THE MARINE CORPS CAREER - United States Marine Corps



THE MARINE CORPS CAREER

The United States Marine Corps is an organization of men and women who have a wide variety of goals, interests, and backgrounds but hold a common belief in the importance of continually striving for personal excellence in every aspect of life.

As a Marine Officer, you become an heir to over 200 years of courage, valor, and excellence. Few professions offer greater opportunity for personal growth, challenge, education, travel and adventure. You will find yourself in an enviable position, honored with assignments of authority and responsibility and rewarded with satisfaction of knowing you are a leader in the elite brotherhood of military professionals known as Marines.

THE MARINE OFFICERS OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

“I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR”

In taking this oath I make a covenant between myself and the Supreme Being in which I believe.

“THAT I WILL SUPPORT OR DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES”

The Constitution forms the basic foundation under which our Government operates. To preserve this nation I will uphold and defend its provisions against danger or attack.

“AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC”

I will do so in opposition to those who are hostile to its provisions and seek its change by threat or revolution, whether they be citizens not in accord with our system or aliens from other lands.

“THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME”

In word and deed I will continue to express my devotion and loyalty to our Constitution and the Government which operates under it.

“THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION”

I commit myself to this course of action voluntarily and because it is my desire. I do not seek to elude any of my responsibilities to myself, society or to my country.

“THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER”

To the utmost of my ability I will endeavor to carry out the tasks and responsibilities placed upon me. I will do all in my power to fulfill the obligations of the office offered me.

“SO HELP ME GOD”

Through my belief in the Supreme Being I hereby make this covenant with that Being and invoke his assistance in carrying out this oath.

WHERE DOES IT BEGIN

The process by which a Marine Officer becomes a Marine Aviator sometimes begins as early as his/her freshman year in college. Through the Platoon Leaders Class Program, an undergraduate below senior standing may be commissioned upon college graduation. The student attends Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia during the summer months between his college terms. Upon college graduation, he/she is commissioned a Second Lieutenant and receives orders to The Basic School, also in Quantico, Virginia. For college graduates the path is similar, with the graduate completing a ten-week Officer Candidate School at Quantico then receiving his commission. The OCS graduate joins the PLC graduate at The Basic School for a six-month officer finishing course. Here the Officer learns the skills necessary to command Marines effectively. After the Basic School, the future Marine aviator reports to the Naval Aviation Schools Command at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. There he begins training for his designation as a Marine pilot.

MARINE AVIATION

ANOTHER EDUCATION AND MARKETABLE SKILL

What is your education and training as an aviation Officer worth to you? Look at it like this: Six years are going to help you get ahead of the pack regardless of your future plans.

Approximately three-quarters of the airline pilots are ex-military pilots. The figures are even higher for Federal Aviation Administration and other federally employed pilots.

Basic requirements for airline hiring are:

a) commercial and instrument rating

b) 2000 hours flying

c) maximum age of 35-38

A professional pilot course at a leading aeronautical university would cost you approximately $18,000.00 a year.

Such a course would qualify you as a commercial instrument pilot but only provide 250 flight hours. The other 1750 hours required to attract an airline contract would conservatively cost approximately $80,000.00

The Marine Corps will have invested close to one million dollars in your training. The acquired skill is without price, but in commercial terms in worth a minimum of $500,000.00

MARINE AVIATION TRAINING SUPPORT GROUP

NAS, PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

FLIGHT TRAINING OVERVIEW

On arrival at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida the flight student will check in at the Marine Air Training Support Group (MATSG) Student Control. At this time the student will be given a schedule for his first week of training.

MATSG is the major Marine Command at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. MATSG deals directly with Headquarters, Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. and has the responsibility for all Marine administrative matters; assures that the required input into schools command for Marine Student Naval Aviators is adhered to; transfers Student Naval Aviators on permanent change of duty orders throughout the training command (NAS Whiting, Meridian, Kingsville and Corpus Christi); monitors the output of Marine Naval Aviators; and handles those Marine Officers attrited from Flight Training. MATSG maintains Marine Representatives usually of the rank of Major in schools command and the training wings. Each training squadron also has a Senior Marine usually of the rank of Major and a number of Marine Instructors assigned.

