values with them back to their civilian communities, andour nation is stronger for it. This transformation, as timelessas the Corps itself, is our legacy to America.Our Corps’ survival depends upon the transformation.Young Marines enter our Corps today with as much spiritand enthusiasm as ever in our proud history. They carrywithin their hearts the burning embers of zeal and devotionthat were lit during their first meeting with a Marine (active,reserve, retired, or former) or during their first interviewwith a Marine recruiter or officer selection officer. Thisspirit builds during recruit training or at the Officer Candi-dates School, and it continues to grow during Marine com-bat training, infantry skills training, The Basic School, andmilitary occupational specialty training. Cohesion is care-fully fostered during each of these entry-level training expe-riences.Sometimes, this burning flame of enthusiasm reaches itscrescendo immediately following the entry-level trainingpipeline, only to dim during a Marine’s service with his orher first unit. Sustaining the transformation process ensuresthat the flame of enthusiasm does not wane, and it allowsthe Corps to capitalize on our most precious asset—the indi-vidual Marine.Our warfighting capability depends upon a lasting transfor-mation. Every Marine must possess the intellect, skill, andsolid moral foundation to fight in the increasingly chaoticbattlespace of the 21st century. The operational environ-ment of tomorrow—characterized by rapidly changing
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