1. General Anthony Zinni defines four qualities of Marine culture:

1. First identity as Marines is to be a Marine
2. Every Marine as to be a qualified rifleman.
3. We feel stronger about our traditions than any other service.
4. We carry a sense of responsibility for those who went before us, which ends up meaning a lot to Marines who are in combat.

Given the four qualities of Marine culture (pg 18), does our units reflect a similar culture and what can we do to improve our discipline and have Paratroopers take extreme ownership of their responsibilities?

2. Task Force Smith’s early defeats can be related to a lack in discipline. T.R Fehrenbach also remarks on discipline, “Discipline – the self restraint required not to break the sensible laws whether they be imposed against speeding or against removing an uncomfortably heavy steel helmet, the fear not to spend more money than one earns, not to drink from a canteen in combat before it is absolutely necessary, and to obey both parent and teacher and officer in certain situations, even when the orders are acutely unpleasant.” What can we do at the tactical level to influence a disciplined lifestyle in our Soldiers?