On Tuesday morning, one week prior to starting Aviation Indoctrination (AI), the prospective aviator reports for his Flight Physical.

On Wednesday morning, the AI Class staring date, the new students muster at MATSG for their Welcome Aboard Presentation. The students are then transferred to Naval Aviation Schools Command for four weeks of aviation indoctrination.

Academics is one of the major instructional areas of AI. Most of the material is presented to the student through the use of lectures and a comprehensive text. During the first through third weeks the areas of study include:

AVIATION INDOCTRINATION

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A) AERODYNAMICS: Including the basic principles of flight

B) ENGINES: Describes the systems and functions of jet engines

C) NAVIGATION: A new course added to the curriculum on the basic principles of dead reckoning (DR) navigation

D) AVIATION PHYSIOLOGY: Describes the effects of flight on the human body which includes pressure chamber and night vision effects demonstrator

In all academic areas, the text and lectures are supplemented with in-class and outside-the-classroom self-paced audiovisual aids. Each student is ranked in his class according to academic performance.

Concurrent with the academic phase of AI, the students are subjected to approximately eight hours of physical fitness tests including pass/fail runs of the obstacle and cross-country (1.6 mile) courses. If a student fails any of these events, he is assigned remedial training during his off-duty hours.

Swimming instruction and tests are also given and include:

A) Drown-proofing and treading water thirty (30) minutes

B) The four basic strokes: crawl, back, breast and side

C) Platform jump and underwater swim

D) Endurance swim of one (1) mile in flight suit

E) Dilbert Dunker: This teaches survival procedures in an inverted ditching situation

Approximately eight hours are devoted to swimming; and, again, if the student does not perform satisfactorily, he is required to attend remedial sessions.

The fourth week is devoted to both land and sea survival. Both classroom work and practical application are incorporated into this section of training.

AVIATION INDOCTRINATION

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Land survival classes are given at NAS, Pensacola to teach the students various survival techniques including food procurement, map reading and shelter building. They are then given a two day survival field trip at Eglin Reservation during which students are expected to live off the land putting to use the various techniques taught in class. A short, cross-country, Escape-and-Evasion March using map and compass concludes the land survival field trip.

Sea survival consists of coordinated class and field training in Pensacola Bay. Instruction is in the following areas:

A) Survival Equipment (Seat Pack and Parachute)

B) Review of various harnesses and release mechanisms

C) Survival Techniques: Various survival and rescue procedures are carried out in a two day schedule. Students are required to use, while in the water, techniques which include release from harnesses, escape from a parachute, use of rafts and execute an actual helicopter lift.

Upon completion of AI, the Student Naval Aviators report back to MATSG and are assigned to NAS, Whiting Field or NAS Corpus Christi, Texas for primary flight training.

Although the Marine student is in a Navy environment, he is still expected to conform to the USMC regulations pertaining to uniform and appearance. This is assured by periodic inspections conducted by MATSG as well as the Senior Marine attached to each training squadron and training wing.

Student Naval Aviators are assigned to one of three squadrons (VT-2, VT-3, or VT-6) at Whiting Field or VT-27/VT-28 at NAS Corpus Christi for primary flight training. Primary training consists of 16 weeks of intensive instruction including 65 hours of flight time and 20.8 hours of synthetic instrument trainer time. In addition to the flight syllabus, the students attend 28 hours of flight support lectures and 82.6 hours of academic training.

JET TRAINING

When a student chooses jets, he also submits his request for location of training. The bases available for jet training are: NAS Kingsville, Texas and NAS Meridian, Mississippi. Selection of course depends of the needs of the service, base loading and choice.

