United States Marine Corps General Charles C. Krulak …

 United States Marine Corps
         General Charles C. Krulak
           Commandant of the Marine Corps

                July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999




                              Charles C. Krulak
                          Commandant of the Marine Corps

General Charles C. Krulak served as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps from
July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. He is the son of Lt. Gen. Victor H. "Brute" Krulak,
USMC, who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Charles Krulak was born on March 4, 1942, in Quantico, Virginia, After graduating from
The Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, Krulak attended the U.S. Naval
Academy. He graduated from there in 1964 with a bachelor's degree. Krulak also holds a
master's degree in labor relations from George Washington University (1973). He is a
graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School (1968); the Army Command and General
Staff College (1976); and the National War College (1982).

Career assignments
After his commissioning and graduation from The Basic School at Quantico, Krulak held
a variety of command and staff positions. His command positions included: Commanding
Officer of a platoon and two rifle companies during two tours of duty in Vietnam;
Commanding Officer, Special Training Branch and Recruit Series, MCRD, San Diego,
California. (1966-1968), Commanding Officer, Counter-Guerilla Warfare School, NTA,
Okinawa (1970), Company Officer, U.S. Naval Academy (1970-1973), Commanding
Officer, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, North Island, California (1973-1976), and
Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines (1983-1985).

Krulak's staff assignments included: Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines (1977-
1978); Chief of the Combat Arms Monitor Section, Headquarters Marine Corps,
Washington, DC (1978-1979); Executive Assistant to the Director of Personnel
Management, Headquarters Marine Corps (1979-1981); Plans Office, Fleet Marine
Forces Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii (1982-1983); Executive Officer, 3d Marines,
1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Assistant Chief of Staff, Maritime Pre-positioning
Ships, 1st MEB; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, 1st MEB; and the Military
Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications
and Intelligence, Office of the Secretary of Defense.
He was assigned duty as the Deputy Director of the White House Military Office in
September 1987. While serving in this capacity, he was selected for promotion to
brigadier general in November 1988. He was advanced to that grade on June 5, 1989, and
assigned duties as the Commanding General, 10th MEB/Assistant Division Commander,
2d Marine Division, FMF Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on July 10, 1989. On
June 1, 1990, he assumed duties as the Commanding General, 2d Force Service Support
Group/Commanding General, 6th MEB, FMF Atlantic and commanded the 2d FSSG
during the Gulf War. He served in this capacity until July 12, 1991, and was assigned
duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (Personnel
Management/Personnel Procurement), Headquarters Marine Corps on August 5, 1991.

He was advanced to major general on March 20, 1992. General Krulak was assigned as
Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, on
August 24, 1992, and was promoted to lieutenant general on September 1, 1992. On July
22, 1994, he was assigned as Commander of Marine Forces Pacific/Commanding
General, FMF Pacific, and in March 1995 he was nominated to serve as the Commandant
of the Marine Corps. On June 29, he was promoted to General and assumed duties as the
31st Commandant on June 30, 1995. He was relieved on June 30, 1999, by General
James L. Jones.

Later in his career he worked for credit card company MBNA.

Decorations and medals
General Krulak's decorations and medals included: the Defense Distinguished Service
Medal; Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Bronze Star Medal with Valor device
and two gold stars; Purple Heart with gold star; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy
Commendation Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation with bronze
star; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Vietnam Service Medal with
silver star and two bronze stars; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars;
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with Palm); Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions
Unit Citation; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation
Medal.

Family
General Krulak is married to the former Zandi Meyers from Annapolis. They have two
sons, David and Todd.
                             Birthday Message From
                       The Commandant Of The Marine Corps

                                     10 November 1998

Two hundred and twenty-three years ago, the second Continental Congress created a
Corps of Marines to defend the American colonies and to fight for the rich blessings of
liberty and democracy. Since that day, Marines have protected the cherished ideals of our
Founding Fathers and defended our Nation's interests around the globe. In their blood,
they have authored our Corps' glorious history and punctuated it with legendary tales of
honor, courage, and commitment -- with our Touchstones of Valor.

