Concerning Comportment
I often talked to Marines about their presence and bearing. How we carry ourselves is nonverbal communication to those around us. We always encouraged Marines to carry themselves with quiet professionalism and competence.
A friend once mentioned I had a bearing that, among other things, says, “Not to be f****ed with.” I often joke I am not a big man but I do take up a lot of space. Keep in mind, puffing up your chest and mean mugging everyone within sight and hearing indicates you are a douche vice capable of handling yourself. When you are trying too hard it laughably shows.
I never actually considered how we verbally impact others until a funny encounter I had. Physical presence is often discussed but I don’t think I’d ever contemplated verbal presence before.
During my many travels, foul weather in Chicago once stranded me in Phoenix overnight. I called a hotel shuttle to pick me up. The driver arrived, but I didn’t see him among the other vans and shuttles hustling about. He got out, maneuvered through the gaggle of people standing around and walked right up to me. I saw by his name tag I had just spoken to him on the phone.
“How did you know it was me?”
“Well, you looked like the voice I spoke to on the phone.”
It was a compliment I think?
Not every Marine has comportment. It becomes difficult or a challenge when we as SNCO’s have it but our CO’s don’t.
I can remember when I was the AMOI at the university of Notre Dame and if myself and the MOI (a dweeb) were out and about on campus in PT gear for example and people would come up to me identifying me as a Marine but not give the MOI the time of day.
He was a bit jealous and it reflected in our relationship.
Later on when I was a senior Sgtmaj working for my first General who was also a geek that the same happened on many occasions…
So comportment is not possessed by every Marine but generally speaking the more senior you get the more you should have.
Outward comportment comes from what’s on your heart. If you truly love something it will show outwardly.
Finally retirement will show if being a Marine is on your heart by the comportment you display long into old age.
Squids have been saying Jarheads stick out like sore thumbs for decades. Just sayin'.
Semper Fi, from a Navy guy.