Both jet training locations teach both the basics and advanced jet courses; therefore, the student remains at one location until completion of training. After selection for jets from VT-2, VT-3, or VT-6, the SNA will attend two days of additional jet survival training. The student reports back to MATSG for checkout and transfer after completion of the additional survival training.

Upon arrival as his jet training base, ground school is the first item on the agenda. It averages four weeks in length and consists of courses in:

1) INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES AND REGULATIONS

2) VISUAL FLIGHT RULES AND NAVIGATION

3) METEOROLOGY

4) AERODYNAMICS

In addition, safety lectures, procedures and course rules lectures and cockpit familiarization are required prior to the first hop.

Actual flight training in the basic phase is scheduled to last 26 weeks. The aircraft used is the T-45C. This twin engine jet trainer is highly maneuverable and is well liked by both students and instructors.

The flight syllabus consists of:

1. TRANSITION AND ACROBATICS

2. INSTRUMENTS

3. FORMATION FLYING

4. GUNNERY: BOTH AIR-TO-AIR AND AIR-TO-GROUND

5. CARRIER QUALS (CQ): The highlight of basic jet training, after considerable ground practice, is when the student flies out to the USS Lexington for arrested landings and catapult takeoffs

JET TRAINING

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Once the student accomplishes these things, it is time to move on to advanced jets.

The advanced flight syllabus is basically the same as previously described. More time is spent on combat maneuvers, both air-to-air and air-to-ground and night flying. Again, the final phase is carrier qualifications. There are a total of 90 flight hours in advanced training. Once the student has been given the grade “Qualified” is all phases, he is ready to receive his “WINGS OF GOLD.”

HELO TRAINING

The students assigned to the Helo Training remain at their primary training squadron (VT-2, VT-3 or VT-6) intermediate prop training. The T-34 is used in this phase which lasts five weeks and encompasses 26 flight hours and appropriate ground school subjects. Once the student has satisfactorily completed intermediate, he will leave North Whiting Field and begin his actual Helo training at South Whiting Field, the home of Helicopter training squadrons HT-8 and HT-18. Each squadron is identical. First, ground school consists of courses in aerodynamics and engineering. Again, those courses are taught through the use programmed texts. It is up to the student, on his own initiative, to complete the texts prior to a specified final exam date. All material is in reference to the Bell Jet Ranger (TH-57B/C) which is used in the Helo flight phase. The flight syllabus consists of 45 flight hours and is six (6) weeks in duration. After mastering the basics of Helo academics and flight, the student is ready to move on to more advanced work. The advanced academic portion consists of more aerodynamics and engineering plus a course in advanced instrument navigation. The flight portion is conducted in the TH-57C aircraft and consists of 70 hours in familiarization, tactics, basic instruments, radio instruments, cross-country navigation, formation flight and carrier qualifications. Upon the completion of carrier qualifications and a final instrument certification flight, the student receives his “Wings” and is transferred to the fleet for service as a Marine Aviator.

STUDENT NAVAL AVIATOR

TRAINING/ASSIGNMENT

OVERVIEW

1. All applications for the Student Naval Aviators Program should be submitted to your OSO.

2. All Student Naval Aviators will the attend The Basic School (TBS) prior to attending flight school.

3. Each Basic School class is made up of enough SNA’s to meet the weekly NATC input schedule (approximately 12 SNA’S per week) until the graduation of the next class. Since TBS classes graduate at irregular intervals, this may generate minor delays of 1-3 months.

4. NATC reporting dates are based on TBS class standings. Individual cases involving pregnant wives, personal hardship, etc, are given special consideration.

5. During the course of instruction at TBS, the Aviation Lieutenant Monitor will inform the SNA’s of any changes or modifications in the training syllabus and the status of any training delays.

6. The information enclosed pertains to the SNA training syllabi for SNA at the NATC.

7. Delays at the NATC can be generated by many factors including adverse weather, aircraft mechanical problems, etc.

8. Approximately 1 month prior to designation as a Naval Aviator, the Commanding Officer of the Marine Aviation Training Support Group will inform the Aviation Lieutenant Monitor (Code MMOA-2) of the estimated completion date of each officer and the individual’s preference for aircraft type and geographic location.

