official videos below to learn more about each leadership trait.
Leadership is intangible, hard to measure, and difficult to describe. It’s quality would seem to stem from many factors. But certainly they must include a measure of inherent ability to control and direct, self-confidence based on expert knowledge,
General C. B. Cates, 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps
initiative, loyalty, pride and sense of responsibility. Inherent ability cannot be instilled, but that which is latent or dormant can be developed. Other ingredients can be acquired. They are not easily learned. But leaders can be and are made.”
Click on a leadership trait below and view a motivational official Marine Corps-produced videos:
- Judgment
- Justice
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Decisiveness
- Tact (embedded below as an example)
- Initiative
- Enthusiasm
- Bearing
- Unselfishness
- Courage
- Knowledge
- Loyalty
- Endurance
We highly recommend making flashcards and ensuring that “JJ DID TIE BUCKLE” is something you memorize before OCS, and that you can explain and give an example of each trait if called upon without hesitation.
To learn more about the USMC Leadership Development download: MARINE CORPS ORDER 1500.61