WEBVTT 00:01.153 --> 00:03.217 - Marines, General Neller here. 00:03.217 --> 00:05.210 These last 18 months I spent a lot of time talking to you 00:05.210 --> 00:07.854 about how we as Marines must treat each other as members 00:07.854 --> 00:10.111 of this warfighting organization, 00:10.111 --> 00:12.194 with dignity and respect. 00:12.285 --> 00:15.813 I've spoken about the effort it takes to earn the title 00:15.813 --> 00:17.749 Marine and our families in the nation are proud 00:17.749 --> 00:20.848 of who we are and have high expectations of our 00:20.848 --> 00:22.697 professionalism and competence. 00:22.697 --> 00:25.097 That our Corps does not care where you come from, 00:25.097 --> 00:28.123 whether rich or poor, whether you're man or woman, 00:28.123 --> 00:29.734 what your sexual preference may be, 00:29.734 --> 00:32.047 only that you have the discipline, drive, and commitment 00:32.047 --> 00:33.547 to be a US Marine. 00:34.947 --> 00:37.086 That when we make the team we're all teammates, 00:37.086 --> 00:39.586 brothers and sisters, Marines. 00:39.992 --> 00:42.281 That we are seen by our fellow citizens as men and 00:42.281 --> 00:45.359 women of honor and virtue, possessing an unbreakable 00:45.359 --> 00:48.876 commitment to each other and to the nation. 00:48.876 --> 00:51.100 Unfortunately, it appears that some Marines may have 00:51.100 --> 00:53.336 forgotten these fundamental truths and instead 00:53.336 --> 00:56.146 have acted selfishly and unprofessionally through 00:56.146 --> 00:58.646 their actions on social media. 00:59.155 --> 01:01.032 So let me cut to the chase. 01:01.032 --> 01:04.730 When I hear allegations of Marines denigrating their 01:04.730 --> 01:06.921 fellow Marines, I don't think such behavior is that 01:06.921 --> 01:09.611 of true warriors or warfighters. 01:09.611 --> 01:12.320 As warriors we all know that cohesion and trust within 01:12.320 --> 01:15.879 a unit and between Marines is vital to success on the 01:15.879 --> 01:16.879 battlefield. 01:17.530 --> 01:20.841 Right now we all need to be focused on getting better, 01:20.841 --> 01:24.350 becoming more lethal, working day and night to stay 01:24.350 --> 01:26.870 ahead of potential adversaries, getting ready for the 01:26.870 --> 01:29.370 fight today and the one ahead. 01:29.699 --> 01:33.198 Not hiding on social media participating in or being 01:33.198 --> 01:36.350 aware of actions that are disrespectful and harmful 01:36.350 --> 01:37.767 to other Marines. 01:38.139 --> 01:41.564 It's embarrassing to our Corps, to our families, 01:41.564 --> 01:43.064 and to the nation. 01:43.214 --> 01:45.705 Now the only way we have ever solved any problem our 01:45.705 --> 01:48.602 Corps has faced is to confront it head on. 01:48.602 --> 01:50.991 So if you believe you are a victim of any harassment 01:50.991 --> 01:53.917 or abuse via social media or otherwise, 01:53.917 --> 01:56.817 I would ask you to report it to your chain of command, 01:56.817 --> 02:00.150 your chaplain, or a victim legal council. 02:00.209 --> 02:03.844 For our NCOs and staff NCOs, I expect that you will 02:03.844 --> 02:06.261 support all Marines who report behavior that is 02:06.261 --> 02:08.923 prejudicial to good order and discipline, 02:08.923 --> 02:12.128 including conduct that is degrading to Marines. 02:12.128 --> 02:15.379 Ensure they are protected from any form of retaliation 02:15.379 --> 02:19.048 and do all in your power to prevent harassment or abuse 02:19.048 --> 02:20.362 of any Marine or Sailor. 02:20.362 --> 02:24.078 For officers, as senior leaders we will ensure all 02:24.078 --> 02:26.149 in our charge understand the rules and regulations 02:26.149 --> 02:29.982 on social media conduct, harassment and abuse, 02:30.014 --> 02:32.897 and that they clearly understand it's negative impact 02:32.897 --> 02:35.063 on good order and discipline. 02:35.063 --> 02:37.527 We will ensure that the investigative process that is 02:37.527 --> 02:40.959 ongoing supports the reporting of conduct like this. 02:40.959 --> 02:44.470 If changes need to be made, they will be made. 02:44.470 --> 02:47.609 Our legacy is as one of the finest fighting forces 02:47.609 --> 02:49.021 the world has known. 02:49.021 --> 02:51.340 And I know that the vast majority of Marines take 02:51.340 --> 02:54.507 this profession of arms, this calling, 02:54.629 --> 02:56.520 seriously and work hard every day to build on that 02:56.520 --> 02:57.353 legacy. 02:58.036 --> 03:00.590 You train, you lead, you mentor your fellow Marines 03:00.590 --> 03:03.956 to become better, better warfighters every day. 03:03.956 --> 03:06.762 And to you I say, continue to march, I'm proud of you, 03:06.762 --> 03:09.345 and I will proudly go to war with you tonight. 03:09.345 --> 03:12.227 What we say and do each day represents who we are 03:12.227 --> 03:14.777 and there is no time off for Marines. 03:14.777 --> 03:17.277 We are all in 24/7. 03:18.053 --> 03:21.209 And if that commitment to excellence interferes with 03:21.209 --> 03:23.930 your "me time" or if you can't or are unwilling to commit 03:23.930 --> 03:27.435 to contributing 100% to our Corps' warfighting ability 03:27.435 --> 03:30.841 by being a good teammate and improving cohesion 03:30.841 --> 03:33.674 and trust, then I have to ask you, 03:33.918 --> 03:36.751 do you really want to be a Marine? 03:37.039 --> 03:39.808 We will get through this if we are all in together, 03:39.808 --> 03:41.312 treating your fellow Marines with the respect 03:41.312 --> 03:42.395 they deserve. 03:43.063 --> 03:46.563 I need all to be a Marine, to do your job. 03:46.756 --> 03:49.850 We will all need each other in the days ahead.