Bearing:

     Bearing is a Marine's general appearance, carriage, deportment, and conduct.  By your bearing you establish a standard for your peers, superiors, and subordinates.  Your appearance should show confidence, competence, alertness, and energy.  Your clothing and equipment should be neat and clean at all times.  Your voice and actions should be under control.  Few things can steady the morale of troops like a leader who, with full knowledge of the difficulties of a situation, neither looks nor acts worried.  When speaking to Marines, talk in short, plain sentences.  Never talk down to Marines nor allow sarcasm to enter the conversation.  Vulgar speech, frequent loss of temper, and irritable nature show a lack of self-confidence that subordinates easily see.  They react to lack of self-confidence with resentment or even insubordination. (Avoid criticizing an entire group of Marines for the failings of a few.  Those who didn't do anything wrong will resent it).  Your bearing should show dignity and control of both emotions and actions.  Dignity shows pride and confidence in yourself and the ability of the Marine.  Emotional control shows that any situation is well in hand.  To develop and improve bearing you should.

• Practice control over your voice, facial expression, and gestures.

• Demonstrate calmness, sincerity, and understanding.

• Master your emotions so that you control them and they do not control you.

• Speak simply and directly.

• Never reprimand subordinates in the presence of their subordinates.

• Observe and study leaders who enjoy a reputation for good bearing.

• Know and adhere to regulations concerning dress, grooming, and conduct.

• Demand the highest standards of yourself and subordinates.

• Avoid indiscriminate use of coarse behavior, profanity, and vulgarity.

EXAMPLES:

1. A Marine who wears a clean and pressed uniform, shined boots and brass, and keeps a trim, fit appearance.

2. A Marine who avoids using profane or vulgar language.

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