Marine Leader Development

 

​About MLD


Marine Leader Development (MLD) is a comprehensive approach to leadership development that seeks to foster development of all aspects of Marines’ personal and professional lives. It is neither a philosophy nor a program; rather, it is a framework to be used by Marines at all levels for themselves and subordinates. This framework is the six Functional Areas of Leadership Development: Fidelity, Fighter, Fitness, Family, Finance, and Future. By addressing each of these individual areas, MLD seeks to ensure the development of Marines – and thus a Corps – that is cohesive, tactically and technically proficient, guided by moral purpose, and able to execute the toughest challenges. MLD will be implemented in all Marine Corps commands, and will supersede the Marine Corps Mentoring Program (MCMP).

 

 

 

Leader Development Resources


Content in the Marine Leader Development Resource pages provide commanders and leaders practical tools and resources to assist in developing our Marines and Sailors personally and professionally through coaching, counseling, and mentoring, thereby sustaining the transformation.

 

 

 


“Fidelity” is faithfulness to one another, our Corps, and the Nation. It is expressed through our motto, “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “Always Faithful,” as well as our Core Values and Leadership Traits and Principles. The Fidelity resource page contains information on our heritage, Core Values, ethics, and Marine Corps Leadership Traits and Principles.		 “Fighter” refers to the cumulative skill-sets and knowledge that make Marines well-rounded warriors. The Fighter resource page contains information on Professional Military Education (PME), Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)/Navy Enlisted Code (NEC)/ Navy Officer Billet Classification (NOBC), interpersonal communication skills, and on and off-duty education
“Fitness” is a holistic approach to physical, mental, spiritual, and social fitness. Truly “fit” Marines have far more than just high Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT) scores. Ensuring holistic wellbeing boosts morale, cohesiveness, and resiliency – enabling Marines to execute the toughest challenges and recuperate in shorter time. The Fitness section contains information and practices to aid Marines in promoting, sustaining, and restoring fitness.
“Family” refers to the bedrock, fundamental social relationships from which Marines draw strength, and cumulatively make a stronger Corps. The challenges of military life require families to be resilient like the Marines they support. The Family resource page contains information on maintaining and strengthening family relationships, from marriage, parenting, and family readiness. “Finance” refers to the disciplined practices of personal, financial responsibility. Marines and Sailors who pursue financial responsibility mitigate stress and are better prepared for deployments, family changes, and transition to civilian life. The Finance resource page addresses fundamentals of personal finance to include budgeting, saving, debt-management and investing.
“Future” refers to the practice of setting and accomplishing goals in all of the other five functional areas of leadership development. Goal-setting maximizes the likelihood of personal and professional success, which carries through to civilian life. The Future resource page contains information on goal-setting, time management, and transitioning back to civilian life.