Today, as we reflect upon these Touchstones, we stand in awe of the invincible will and
selflessness of the men and women who defined the very character of our Corps. We are
steeled by the courageous Marines who attacked across wheat fields and into the cauldron
of Belleau Wood. We are emboldened by the brave Marines of Iwo Jima -- where
"Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue." We are strengthened by the fierce
determination of the Marines who fought through seven enemy divisions and the misery
of frostbite, placing the Chosin Reservoir among the most honored American battles. We
are inspired by the tenacious Marines who endured weeks of savage street fighting to
reclaim Hue City. We are humbled by the Marines who have served anonymously
throughout our history...their fortitude and sacrifice known only to their closest comrades
and their God. These valiant Marines have defined the Corps' enduring ethos, and, on this
hallowed day, we renew our commitment to the standard they so dearly loved.

Through the long march of history, few military organizations have been held to such
high esteem as the United States Marine Corps. Marines epitomize America's greatest
demands for her warriors and loftiest aspirations for her citizens. As we reflect upon out
past and fortify ourselves for the future, we also commemorate the character of today's
Marines...the men and women who keep faith with our Corps' timeless spirit through
their dedicated service. This is ultimately your day Marines -- celebrate with pride!
Happy Birthday, Marines. God bless you, and
                            Ethics/Values/Leadership
                                 General Charles C. Krulak

We study and we discuss ethical principles because it serves to strengthen and validate
our own inner value system ... It gives direction to what I call our moral compass. It is the
understanding of ethics that becomes the foundation upon which we can deliberately
commit to inviolate principles. It becomes the basis of what we are ... Of what we include
in our character.

Based on it, we commit to doing what is right. We expect such commitment from our
leaders. But most importantly, we must demand it of ourselves.

Sound morals and ethical behavior cannot be established or created in a day ... a semester
... or a year. They must be institutionalized within our character over time ... they must
become a way of life. They go beyond our individual services and beyond our ranks or
positions; they cut to the heart and to the soul of who we are and what we are and what
we must be ... men and women of character. They arm us for the challenges to come and
they impart to us a sense of wholeness. They unite us in the calling we now know as the
profession of arms.

Of all the moral and ethical guideposts that we have been brought up to recognize, the
one that, for me, stands above the rest ... the one that I have kept in the forefront of my
mind ... is integrity. It is my ethical and personal touchstone.

Integrity as we know it today, stands for soundness of moral principle and character -
uprightness - honesty. Yet there is more. Integrity is also an ideal ... A goal to strive for ...
And for a man or woman to "walk in their integrity" is to require constant discipline and
usage. The word integrity itself is a martial word that comes to us from an ancient Roman
Army tradition.

During the time of the 12 Caesars, the roman army would conduct morning inspections.
As the inspecting centurion would come in front of each legionnaire, the soldier would
strike with his right fist the armor breastplate that covered his heart. The armor had to be
strongest there in order to protect the heart from the sword thrusts and from arrow strikes.
As the soldier struck his armor, he would shout "Integritas", (In-teg-ri-tas) which in Latin
means material wholeness, completeness, and entirety. The inspecting centurion would
listen closely for this affirmation and also for the ring that well kept armor would give
off. Satisfied that the armor was sound and that the soldier beneath it was protected, he
would then move on to the next man.

At about the same time, the Praetorians or imperial bodyguard were ascending into power
and influence. Drawn from the best "politically correct" soldiers of the legions, they
received the finest equipment and armor. They no longer had to shout "Integritas" (In-
teg-ri-tas) to signify that their armor was sound. Instead, as they struck their breastplate,
they would shout "hail Caesar", to signify that their heart belonged to the imperial
personage - not to their unit - not to an institution - not to a code of ideals. They armored
themselves to serve the cause of a single man.

A century passed and the rift between the legion and the imperial bodyguard and its
excesses grew larger. To signify the difference between the two organizations, the
legionnaire, upon striking his armor would no longer shout "Integritas", (In-teg-ri-tas) but
instead would shout "integer" (in-te-ger).

