Know Your Marines and Look Out for Their Welfare:

     This is one of the most important of the principles.  You should know your Marines and how they react to different situations.  This knowledge can save lives.  A Marine who is nervous and lacks self-confidence should never be put in a situation where an important, instant decision must be made.  Knowledge of your Marine's personalities will enable you, as the NCO, to decide how to best handle each Marine and determine when close supervision is needed.  All Marines deserve the same treatment when it comes to certain matters of welfare.  A "problem" Marine has the same right to go to sickbay as a hard-charging Marine.  Although it might be his fault that he is a "problem" Marine, it is not his fault that he is sick.  If you show him the same concern that you show to your better Marines, you will earn his loyalty and respect.  To put this principle into practice successfully, you should:

• Put your Marines' welfare before your own.

• See the members of your unit and let them see you be approachable.

• Get to know and understand the Marines under your command.

• Concern yourself with the living conditions of the members of your unit.

• Help your Marines get needed support from available personal services.

• Protect the health of your unit by active supervision of hygiene and sanitation.

• Determine what your unit's mental attitude is.

• Ensure fair and equal distribution of rewards.

• Encourage individual development.

• Provide sufficient recreational time and insist on participation.

• Share the hardships of your Marines so you can better understand their reactions.

• Whenever possible, praise your Marines in public, but critique them in private.

REFERENCE:  Marine Corps Values and Leadership User's Guide for Discussion Leaders