N.W. writes:

After three long months of almost no reading it was nice to come home from boot camp and peruse your blog. The only trouble is that between you and Mr. Auster I’m so far behind I don’t know where to start. (All suggestions welcome.) 

The Marine Corps is strong as ever. One aspect of the Marines which I especially admire is their dedication to defending not only our country and Constitution but also the common courtesies which are the foundation of a great society. During recruit training, all of us recruits had to greet everyone we encountered with the greeting of the day, “Good Morning, Ma’am,” “Good Morning, Sir,” etc. When we didn’t, we were immediately corrected (“Get on your face, maggot!”). Before we left we had a whole class on proper civilian attire for Marines: collared shirt, tucked-in; belt and trousers, etc. The 1st Sergeant of our company was adamant about the importance of courtesy within society. The Marine Corps, he said, was one of the last strongholds of common courtesy in our country and as Marines it was our duty to live as an example for others.

Now, granted, not everyone lives up to these standards. There’s always that ten percent that’s gonna drag its feet regardless. However, during our training, it was constantly impressed upon us that the protection of common courtesy is just as important as the defense of our country and the Constitution. It’s a pity that most young people today miss out on that message.         

The common conception is that courtesy is dead and outdated and hardly “cool” (a concept I’ve grown to despise). It would be interesting to see if such a tradition is alive and well in the other service branches. What was especially impressive for me was that the Marine Corps’ notion of courtesy extended to “opening the door for ladies,” as well as curtailing our more colorful language in their presence. Given the fact that the vast majority of young ladies I know are not above dropping a colorful phrase or two, this last common courtesy is one which is rather strange to consciously mantain.

                                  — Comments —

Van Wijk writes:

The Marine Corps is well-known for its emphasis on proper courtesy and etiquette, and its general willingness to go the extra mile with its recruits.

The instruction that N.W. describes is virtually unheard of in the Army. Initial entrance training for the Army is eight weeks long, while the Marines take 12 weeks.

Mrs. N. writes:

When parents stopped training in self respect and allowed the natural desires of selfishness and indulgence to rule, we lost what was required for a natural exercise of courteous behavior. Although it is a dismal commentary on the state of parenting in America that this type of training would be required at so late a stage in development, it is heartening to hear that the Marines still understand its importance. While not all of the recruits will embrace this teaching, many will, and will pass its benefits on to society as a whole.

Laura writes:

Yes, the decline in manners parallels the decline in parental authority and influence. But Mrs. N. is right: better late than never. Many people find the knowledge of how to behave courteously liberating. Civility and small courtesies create a sense of assurance and order that influences a person’s entire being.

Kimberly writes:

I read this post because I wondered if N.W. would address the “colorful language,” and he did. I was suprised at his take on it. I never thought of how hard it must be for men to remember not to cuss when the women do it just as often.

My best friend of many years is the youngest of five girls, and she and he older sister both married military men. One is a Marine and the other is in the Navy. Both of them come home dropping every “colorful f-bomb” and other sorts of phrases you can imagine, and they forget to even stop around the kids. Growing up, my friend and her sisters refused to cuss, and I admired it. Now I refuse to do it, but they’ve just decided to give in. I wish they would hold the high standards they used to. Then maybe their husbands would be able to apply the charming standards they’re learning. When a woman swears, she sounds like trash. It’s not tough, it’s just ugly.

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