Integer (in-te-ger) means undiminished - complete - perfect. It not only indicated that the
armor was sound, it also indicated that the soldier wearing the armor was sound of
character. He was complete in his integrity ... his heart was in the right place ... his
standards and morals were high.

He was not associated with the immoral conduct that was rapidly becoming the signature
of the praetorian guards.

The armor of integrity continued to serve the legion well. For over four centuries they
held the line against the marauding Goths and Vandals but by 383 AD, the social decline
that infected the republic and the praetorian guard had its effects upon the legion.

As a 4th Century Roman general wrote, "When, because of negligence and laziness,
parade ground drills were abandoned, the customary armor began to feel heavy since the
soldiers rarely, if ever, wore it. Therefore, they first asked the emperor to set aside the
breastplates and mail and then the helmets. So our soldiers fought the Goths without any
protection for the heart and head and were often beaten by archers. Although there were
many disasters, which led to the loss of great cities, no one tried to restore the armor to
the infantry. They took their armor off, and when the armor came off - so too came their
integrity." it was only a matter of a few years until the legion rotted from within and was
unable to hold the frontiers ... The barbarians were at the gates.

Integrity ... It is a combination of the words, "Integritas" (In-teg-ri-tas)and "integer" (in-
te-ger). It refers to the putting on of armor, of building a completeness ... a wholeness ... a
wholeness in character. How appropriate that the word integrity is a derivative of two
words describing the character of a member of the profession of arms.

The military has a tradition of producing great leaders that possess the highest ethical
standards and integrity. It produces men and women of character ... Character that allows
them to deal ethically with the challenges of today and to make conscious decisions about
how they will approach tomorrow. However, as I mentioned earlier, this is not done
instantly. It requires that integrity becomes a way of life ... It must be woven into the very
fabric of our soul. Just as was true in the days of imperial Rome, you either walk in your
integrity daily, or you take off the armor of the "Integer" (In-te-ger) and leave your heart
and soul exposed ... open to attack.

My challenge to you is simple but often very difficult ... Wear your armor of integrity ...
Take full measure of its weight ... find comfort in its protection ... do not become lax.
And always, always, remember that no one can take your integrity from you ... you and
only you can give it away!

The Biblical book of practical ethics - better known as the book of Proverbs - sums it up
very nicely:

          "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness
                 of transgressors shall destroy them". (Proverbs 11:3)
                            A Farewell to the Corps
                                General Charles C. Krulak

From my earliest days, I was always awed by the character of the Marine Corps, by the
passion and love that inspired the sacrifices of Marines like my father and his friends. As
a young boy, I admired the warriors and thinkers who joined our family for a meal or a
visit ... Marines like "Howlin' Mad" Smith, Lemuel C. Shepherd, Gerald C. Thomas, and
Keith B. McCutcheon. I wondered about the source of their pride, their selflessness, and
their sense of purpose. Now, at the twilight of my career, I understand those Marines. I
know that they were driven by love for the institution to which they had dedicated their
lives and by the awesome responsibility they felt to the Marines who shared their
devotion and sacrifice. Today, that same motivation burns deep within the heart of each
of us. The ethos of our Corps, purchased so dearly by these heroes of old, reaches into
our souls and challenges us to strive tirelessly for excellence in all that we do. It
profoundly influences the actions of every Marine that has ever stood on the yellow
footprints at our Recruit Depots or taken the oath as an Officer of Marines.

The ethos of our Corps is that of the warrior. It is defined by two simple qualities ... our
two Touchstones. The first is our Touchstone of Valor. When we are summoned to battle,
we don our helmets and flak jackets; we march to the sound of the guns; we fight and we
win - Guaranteed. The second is our Touchstone of Values. We hold ourselves and our
institution to the highest standards ... to our core values of Honor, Courage, and
Commitment. These two Touchstones are inextricably and forever linked. They form the
bedrock of our success and, indeed, of our very existence.

