Time Management and the Marine Corps

In this fast-paced and ever-changing world, having good time management is a necessity to be successful in one’s endeavors. The oft-used phrase “Time is money” perhaps embodies the foundation of why effective time management is important. Time is a precious commodity that can be wasted and in doing so leads to less work being done and if less work is done then the business or organization in question will suffer as a result, whether it’s the group’s profits or goals.

One such organization that can be severely affected by poor time management is the Marine Corps and as a Marine, I have failed the organization due to my inefficient use of time. However, one can always learn from one’s mistakes and I have learned from mine. While I did mismanage my time a couple of times, I have since learned the importance of time management as it pertains to the Marine Corps and recognized the errors of my ways.

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Good time management is important to any organization but it is especially so for any military force that wants to be effective. The Marine Corps in particular is perhaps the most demanding when it comes to this regard with its reputation as America’s expeditionary force in readiness. Being known as the “First to fight” means that Marines must be ready to fight at any moment’s notice and in order for that to happen, the gear and equipment that Marines use must also be ready at any time.

As a mechanic, my role to play is to make sure all my equipment is up and running and poor time management will lead to the detriment of my job if I can’t fix what needs to be fixed in time for the fight, wherever and whenever that is. Of course, time management in the Marine Corps also applies to one’s personal readiness. Since a Marine has to be physically, mentally, and spiritually fit, a Marine needs to balance his or her time in order to so, whether it be working out, getting enough rest, spending time with family and friends, etc while still being able to do one’s job effectively.

My own mistakes regarding time management were that I wasted time when I should have been working and not finishing a task on time. My first mistake was squandering time at medical waiting for another Marine that I went to medical with when I should have gone back to work after accomplishing what I went to medical for. In sitting at medical wasting time reading a magazine and using my phone, I used up time that should have been used to make sure that the equipment that I am responsible for as well as my work area were good to go. What makes my mishap even worse is that my NCOs, my superiors, were working while I was just kicking back taking it easy.

My second mistake was not finishing a MarineNet course on time especially after I said I would do it. In my defense, I wasn’t given a deadline and since I was given a week to do a previous MarineNet course, I thought I had more time to finish the class. However, I know that is no excuse as this was a different class and I shouldn’t have assumed anything and should have asked instead. The lessons that I have learned from my mistakes are that I should finish a given task as quickly as possible and move on to the next as well as if someone doesn’t give a deadline, assume they want it done as soon as possible. Needless to say, these are things that all Marines learn in boot camp but apparently, I much-needed this refresher as I messed up two times all in one week.

In conclusion, having proper time management is important but especially so in a warfighting organization such as the renowned Marine Corps. My failure to manage my time wisely has taught me to finish my tasks faster and not dawdle around. Our 13th Commandant perhaps said it best: “The future success of the Marine Corps depends on two factors: first, an efficient performance of all duties to which its officers and men may be assigned; second, promptly bringing this efficiency to the attention of the proper officials of the government, and the American people.”