New Partner: Commandant’s Reading List

Our newest partner provides a very important resource for current and future Marines of every stripe. All Marines are required to read the books appropriate to their rank for professional development. There are categories for recruits and candidates as well. Now, the Commandant has added these additional special interest categories: Leadership Maneuver Warfare Strategic Thinking Counter-Insurgency Regional Studies Logistics Aviation Wounded Warrior Before you report … Continue reading New Partner: Commandant’s Reading List

Commandants Reading List Books for Candidates

The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (also known as the Marine Corps Reading List) is a list of required annual reading for all officer and enlisted Marines, whether active duty or reserve.

The great thing about the Commandant’s famous reading list is that most of these books are free. Download the other ones on your kindle, and you can easily knock out the required reading for candidates before you report to OCS. The Commandant’s Choice Books are great to have done before OCS, but not required.

Read Gen. Amos’ message to Marines in CMC White Letter No. 4-12: Reading in the Marine Corps… “Thirty year old body and 5000 year old mind”. The Commandant’s guidance and additional information can be found in ALMAR 001/13 dated 2 JAN 2013.

This post features two lists: Commandant’s Choice, which are for all Marines, and the list for Entry Level Officers, or Candidates.

Commandant’s Choice Books

All Marines are required to read these books.

A Message to Garcia

Cover Art

Story of an American soldier charged with delivering a critical message to a leader of Cuban rebel forces during the Spanish American War. He delivers the urgent missive with no questions asked, no complaining, and no hedging. The enduring and almost unbelievably simple message of the essay is this: When asked to perform a task, don’t ask How…? or Why…? or Wouldn’t it be better if? Just do it. This book is also on the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Reading List and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Reading List.

Free Online: Free pdf ebook

Leading Marines

Cover Art

This publication describes a leadership philosophy that reflects the traditional strengths of the Marine Corps as an institution and attempts to define the very ethos of being a Marine. It is about the inseparable relationship between the leader and the led, and is as much about the individual Marine—the bedrock upon which the Corps is built—as it is about any leader.

FREE ONLINE: Marines.mil

The Warrior Ethos

Cover Art

Do we fight by a code? If so, what is it? What is the Warrior Ethos? Where did it come from? What form does it take today? How do we (and how can we) use it and be true to it in our internal and external lives? The Warrior Ethos is intended not only for men and women in uniform, but artists, entrepreneurs and other warriors in other walks of life. The book examines the evolution of the warrior code of honor and “mental toughness.” It goes back to the ancient Spartans and Athenians, to Caesar’s Romans, Alexander’s Macedonians and the Persians of Cyrus the Great (not excluding the Garden of Eden and the primitive hunting band). Sources include Herodotus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Xenophon, Vegetius, Arrian and Curtius–and on down to Gen. George Patton, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe Dayan.

Available in multiple formats on Amazon

Candidate Q: “Bodybuilder” at OCS

Candidate Question: I am 6 feet tall and 200lbs at approximately 15% body fat. I’d like to maintain the definition in my arms and shoulders (chest shouldn’t be a problem considering the amount of pushups done during OCS). Is there any place I can train with weights during Liberty? A: Imagine if you weren’t so obsessed with your own appearance and were instead focused on … Continue reading Candidate Q: “Bodybuilder” at OCS

Pushups, Pullups, Crunches: The 1-2-3 Bodyweight Workout

Candidates, if you need to mix up your cardio circuits or need some ideas for a no-frills bodyweight workout, you will love the 1-2-3 Bodyweight Workout. Since there’s no running or lower body involved, you could combine it with some or else use it on your alternate days. Either way, it requires no gym or weights, so you could do the whole thing at home … Continue reading Pushups, Pullups, Crunches: The 1-2-3 Bodyweight Workout

Goodbye Silkies?

Candidates and friends, The Marine Corps Times story last week confused many of us and led to many discussions over on the facebook page. I, the blog author, have been in contact with the writer of the story, who helped clear up the issue. See the correspondence below. From the Marine Times writer: This was a confusing story precisely because there is no MARADMIN on … Continue reading Goodbye Silkies?