Hazing in the Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is unfortunately involved in an underlying issue within its own ranks called hazing. Hazing is an overlooked problem being dealt with today in the military as it is enforced and prevented. As hazing is becoming more commonly identified, Marines are being held accountable. As you read this paper you will find out about this issue. You will be engaged in the Marine Corps order that covers this very topic. General James F. Amos scrutinizes the act of hazing in saying, “Hazing is contrary to our core values of honor, courage, and commitment and is prejudicial to good order and discipline.” He continues to explain that hazing greatly reduces morale, esprit de corps, pride, professionalism, and unit cohesiveness. General James F. Amos states that hazing is commonly associated and is present in Marine Corps’ activities such as hails and farewells, promotion and graduation ceremonies, mess nights, dinings in/out, and other similar events. Hazing has been misconstrued as “rites of passage” as to promote loyalty and tradition. Hazing in the United States Marine Corps will continue to be scrutinized and supervised to ensure all marines are treated with dignity and respect. The definition of hazing is any conduct whereby a military member or members, regardless of service or rank, without proper authority causes another military member or members, regardless of service or rank, to suffer or be exposed to any activity which is cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning or harmful. Soliciting or coercing another to perpetrate any such activity is also considered hazing. Hazing need not involve physical contact among or between military members; it can be verbal or psychological in nature. Actual or implied consent to acts of hazing does not eliminate culpability of the perpetrator. According to the hazing order, any violation, attempted violation, or solicitation of another to violate this order, subjects involved members to