U.S. Marine Corps to hold workshop with Semper Fi Society about leadership principles, values
By Tzu-Shyang Lin
Feb. 2, 2010 11:00 p.m.
They defend us. They fight our battles and wars. Now they are on campus to share the principles and the elements of leadership they employ across the globe.
In cooperation with the UCLA Semper Fi Society that was formed fall quarter, the United States Marine Corps is holding a leadership workshop in Ackerman Union today to teach students how to see themselves as future leaders in both the private and the public sectors.
The workshop will provide points of discussion and leadership experiences from officers to help students reflect on their leadership roles in all areas of civilian life.
“We recognize that everyone is a leader in their own spheres of influence,” said Capt. Heather Ichord, selection officer at UCLA. “There are times in our lives when we need to jump to the front and taking initiative when the time is right, that’s leadership.”
Students should recognize that they can make a difference individually and in small groups by being a leader, Ichord said. The workshop will teach values taught at Officer Candidate School and will explore the leadership skills of former Marines who now hold prominent positions in corporations as well as government departments.
For instance, the NASA director, Charles Bolden, is a former U.S. Marine Corps major general, and the founder and executive chairman of FedEx, Frederick W. Smith, served as an officer in the Marine Corps for four years.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity to meet fellow leaders in different majors and areas of study and different future professions.
“We have 14 leadership traits and 11 principles (the Marines) hold to,” Ichord said. “But the hallmark is integrity. We need ethical leaders.”
The Marine Corps expects much from its officers and marines at a very young age, Ichord said. The responsibilities of leadership given to a 22-year-old lieutenant are unlike those given to people the same age working in corporations. They are put in charge of the safety and operation of a platoon consisting of 30 to 40 Marines who are between 17 and 19 years old.
Sean Rhodes, president of the Semper Fi Society and a fourth-year economics student, attended the 10-week Officer Candidate School last summer, which screened, trained and evaluated potential Marines officers in Virginia. Upon returning to UCLA, he created the Semper Fi Society to help students who are preparing to join the Marines after obtaining their college diploma.
Semper Fi is Latin for “always faithful” and has been the motto for the United States Marine Corps since 1883.
“I would like to ask (the officers) what is the best aspect about being leaders,” said Jacob Quan, a fourth-year political science student who is considering joining the military. “It would be a lot different from the civilian world, and insight into the military world would be fascinating.”
A panel of officers will be available to answer questions from students.
“It is the greatest job, to lead and serve the young Marines, the pride of the nation,” Ichord said. “If we can have these students feel that for a day, it’s worth it. (The Marines) is not for everyone, but we do need folks to lead in communities.”
