theethosoftheroyalmarines.docVIP

THE ETHOS OF THE ROYAL MARINES THE PRECISE APPLICATION OF WILL Dr Anthony King Department of Sociology University of Exeter MAY 2004  CONTENTS Note, Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Biographical Note iii 1. Defining Ethos 1 2. Royal Marine and Commando Ethos 3 3. Unity 7 4. Adaptability 12 5. Humility 15 6. Standards 17 7. Fortitude 21 8. Commando Humour 23 9. Ethos at Work: Operations 25 10. Sustaining Ethos: Dit Culture 28 11. The Precise Application of Will 30 12. The Future of Royal Marines Ethos 32 Appendix A: Maps Normandy 1944 34 Port-en-Bessin 35 Falkland Islands 36 Mount Harriet 37 Appendix B: Inculcating Attitudes 38 Appendix C: The Standards Debate 40 Bibliography 42  Note: This paper was commissioned by Brigadier Nick Pounds, in his capacity as Commandant of the Commando Training Centre, in December 2003. He intended it to be an independent and external report designed to assist the Royal Marines to articulate their ethos more fully. It is hoped that the report has gone some way to fulfilling Brigadier Pounds’ remit. Abstract: The current debates about ethos in the military have been wrongly conceived. Ethos is not an intangible spiritual substance which is related in some unspecified way to the moral component of fighting power. Ethos refers simply to what a group does and how it does it. The ethos of the Royal Marines refers to their role and the way they achieve it. Since the Second World War, the Royal Marines have developed a three-fold role. They are a commando force specialising in amphibious, mountain and cold weather warfare. This difficult role requires certain characteristics which are developed in training; unity, adaptability, humility, standards, fortitude and a sense of humour. It is by means of these qualities that the Royal Marines are able to fulfil their role