STUDENT NAVAL AVIATOR

TRAINING ASSIGNMENT – CONTINUED

9. Initial FMF training in tactical aircraft is accomplished at the following locations:

AIRCRAFT TYPE LOCATION

EA-6B WHIBDEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON

AV-8 2ND MAW, CHERRY POINT, NC

C-130 2ND MAW, CHERRY POINT

AH-1W 3RD MAW, MAG-39 CAMP PENDLETON, CA

UH-1N 3RD MAW, MAG-39 CAMP PENDLETON, CA

CH-46 3RD MAW, MAG-39 CAMP PENDELTON, CA

CH-53 2ND MAW, NEW RIVER

F/A-18 3RD MAW, NAS LEMOORE or MCAS MIRAMAR, CA

MV-22 MCAS NEW RIVER

NOTES:

1. Electronic Counter Measure Officers will attend the ECMO Course at Mather AFB, Sacramento, California enroute to 2ND MAW.

2. C-130 pilots will attend C-130 Course at Little Rock AFB prior to beginning C-130 familiarization training.

10. Upon completion of this initial training, officers may be assigned as follows (by aircraft type):

STUDENT NAVAL AVIATORS

TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS – CONTINUED

AIRCRAFT TYPE POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS

EA-6B 2ND MAW, MCAS CHERRY POINT, NC

AV-8B 2ND MAW/3RD MAW MCAS CP, MCAS YUMA

FA-18 2ND MAW/3RD MAW

C-130 1ST MAW/2ND MAW/3RD MAW

AH-1 2ND MAW/3RD MAW

UH-1 2ND MAW/3RD MAW

CH-46 1ST MAW/2ND MAW/3RD MAW

CH-53 2ND MAW/3RD MAW

MV-22 MCAS NEW RIVER

11. Orders issued for newly designated Naval Aviators will include assignment to aircraft type, initial training location and ultimate duty assignment.

NOTE: Initial assignments are based primarily on the needs of the Marine Corps. Ultimate duty assignments, etc, may be modified to overcome MOS shortages, i.e., balances or training delays.

12. Once a newly designated Naval Aviator arrives at his first tactic squadron, it is the intent of the Headquarters to allow him to remain within that organization (Section/Group/Wing) for 3 to 4 years prior to reassignment.

MARINE AVIATION

1. Mission – The primary mission of Marine Corps Aviation is to participate as the supporting air component of Fleet Marine Forces in the seizure and defense of advanced naval bases and to support such land operations as may be essential for the prosecution of a naval campaign. A collateral mission is to participate as an integral component of naval aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commanders so direct.

2. Functions – A number of tasks are required to support the aviation mission. These tasks are categorized under six separate functions listed below:

a. Offensive Air Support (OAS). – which includes:

1) Close Air Support. Air action against hostile targets which are in close proximity to friendly forces and which require detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces.

2) Deep Air Support (DAS). Air action conducted against enemy targets which does not require detailed integration with the fire and movement of friendly ground forces. The most important of the deep air support tasks is air interdiction. Its purpose is to deny the enemy use of a particular area, route, or facility.

b. Anti-air Warfare (AAW). Operations conducted against enemy aircraft and/or missiles, their supporting forces, and operating bases.

1) Offensive AAW. Offensive measures are those operations taken to destroy an air or missile threat before can be launched, as well as those to destroy or counter enemy aircraft and missiles in-flight.

2) Defensive AAW. Defensive AAW operations include air defense, both active and passive. Active air defense includes such measures as the use of aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery, electronic countermeasures, and surface-to-air guided missiles. Passive air defense measures include the use of cover, concealment, camouflage, dispersion, deception, mobility, and protective construction.

c. Assault Support. Includes:

1) Providing the vertical assault airlift capability required by elements of the landing force.

