First of all, thank you very much indeed for your kind comments. You have mentioned Jim Collin’s maxim before, and it certainly seems to be right on the money, and an excellent, memorable way to make the point.

I like your phrase “our history feeds our future,” about the unique cultural dynamics of the Corps. In some ways, I think our anticipation of the future, and of the legacy we will leave it and our successors, also feeds our present and, in that sense, even the past.

Thank you again for your generous comments and thought-provoking observations - you are feeding the future of this discussion - thanks!

In a sense, it speaks to Jim Collins’ maxim to find the right people before you commit them to something they may not be inclined to fulfill with vigor (First Who, Then What).

The Corps has a very unique way of accomplishing this - both by weeding out those less committed and by instilling in those who remain the stories of the noble heritage they are part of (and may contribute to) if only they are so committed (such as the story about your talk with the company of newly minted Marines brilliantly illustrates).

Our history feeds our future, which will make the history that will inspire our posterity.

People of character want to be people who others have reason to look up to, and the only way to be that is to do the things others less committed are unwilling to do. The leaders’ job is to show them the way and let them put on their boots to take the path themselves.

Wonderful story. Start to finish.