The Essay

Paying attention to detail is very important. Attention to detail is one of the most important aspects of a good Marine and a good leader The smallest of details are often the ones that can threaten the success of a mission, and can mean the difference between life and death. Civilians can happily go about their lives, blindly, with no worries about the small details of life that we as marines have been trained to observe. The United States Marines is an established institution with a history that goes back to November 10th 1775, and some of the greatest military minds have developed the very practices and traditions that are still in use today. Every aspect has been considered and every situation has been taken into account. Because of this, Marine regulations are precise so that we can survive situations that can and will be encountered in the field. It is especially relevant during combat scenarios , where saying one wrong digit in a string of coordinates can mean that a soldier won’t receive medical attention in time, or an air strike accidentally kills a large amount of innocent civilians. In the civilian world, many professions have the luxury of not needing The precise attention to detail that we need. As future Marine leaders though, we have an immense obligation to ensure the safety and well being of Marines we get put in charge of and our brothers to the left and right of us and this always starts with attention to detail, because we deal in life and death missions on a day to day basis. Attention to detail can and should encompass everything that I do, as preparation is necessary for survival out in the field. Its good to bring canteens, but they are useless if you don’t take the time to check if they are full. A loose strap on your pack could mean you being a hindrance to the rest of the group slowing everyone down. Or it could fail you when you need it the most and as a result end up getting your peers killed. I failed to pay attention to detail