2018
Framing Marine Corps Culture
Printony Pollman, USMC
(Ret.)
Marine Corps culture is rooted in the service’s long and storied history. Arguably, its culture is what differentiates it from other services and contributes to its fighting prowess and success.
A recent Proceedings article highlighted the need to “foster an inclusive culture†to reach the Commandant’s goal of a 10-percent female Marine Corps. 1 The article also makes the case for strength through diversity. Yet, the Commandant recently had to deal with a revenge porn scandal that alienated female Marines and is symptomatic of a culture that runs counter to the goal of a diverse Corps. 2 The Marines have been battling with issues such as this for years. 3 It seems the very culture that makes the Marine Corps adaptable and successful on the battlefield makes it difficult to integrate women into combat units.
As in any organization, Marine Corps culture must evolve to fit the ever-changing environment in which it operates. Engineers know: what can be measured can be changed. Or, to put it another way, do you really understand something you cannot measure? To this point, organizational culture theory offers tools that can measure culture, enable a deeper cultural understanding, frame the narrative, and aid in change.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2018-06/framing-marine-corps-culture
