MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines pride themselves on many things but among the most important is their physical fitness and military appearance.
After General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and SgtMaj. Carlton W. Kent, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps visited numerous Marine Corps installations around the world, they concluded that the Corps is falling short in upholding the high standards of physical fitness and appearance that is expected from the nation’s most elite fighting force.
In an effort to get the Corps back on its feet, the Commandant has instructed the Inspector General of the Marine Corps to provide him with an analysis of the Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Programs across the Corps by Aug. 1, so that he may review the information for further guidance.
According to Marine Corps Order 6110.3, in order to ensure Marines are in observance with the body composition and military appearance standards the MCBCMAP has been implemented to help uphold the Corps’ standards. The mission of the MCBCMAP is to observe and assess the appearance of Marines while providing physical conditioning guidance in order to improve their combat readiness.
“It’s vital that the Marine Corps has a (Body Composition Program),” said Master Sgt. Eric M. Alston, operations and training chief, Headquarters Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “It’s every Marine’s responsibility to be ready to go into combat at all times, because we can all be called to the fight.”
Marines who fail to comply with the Corps’ policies and standards of appearance may face administrative actions that can prevent them from being promoted and keep them from participating in particular assignments.
“It makes perfect sense to deny those who fail to maintain proper body composition a promotion or to let them deploy,” said Lance Cpl. Ricardo Uriarte, a Marine who recently attended the BCP. “If you’re not ready to lead Marines into combat then you aren’t meant to lead them anywhere else, we are the best and so we have to look the best.”
In All Marine Message 033/08, written by former Commandant James T. Conway he states, tendencies toward increased weight have become a dangerous trend of over the last decade in our American society. But Marines are different. Even during a period of conflict, Marines should always hold themselves to a higher standard and must continuously maintain it to ensure the American people that the Marines are always ready.