October 14, 2022
Marine Corps Times
(marinecorpstimes.com)
Opinion
The Unintended Consequences of Marine Corps Talent Management 2030
By Colonel Warren Parker
Marines always have had their own identity ― an “eternal spirit” according to Gen. John Lejeune ― that animates our Corps. The unintended consequences of Talent Management 2030 could kill that “eternal spirit” and strip Marines of their distinctive identity . . . .
. . . Talent Management 2030′s numerous references to Army and Air Force programs, and academic trends should give us pause.
. . . More than 60 years ago, [LtGen Victor] Krulak outlined a concept of leadership that is as applicable today as it was then, writing that there is within the Marine Corps an “inspirational personal relationship among our officers and rank and file ― a relationship quite different than that found in the other services and one which heretofore has distinguished our Corps.”
If that is “industrial age” leadership, then we need more of it, not less . . . .
. . . Our most precious asset is our Marines. We risk everything if we adopt talent management models unsuited for our culture of fighting and winning “in every clime and place.”
Col. Warren Parker was an infantry officer while on active duty, who served in a variety of operational commands as well as recruiting and manpower.