Marine Corps Leadership Basics for Business – Elite Basic Training, Part 3

In my last post I spoke about techniques three and four that the Marine Corps uses to train their Marines.  In this post I would like to share the final two methods.

5. The Corps heavily invests in cross training. Unique to Marine Corps basic training is its emphasis on exposing each recruit to scenarios they may never encounter and weapons they may never fire again.  This cross training allows the Marine to be more agile.  Organizations should cross train their new hires as well.  This will provide management with flexibility in managing their workforce to get a job done.  It is also great for the employees too because it helps them learn new skills, increasing their value to the firm.

6. Like the Marines, make your employees go through “Basic Training”. Each Marine share one essential experience – boot camp.  They had to endure the most rigorous basic training in the world.  This very demanding triumph bonds all Marines forever.  A shared experience among employees, if sufficiently inspiring, can create a similar sense of mutual respect.  Your new hire training should be challenging too – with assignments, tasks and role plays – to bring out the best in each student.

In my next blog begin discussion on how the Marine Corps develops their NCO Marines and how this practice could benefit your organization.  If you would like to speak with us about creating a topnotch leadership-driven company culture or have a business question or issues you would like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to us via our website Contact page.

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Marine Corps Leadership Basics for Business – Elite Basic Training, Part 2
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Marine Corps Leadership Basics for Business – Front-line Managers, Part 1