The Program

67Determining Our “Why”

AS INDIVIDUALS, IT is incredibly important to figure out what drives us. We need to find out, as Simon Sinek famously wrote, what our “why” is. Why do we wake up in the morning? Why do we do what we do? We enjoy Simon’s books and are big fans of Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. We just don’t necessarily agree with its initial premise, as we have highlighted here in this book. Instead, we must start with who. We must ensure that the people in our organizations share our Core Values. Combined with talent, they form the foundation of a world-class culture. Once that has been established though, the why is powerful and of vital importance.

The FET is a wonderful reflection of this. Although both often occur, the Marine Corps does not entice or recruit its members with promises of their receiving a college education or an opportunity to see the world. Instead, the Marine Corps states that their Core Values are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. They define each and have incredibly high standards to reinforce each daily. The Marine Corps’ mission, their why, is to defend the people of the United States at home and abroad, to fight our nation’s battles swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis.

Although the Marine Corps does not promise a college education or an opportunity to see the world, it does promise its members a what if the recruit shares the who and the why of the Marine Corps (and can graduate from Officer Candidate ...