Our Touchstone of Valor is the honor roll of our Corps' history. Bladensburg, Bull Run,
Cuzco Well, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Inchon, the Chosin
Reservoir, Hue City, Kuwait ... the blood and sacrifice of Marines in these battles, and
countless others, have been commemorated in gilded script and etched forever on the
black granite base of the Marine Corps War Memorial. The names of these places now
serve as constant reminders of our sacred responsibility to our Nation and to those whose
sacrifices have earned the Marine Corps a place among the most honored of military
organizations. The memory of the Marines who fought in these battles lives in us and in
the core values of our precious Corps.

To Marines, Honor, Courage, and Commitment are not simply words or a bumper sticker
slogan. They reflect our deepest convictions and dramatically shape everything that we
do. They are central to our efforts to "Make Marines," men and women of character who
can be entrusted to safeguard our Nation and its ideals in the most demanding of
environments. We imbue Marines with our core values from their first moments in our
Corps because we know that Marines, not weapons, win battles. We also know that
success on the battlefield and the support of the citizens whose interests we represent
depend on our ability to make moral and ethical decisions under the extreme stress of
combat ... or in the conduct of our daily lives.

As an institution, we have had to fight hard to maintain our standards. To some, they may
seem old-fashioned, out-of-step with society, or perhaps even "extremist," but we know
that our high standards are the lifeblood of the Corps, so we have held the line! In this
regard, what individual Marines are doing everyday counts far more than anything that is
done in Washington. The standards of our Corps are not simply maintained by generals,
colonels, and sergeants major, but, far more importantly, by leaders throughout the
Corps, at every level. The Marine conviction that Semper Fidelis is a way of life, not just
a motto, speaks powerfully to the citizens that we serve. It also unites us with our fellow
Marines, past and present - inspiring us to push harder, to reach further, and to reject the
very notion of failure or compromise.

Sustained and strengthened by the ethos of our Corps, you have accomplished a great
deal during the past four years. I have been humbled to be part of your achievements and
witness to your selfless devotion. Time and again, Marines distinguished themselves in
contingencies around the world, across the spectrum of conflict. Marines from across the
Total Force were the first to fight, the first to help, and the first to show America's flag --
consistently demonstrating our resolve and readiness to win when called to action. With
the involvement of the Fleet Marine Force and input from the entire Corps, the
Warfighting Laboratory has looked hard at the 21st Century strategic environment.
Marines "stole a march" on change by testing new concepts and emerging technologies,
exploring new tools for developing leaders and decision makers, and experimenting in
the "Three Block War." Our recruiters, drill instructors, and small-unit leaders have
implemented the Transformation Process and are recruiting, training, and developing the
"Strategic Corporals" for tomorrow's conflicts. Led by Marines at the Combat
Development Command, we have deepened our understanding of Operational Maneuver
From The Sea (OMFTS), its enabling concepts and technologies, as well as its many
challenges. The men and women serving in the many thankless billets at Headquarters
Marine Corps and in the joint arena have developed and articulated our requirements for
the future and have secured the resources to translate OMFTS into a reality. Our
supporting establishment, at every post and station, has epitomized selflessness and
dedication while providing for our readiness requirements. All these things are important
- and they are the accomplishments of every Marine. None of them, however, are as
significant as maintaining our hands on the twin Touchstones of our Corps.

The words of my father ring as true today as when he first wrote them over fifty years
ago. "We exist today -- we flourish today -- not because of what we know we are, or what
we know we can do, but because of what the grassroots of our country believes we are
and believes we can do ... The American people believe that Marines are downright good
for the country; that the Marines are masters of a form of unfailing alchemy which
converts unoriented youths into proud, self-reliant stable citizens - citizens into whose
hands the nation's affairs may safely be entrusted ... And, likewise, should the people ever
lose that conviction - as a result of our failure to meet their high - almost spiritual -
standards, the Marine Corps will quickly disappear."

May God bless each and every one of you and may God bless our Corps!

Semper Fi!



                          Gen. Charles C. Krulak, Leatherneck Magazine, June 1999