combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.

In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a

cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.

Leadership Primary and Secondary

Objectives
In the MCJROTC program,
these same objectives apply. You are
expected to accomplish assigned
PURPOSE missions and to take care of the
cadets under your leadership.
This lesson will explain to you the primary and
secondary objectives of leadership as defined
DID YOU KNOW?
by the Marine Corps.

President Harry S. Truman kept

a plaque on his desk with the
Introduction inscription “The buck stops here.”
The primary objective of Truman was one of America’s most
leadership is mission honest and ethical presidents. He
accomplishment. Mission never flinched from accepting
accomplish-ment is achieving your
goal. Achieving your goal is your
primary focus when asked to take on
a task. The secondary goal of
leadership is troop welfare. The
welfare of your troops should always
be a consideration for you as a leader.
Both objectives go hand and hand in
accomplishing any task.

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 combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
Accomplishing your primary and instructor expects you to carry out
secondary objectives develops properly. Examples include: executing
leadership. drill movements properly, or
completing your assignments in a
timely fashion. It is your
Mission responsibility to accomplish these
Accomplishment tasks.
Mission accomplishment means
that you must know your job and do it
well. You must know how to control
and employ your unit under varied
conditions. In military situations,
leaders must be skilled in military
sciences and in the use of weapons.
Military leaders must ensure their
troops know the basics: care and use
of weapons and equipment; Troop Welfare
camouflage, fire and maneuver; cover The secondary objective of
and concealment; preparation of leadership is troop welfare. Marine
fighting positions; use of supporting leaders must know their Marines and
arms, land navigation, discipline, take care of them. They must learn all
hand to hand combat; and other they can about each Marine in their
essentials on how to fight, survive and unit: their background, their
win. problems, their strong and weak
In MCJROTC, mission points, their military skills, their
accomplishment is also your primary endurance, and their courage. This
objective. As a cadet you are given knowledge will help predict and
many different tasks that your influence their actions. It enables the

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 combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
Marine leader to make the most of
each Marine’s ability.
Case Study
Leaders must put the needs of You are a newly promoted
their troops before their own needs. sergeant and the platoon leader just
They must instill a feeling of made you a squad leader. During
camaraderie and team spirit in their your initial encounter with the
troops and a sense of trust in the members of your squad, you sense
leader. some resentment toward you as their
In MCJROTC, the welfare of the “new” leader. The squad leader you
cadets is of no less importance. In replaced was popular with them, but
order to be at their best, cadets must the platoon leader relieved him for
know that their leader is concerned failure to motivate the squad to
about their welfare. Leaders, at every achieve standards.
level, must make an effort to get to Your first assignment as squad
know the cadets they lead. No cadet leader is to fold the U.S. flag at a
is exempt. The leader must set the ceremony. While you are meeting
example and in doing so, will earn the briefly with the platoon sergeant, your
trust and respect of their cadets. squad departs for the football field to
prepare for a rehearsal. During the
meeting, the platoon sergeant tells
BE a leader of character. you who in your squad has been on
Embrace the values and these details before.
demonstrate the leader attributes. As you approach the
Study and practice so that you will field, you see your squad relaxing.
have the skills to KNOW your job. Instead of going straight into a
Then act, DO what is right to rehearsal, you decide to have a few

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 combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
knowledgeable people demonstrate the cohesion, discipline, and the
how to fold the flag. respect these people will have for you.
You state to the squad that you Case Study Options
are going to conduct a demonstration
and for them to move into a circle. After identifying this challenge
They don’t move. You walk up to PFC as one of how to take immediate
Hart, whom the platoon sergeant said action to gain control and maintain
knows how to fold the flag, and he discipline while earning the long-term
gives you a challenging stare as if to respect of your subordinates, you
say, “I don’t want to be a consider the following alternatives:
demonstrator.” You ask him to come
forward and take the flag. He says  Reprimand PFC Hart in front of
something disrespectful and still the squad, informing him that you
doesn’t move. will recommend him for an
This action infuriates you, but instructor’s reprimand for his
you control your emotions and remain insubordination. If he continues to
calm. Your mind swiftly goes to work disobey, you will recommend that
on the situation. This subordinate has he be demoted.
challenged your authority and put you  Stand directly in front of PFC Hart,
in a difficult position. He has given look him in the eye, and order him
you a major disciplinary problem – to stand up and take the flag from
disrespect and insubordination – you.
before you have even had the
opportunity to get to know your squad
members and the informal norms of
the squad. The way you handle this
situation will have a major impact on

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 combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
If you take the second course of
action, you would not be
reprimanding PFC Hart in front of
others – you could do that later in
private. You would show your squad
that you do not back down from a
challenge, and that you do not resort
to threats in order to maintain
discipline. Remember, you could still
recommend punishment that you
believe is appropriate later depending
on PFC Hart’s actions. The
disadvantages are that you would not
You quickly weigh the
be immediately asserting yourself as
advantages and disadvantages of each
the unquestioned authority, and that
course of action.
some of your subordinates might
If you take the first course of think they could get away with
action, you come across as decisive disrespectful and insubordinate
and strong and you immediately behavior.
assert yourself as the authority. The
You quickly think through the
disadvantage is that it is normally
actions you could take, including the
unprofessional to reprimand someone
use of possible contingencies. If you
in front of others. In addition, it is
order PFC Hart to stand and take the
never wise to tell a subordinate
flag and he does, continue with the
exactly what punishment you would
demonstration; then order him and
recommend until you have had a
his team leader to meet you
chance to think the situation through
immediately after the rehearsal. If he
and discuss it with your seniors.
refuses, inform him: (1) that he is

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 combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.combat; and other essentials on how to fight, survive and win.
In MCJROTC, mission accomplishment is also your primary objective. As a
cadet you are given many different tasks that your instructor expects you to carry
out properly. Examples include: executing drill movements properly, or completing
your assignments in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to accomplish these
tasks.
being insubordinate and give him leader, counseled him, and
another order, and (2) by refusing recommended him for additional
your order, he will have committed punishment.
two serious offenses. If he still
Conclusion
refuses, immediately send for the
platoon sergeant or platoon leader As MCJROTC cadets, it is
while you select other squad members important that you know and
to do the demonstration. This plan understand the primary and
prepares you for possible secondary objectives of leadership.
contingencies if he finally obeys you These objectives are key to effective
or if he continues to disobey. leadership. Remember, you must
accomplish your mission, but in doing
Depending on what PFC Hart so, you must also ensure that you are
does, take action in terms of your plan taking care of the cadets whom you
or make appropriate changes. Also, lead. Understanding that good
observe the effect of your actions on judgment, and respect for your own
the manner and obedience of the subordinates as people, will make you
other squad members. Explain that an effective leader in the Marine
you will not tolerate insubordination Corps JROTC program. 
and disobedience, and that you will
always take suitable disciplinary
action against those offenses.
You decide on the second
course of action. Initially, some squad
members do think that PFC Hart got
away with his insubordination, but
they discover otherwise when they
find out that you sternly reprimanded
him in the presence of his team

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