A thoughtful article posted in the Public Diplomacy Council website in December points out that there is much the U.S. State Department could learn from the Marine Corps about professional education, accommodating dissent, and basic leadership.
A thoughtful article posted in the Public Diplomacy Council website in December points out that there is much the U.S. State Department could learn from the Marine Corps about professional education, accommodating dissent, and basic leadership.
A thoughtful article posted in the Public Diplomacy Council website in December points out that there is much the U.S. State Department could learn from the Marine Corps about professional education, accommodating dissent, and basic leadership. Veteran Foreign Service Officer and writer, Don Bishop, who served as the State Department Policy Advisor to Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway from 2006-2008 cites as examples The Basic School where Marine Lieutenants focus on decision making; the Center for Advance Operational Cultural Learning where they learn how to interact with people from vastly different cultures and Marine Corps Command and Staff College’s focus on planning national power element integration. He contends that the State Department has no effective, organizational equivalent for “…expanding the academic self” like the Marine Corps does.
Expanding on the theme of generating thought in a professional culture prepared to accommodate diverging views, Bishop singles out Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of the Marine Corps, published by the Marine Corps Association & Foundation as an example the State Department could emulate to advantage. He states “The Marine Corps cultivates professional debate and even dissent, using the Marine Corps Gazette as a vehicle for the expression of opinion and new ideas. It so values contention over ideas, responsibly stated, that contributors to that journal are honored even when junior opinions make senior eyes roll, or when opinions are strongly contrary. State Department culture, by comparison is more constrained. His complete article is posted HERE.
Published monthly since 1916, Marine Corps Gazette invites free exchange of ideas on subjects of professional interest to Marines and enables them to stay current on the issues that affect the Corps. The magazine features a an easily navigable website that includes vastly expanded content over the print editions, enhanced features made possible by the power of the web searchable archives of all editions and interactive features that allow readers to comment on every article. Further to the goal of promoting thought and the free exchange of ideas, the Marine Corps Gazette holds annual essay contests with the express purpose of generating innovative thinking and challenging conventional wisdom.
The Marine Corps Association & Foundation is the professional association for all Marines and was founded in 1916 with the purpose of disseminating knowledge of military art and science and promoting opportunities for professional development among Marines. Marine Corps Gazette is a key vehicle for pursuing this vital organizational mission.
For more information, visit the the Marine Corps Gazette website at www.mca-marines.org/gazette.