Leadership Traits & Principles

This page outlines the 15 updated leadership traits used by the Marine Corps (now including Empathy) and the core leadership principles that guide how cadets lead others. Content adapted from official Marine Corps materials.

15 Leadership Traits

Mnemonic: JJ DID TIE BUCKLE-E
This represents the fifteen leadership traits of the United States Marine Corps and MCJROTC leaders. The added “E” stands for Empathy.

Justice — Being fair and impartial.
Judgment — Using facts and reasoning to make sound decisions.
Dependability — Completing tasks thoroughly and reliably.
Initiative — Seeing what needs to be done and acting without being told.
Decisiveness — Making timely, well-considered decisions.
Tact — Dealing with others diplomatically and without offense.
Integrity — Upholding honesty, ethics, and moral strength.
Enthusiasm — Showing sincere interest and energetic participation.
Bearing — Maintaining a professional appearance and behavior.
Unselfishness — Placing the welfare of others before your own.
Courage — Facing fear, danger, or criticism with resolve.
Knowledge — Gaining and applying information, understanding, and skills.
Loyalty — Remaining faithful to country, unit, and teammates.
Empathy — Understanding and caring for others’ perspectives and challenges.
Endurance — Mental and physical strength to persevere through adversity.

Leadership Principles

The following principles guide how leaders apply the traits and lead their units:

Know Yourself & Seek Self-Improvement — Use the traits to identify strengths and weaknesses and grow.
Be Technically & Tactically Proficient — Know your duties, systems, and tools; lead by competence.
Know Your People & Look Out for Their Welfare — Understand your cadets, help them grow, and build trust.
Keep Your People Informed — Communicate clearly and prevent misunderstandings.
Set the Example — Demonstrate the traits in your actions—cadets learn from what you do.
Ensure the Task Is Understood, Supervised & Accomplished — Clarify expectations, monitor progress, and confirm completion.
Train as a Team — Build cohesion, delegate roles, and encourage cooperation.
Make Sound & Timely Decisions — Apply judgment and facts to choose wisely under pressure.
Develop a Sense of Responsibility Among Subordinates — Empower cadets to lead and own their outcomes.
Employ Your Command in Accordance with Its Capabilities — Use resources efficiently and plan realistically.
Seek Responsibility & Take Responsibility for Your Actions — Be proactive, accountable, and resilient.

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