2) Providing air delivery of critical materials to combat elements of the landing force from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

3) Providing air evacuation for elements of the landing force as required.

4) Providing intelligence gathering service as required for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

d. Aerial Reconnaissance. Includes:

1) Visual Reconnaissance. A task performed by all pilots and aircrew personnel. Aircraft are tasked to provide an aerial platform for tactical air observers, artillery for naval gunfire spotters, and ground unit personnel conducting visual battlefield surveillance.

2) Multisensor Imagery Reconnaissance. Multisensor imagery reconnaissance includes photographic, side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), and infrared (IR).

3) Electronic Reconnaissance. Electronic warfare configured aircraft provide the means to locate, identify, and analyze enemy non-communications electronic emitters, such as radars, thereby providing up-to-date electronic order of battle (EOB) and technical intelligence.

e. Electronic Warfare (EW) is defined as the military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy to determine, exploit, reduce, or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum and action which retains friendly use of this spectrum. Electronic Warfare Support Measures (ESM) are taken to search for, intercept, locate, and identify radiated electromagnetic energy for the purpose of immediate threat recognition and/or reaction. Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) involve actions taken to prevent or reduce an enemy’s effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Electronic countermeasures include electronic jamming and electronic deception. Electronic CounterCountermeasures (ECCM) are actions taken to ensure friendly effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum.

MARINE AIRCRAFT

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f. Control of Aircraft and Missiles. This function comprises the capability of Marine aviation to exercise authority over, and maintain direction of, air support elements during the conduct of operations.

3. Marine Aircraft

(a) AV-8B. The AV-8B is a single-seat, transonic-vectored thrust, light attack aircraft with greatly increased payload, range and improved reliability and maintainability over the AV-8A. It is manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft and is designed with a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capability to provide increased responsiveness to ground force close air support requirements through basing flexibility and high sortie rates. It will be configured with the Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) which will provide an extremely accurate first pass attack capability and high kill probability through the use of passive Laser Spot or TV tracking.

(b) F/A-18. The F/A-18 is a twin-engine, single-piloted, all-weather fighter attack aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, and major subcontractors Northrop, Hughes and General Electric. The aircraft will fulfill both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission requirements, and it has the capability to be both land and carrier based. Capable of supersonic speed, the F/A-18 incorporates state-of-the-art technology such as digital fly-by-wire flight controls, multi-mode radar, and use of lightweight composites to enhance the combat capability and flexibility of the aircraft.

(c) EA-6B. The EA-6B is a four-place, twin-engine, electronic warfare aircraft. It has a high data assimilation rate, versatile electronic surveillance system, and powerful jammers. The EA-6B, a strike aircraft, supports ground troops by suppressing enemy electronic activity and by obtaining tactical electronic intelligence.

d) KC-130J. The KC-130J is a four-engine, turboprop, assault aerial refueler and transport aircraft. Carrying a crew of six or seven, the KC-130 can provide aerial refueling to aircraft equipped with refueling probes. The KC-130 can also be used as a tactical transport carrying 92 ground troops or as an ambulance carrying 74 litters. The aircraft can land and take-off on short runways and can be used on landing strips found in advance base operations.

e) AH-1W. The AH-1W is a twin-engine, single-rotor, attack helicopter whose mission is to provide close-in fire support for aerial and ground escort operations. The AH-1W armament includes an internal three-

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barreled, 20mm turret cannon with 750 rounds, and spur external wing stations capable of carrying the HELLFIRE Missile, TOW Missile, GPU-2A 20mm gun pod, CBU-55 fuel air explosives, smoke grenade dispenser, chaff dispenser, flare dispenser, MK-77 firebombs, and a variety of 2.75 inch rockets.

