Why organizations and countries remain superb

It is absolutely rare for organizations or countries to remain superior for extended periods of time. The reasons for their demise normally relate to corruption, complacency, arrogance and many other debilitating issues.

How do they become superior and maintain superiority is my point today. Challenges and setbacks always occur, but the truly superior organizations always look at these as challenges to be overcome and not death dealing issues to overwhelm them.

I doubt many will argue about the Marine Corps being a superior military organization. Since 1775, it has fought in every war confronting this nation and normally was the first to be engaged. The Marines' Hymn describes many of the events in its early history, and naturally parallels that of the country. Different aspects of the Marine uniform also reflect on its history and build on traditions. Naturally there have been legends developed over the years that add to the mystique,but the accomplishments in battle cannot be denied.

The initial development was added to by more and more achievements, but how was it maintained over countless decades? Tradition and history are two of the key answers, while recruitment adds its share.

All Marine recruits attend boot camp at either Parris Island, S.C., or San Diego, Calif. The climate and atmosphere may be different, but the emphasis and training are identical. That is where we make Marines, by changing civilians into Marines. Our history is drilled into them from the first day until they graduate a couple of months later. They are taught to think and act as a team. The Corps will depend on them and they will be Marines forever.

"We didn't promise you a rose garden" and "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" are samples of advertisements. Stories of individuals and units are constantly utilized to drive home the point they are among the best and only the best is expected of them. All officers go to The Basic School at Quantico, Va., where much the same is taught about history and traditions, only for a longer period of time.

After graduation, both officers and enlisted go on to additional training and then to operating units. The operating units also stress their history and teamwork. The Marine Birthday on Nov. 10 is the largest celebration in the corps and traditions and history are continually stressed. These are the foundations that keep the Marine Corps an elite organization.

The United States is without a doubt the greatest and most powerful nation in the history of the world. We are no different than people in all the other countries of the world, so how did we become so powerful and rich while becoming exceptional? Freedom, initiative, resourcefulness and ingenuity all contributed to our success, while capitalism was the driving force. But the major contributor was and is the Constitution of the United States. That document allowed us as a people to be free of government interference and to strive with our God-given talents.

As a nation, we are not immune to the frailties of governments and we have not been without various failings. But as a whole, there is no other country in history that has done as much for mankind on a continuing basis.

I recall studying our history and how great this country is while I attended school. Movies typically presented us in a favorable light and stressed the positive rather than dwelling on the negative. During this time in my youth, we fought World War II and then Korea.

In both cases, we asked for nothing in return except enough space to bury our dead on foreign soil. We rebuilt defeated and destroyed countries asking nothing in return. No other country in history has replicated those feats.

Many famous Americans came to this country and brought their talents with them. America encouraged and allowed them to use those talents because of our freedom. They came to this country looking for something that was not available in their home countries, and many discovered their success was limited only by their own desire and hard work.

As long as freedom exists and government does not hinder it, we will remain superb.