Quote:Some of Commandant Amos’ immediate changes are:
■ Sergeants and corporals will return to the barracks, as basic allowance for housing is no longer allowed for single NCOs. This policy change was made in 2011, with the commandant saying it was necessary to save money and put the Corps’ new, impressive bachelor enlisted quarters to full use.
■ Senior officers, staff NCOs and NCOs will be in and out of the barracks regularly, especially between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
■ Company-grade officers will be assigned as officers on duty, and staff NCOs will be assigned as staff officers on duty. All Marines on duty will be required to wear service uniforms, either “Bravos” or “Charlies,” depending on which uniform is in season.
■ Two NCOs will be on duty per barracks, and a firewatch will be conducted on each floor of each building.
■ Television and video games will not be allowed in the watchstander’s place of duty. They must be out and about, and not behind a desk. Commanders leading Marine expeditionary forces, major subordinate commands and installations must develop plans to “fight and win” in the barracks with their sergeants major.
■ Every Marine above the rank of lance corporal must read “Leading Marines” and “Sustaining the Transformation” by Nov. 10, the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday. Both are official publications for the service, and focus on leadership.
■ Marines will no longer be promoted to corporal or sergeant in groups. “Each promotion to these ranks will be personal and meaningful,” one of Amos’ briefing slides says.
■ The Corps will “refocus on the ‘basic daily routine’ business” of running a battalion or squadron. Officers and staff NCOs will be present in the morning as their Marines get ready for their day, conduct organized physical training and eat breakfast.

There will also be a renewed emphasis on established standards in the areas of behavior, physical conditioning and personal appearance, as well as individual weight and body fat. An indicator of the general tone and message of the presentation was a statement made by the commandant regarding behavior concerns. Commandant Amos said, “We will stop accepting bad behavior or substandard performance as a natural consequence of being a ‘combat hardened’ Marine Corps.”

That pretty much says it all.