MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Major Gen. Ronald L. Bailey assumed command of Marine Corps Recruiting Command on Jan. 3, 2011. He is also the commanding general of the Western Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
After graduating from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., in 1977, Maj. Gen. Bailey was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps that July and went on to serve as an infantry officer. His years in the Corps as an infantry officer have shaped his leadership philosophy, which he breaks down into three points.
“My leadership philosophy is purposefully concise and comprised of three tenets: leadership, attitude and war fighting.
“In the context of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, leadership is about influence and relationships – relationships with the American people. Our nation’s citizens expect us to be America’s expeditionary force in readiness committed to their protection at home and abroad; we will honor that expectation with the professional and empathetic execution of our mission within their communities nationwide.
“Maintaining a proper attitude is imperative. It is normal for personal frustrations and mission-related friction to affect a person’s attitude; however, after about 10 seconds of venting, I expect forward-leaning progress toward a solution. In the independent duty environment, creativity within the scope of lawful orders is often required. Hands-on leadership and training empowers the backbone of our success – the canvassing recruiter. Productive attitudes are contagious.
“Proficiency and effectiveness at war fighting is a tenet of our Corps and the individual Marine. As an infantry officer, it is my obligation to be the best war fighter and lead from the front. As the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, it is my responsibility to lead our Corps’ recruiting efforts to the best of my abilities. I expect each member of this command to apply the same standards of war fighting proficiency and excellence to their assigned duties in support of our Corps efforts.”
There are always new challenges in the recruiting environment, but with a strong leadership philosophy and individual effort for the common good, MCRC will continue to adapt and overcome in the future. Maj. Gen. Bailey’s time as the commanding general of Western Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego should assist him as he assumes greater responsibility as the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command.