The purpose of the order, Marine Corps Order 1700.28A, is to ensure hazing does not occur, in any form, at any level of command, and to improve overall effectiveness as a fighting force.

The order requires commanding officers and officers-in-charge to ensure all personnel within their command are familiar with the current hazing policy, and to provide appropriate training as part of their unit’s orientation and annual troop information programs.

In addition to revising the order, Amos also released a statement to service members reiterating his intent in All Marine Message 005/12.

“I charge all leaders in the chain of command, from fire team leader to commanding general, to ensure that all Marines are treated with dignity, care, and respect and to be ever vigilant for signs of hazing within our ranks,” said Amos.

Hazing, as defined in the order, is any conduct whereby a military member or members, regardless of service or rank, without proper authority causes another military member or members to suffer or be exposed to any activity which is cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning or harmful.

“Typically, hazing occurs as acts of initiation or in congratulations,” said Chief Warrant Officer Ralph Rivera a legal administrative officer for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate for Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

“Confused participants seem to think it is a part of our customs and courtesies, (but) those individuals are severely mistaken,” he added. “It’s actually opposite in that when brought to light it sheds a bad picture of our Marine Corps and what we truly are about.”

Hazing destroys Marines’ confidence and trust in their fellow Marines and in unit leadership, undermining unit cohesion and combat readiness, said Amos.

“It does not promote loyalty, does not build esprit de corps, and does not prepare Marines for combat,” said Amos. “Hazing will not be tolerated in any form in our Corps!”

“Once you lose trust, you work out of fear,” Rivera said. “Working out of fear destroys any individuals’ initiative since fear motivates us to do the minimum, so you don’t get in trouble.”

On the other hand, if you trust your leadership, it motivates you to excel since you know they respect you as a Marine and will reward and acknowledge you for your accomplishments, he added.

The Marine Corps already has it’s only form of initiation, according to the All Marine Message.

“Our 31st commandant, Gen. Charles C. Krulak, established the Crucible as the sole rite of passage to earn the title Marine,” said Amos. “There is no other! When he published our hazing policy in 1997, he closed the door on other rites of passage. I want to be clear to all Marines that hazing has no place in a disciplined and professional military force.”

It is important for leaders within the Marine Corps to take a very firm stance on hazing, according to Rivera. Leaders must ensure Marines understand there is absolutely no way they can rationalize or justify an incident that can be perceived as hazing. There is no gray area.

“Achieving milestones like promotions and military occupational specialty-related achievements or just arriving to a new unit in the Marine Corps does not require rituals that involve acts to hurt or embarrass our fellow Marines,” said Rivera. “Marines take care of each other.”