Insights from the Marine Corps Organizational Culture Research Project: Elements and Antidotes for Disillusionment

The purpose of this report is twofold. It is meant not only to convey certain concerns and ideas that were put forward by Marines, but also to illustrate the ways in which qualitative research and analysis can highlight the relationships between multiple seemingly unrelated topics and how those, taken together, impact the daily lives of Marines in the fleet. Talking to Marines about the various social problems the Marine Corps is dealing with and having the Marines discuss them amongst themselves in focus groups revealed detailed issues that the Marines themselves face in their day-to-day lives. These methods also solicited positive or clear-headed solutions to these issues. While the hard points of policy were not often discussed, Marine participants were sometimes exposed to alternative theories and perspectives on issues that they saw as set in stone. This exposure sometimes sparked new discussion on what could be going on, with Marines often eager to find and work toward a solution. This research, in its limited way across multiple reports, has shown that Marines can offer salient critique of the Corps, but amongst these frustrated attitudes, there are many good ideas that Marines have to improve their organization.