Uncommon Men: The Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps - Hardcover

John C. Chapin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0942597451 ISBN 13: 9780942597455

Publisher: White Mane Pub, 1992

Synopsis

New insights into the senior command levels of the United States fighting elite. Stories include accounts of men in battles from World War II. This book fills a void in the literature of Marine Corps leadership. Supplying the biographies of the first eleven men to hold the proud title of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Uncommon Men offers new insights into the senior command levels of the United States' fighting elite. This book portrays not only the lives of those pioneers, but also gives us a social history of the Corps since 1942 as only a Marine could tell it. The Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps come from all parts of the country. Chapin reminds us of their humanity, their families, and off-duty friendships and hobbies, and how they rose through the ranks.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This book fills a void in the literature of Marine Corps leadership. Supplying the biographies of the first eleven men to hold the proud title of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Uncommon Men offers new insights into the senior command levels of the United States' fighting elite. This book portrays not only the lives of those pioneers, but also gives us a social history of the Corps since 1942 as only a Marine could tell it. Using interviews and personal comments, official documents, and family photographs and correspondence, among other sources, the author, retired Marine Corps Captain John C. Chapin, has tapped resources not available to the traditional historian. His stories include accounts of these men's participation in battles from the World War II island campaigns through the responsibilities the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps met in the recent war in the Persian Gulf. But peace time challenges have also tested the skills of the noncommissioned officer often called "The Enlisted Man's General". Reductions in size and other peace time economies only added to the problems those enlisted leaders had to face and help solve. Drugs, social experimentation that threatened the Marines' high standards, low morale and discipline problems, and the ever-present need to supervise the Corps' recruit training, are all issues which Chapin addresses. The Sergeants Major of the Corps come from all parts of the country. Chapin reminds us of their humanity, their families and off-duty friendships and hobbies, and how they rose through the ranks.

From Publishers Weekly

In 1957 the Marines instituted a new billet: the sergeant major of the Marine Corps. The principal duty of the incumbent was to keep the commandant advised in matters pertaining to promotions, welfare and morale of enlisted personnel. Chapin presents compact biographies of the first 11 men to fill that post, covering their upbringing, marriages and retirement as well as details of their active service. All came from modest backgrounds; none had formal schooling beyond high school; every one of them proved his courage and leadership ability in combat. Each sergeant major personified in a distinctive way the virtues traditionally associated with Marine noncommissioned officers. This enlightening account captures the unique spirit of the Corps. Chapin, a retired Marine officer, is author of A History of Marine Fighter Squadron 115. Photos.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: White Mane Pub
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0942597451
• ISBN 13: 9780942597455
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 366