f) UH-1N. The UH-1N is a twin-engine, two-seat, single-piloted, single-rotor helicopter whose mission is to provide utility combat support to the Landing Force. The UH-1N can be configured with the ASC-26 installation which gives the Ground Combat Element Commander the following command and control radio capabilities: two VHF (FM), one UHF, secure voice, VHF-VHF retransmission, VHR-UHF retransmission, and intraplane communication. The UH-1N is also used as a primary medical evacuation aircraft. The UH-1N is capable of mounting the 7.62mm/M-61 machine gun, the 7.62mm GAU-2 B/A mini-gun, or the 50 caliber M-2 machine gun. An external cargo suspension unit provides the UH-1N with external cargo capabilities.

g) CH-46E. The CH-46E is a dual-piloted, twin-engine, tandem-rotor helicopter whose mission is to provide helicopter transport of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the landing force. Its primary task is to transport assault troops. The CH-46E has a rear-loading ramp that provides rapid loading and unloading of personnel, cargo, and vehicles, while an external hook allows for external cargo lift. The CH-46E is capable of mounting two 7.62 M-60 machine guns or two 50 caliber/M-2 machine guns for self-protection.

h) CH-53E. The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is a shipboard compatible helicopter configured for the lift and movement of cargo and troops internally, and heavy bulky equipment by external suspension. Development-derived improvements over the current inventory CH-53D include: a third General Electric T-64 engine, upgraded transmission, a larger main-rotor system, digital automatic flight control system, 2 point cargo suspension, in-flight refueling and auxiliary fuel tanks. Payload of earlier H-53 helicopters is effectively doubled by the CH-53E which is capable of transporting sixteen tons over a fifty nautical mile radius. Fleet introduction commenced in June 1981.

(I) MV-22. The V-22 Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium lift, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt rotor aircraft designed for combat, combat support, combat service support, and Special Operations missions worldwide. It will replace the Corps' aged fleet of CH-46E and CH-53D medium lift helicopters.

4. Pilot Eligibility Requirements

a. Physical. Aviation candidates must pass the aviation flight physical examination.

1) Eyes: 20/40 uncorrected

2) Height: 5’6” to 6’6”

3) Weight: Proportional to Height

b. Mental. Aviation candidates must obtain a minimum score of 4/6 on the AQT/FAR examination. If one does not achieve the required AQT/FAR scores, he may retake the exam. Those officers who report to TBS with an “aviation guarantee” can gain such an “aviation guarantee” if they pass the physical and mental exams prior to graduation from TBS.

ADVANTAGES OF ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE OF MARINE AVIATION

1. You will receive the finest flight training in the world.

2. Excellent pay.

3. Opportunity to travel.

4. Exciting family life.

5. Responsibility and a chance to lead Marines.

6. Unmatched job and family security.

7. Health care.

8. Opportunity to further your education.

9. Qualify for VA home loans and educational assistance.

10. Personnel and leadership experience.

RESPONSIBILITY – LEADERSHIP – OPPORTUNITY

The Marine Corps is one of the few employers that gives junior executives a vast amount of responsibility early in their careers. As a Marine aviator, you will have control of multimillion dollar aircraft as soon as you finish training. As you gain experience with a squadron, you may be given responsibility for a flight or 2 more aircraft. The performance, safety, and welfare of other flight crew members, in addition to responsibilities associated with your aircraft, are part of the tasks assigned to Marine aviators as they progress upward in grade and proficiency.

There is more to being a Marine aviator than simply flying airplanes. You are first a Marine Officer and will assume leadership responsibilities in addition to flying duties. Shortly after reporting to your first operational command, you will find yourself directing the efforts of many ambitious and bright young men.

From the time you pin on your Second Lieutenant’s bars, you take on the responsibilities of a leader. You will learn how to direct others in assigned tasks and how to protect and preserve property as well as human lives.

As you progress upward in grade, your challenge will also increase. Everyday you will be tested through routine assignments to see if you’ve got what it takes to become a leader of a squadron or battalion of Marines.

The sense of satisfaction and gratification gained from having become an effective, contributing professional of a winning team will far outweigh any individual accomplishments you may achieve.

The acceptance of the challenge of greater responsibility is the mark of a man, the stamp of a leader.

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