The Marine Cadet Corps is based on the history, traditions and ethos of the Royal Marines. The Royal Marines have developed a specific function as a commando and amphibious force, undertaking operations in harsh environments be they mountain, jungle, cold weather or desert. This difficult and unique task requires certain personal characteristics, which are nurtured, maintained and developed throughout the service of all Cadets and Staff within the Marine Cadet Corps.

The Commando Spirit

The four elements of the Commando Spirit; Courage, Determination, Unselfishness, and Cheerfulness in the face of adversity, are well known to all recruits by the time they complete commando training. But these constituents of the ‘Commando Spirit’ are what make individual ‘commandos’. What shapes the way they then work as a team which give’s the Royal Marines its special identity. The way they carry out their duties is a second set of group values set out below. It is the combination of individual Commando Spirit qualities, coupled with these group values, that together forms the Royal Marine ethos.
Royal Marines Ethos = Individual Commando Spirit + Collective Group Values
 Courage
 Unity
 Determination
 Adaptability
 Unselfishness
 Humility
 Cheerfulness
 Professional Standards
 Fortitude
 Commando Humour

Courage

Although courage is readily recognized as a value in the Royal Marines, its’ relevance to the MCC is less obvious. But think for a moment of the pressures facing young people from peer groups and the like in the context of what is fashionable, what is the ‘in’ thing to do, and worse, the gang culture. Our cadets have the courage to choose to be a cadet. The courage to wear a uniform, and not have the ‘fashionable’ hairstyle. The courage to say I want to be a part of the Marine Cadet Corps.

Unity

There is a unity within the Corps that crosses all ranks and is unique to the Royal Marines. Unity is bred into recruits and young officers alike during training and by the proximity of their training together and by the hardship of the Commando Course; both not only share the same training and the same hardships but they see each other doing so. The emphasis is always on completing everything as a team. So it can be for the MCC. The staff training is more difficult to reflect the differences in cadet training when compared to other cadet forces.

Determination

The relaxed and ‘so what’ attitude often prevails in our modern society. It must be a part of our aim to develop determination in both our cadets and in our staff. We need the determination to succeed if we are to reflect our the Royal Marines and maintain and build on the status of the MCC as the cadet force that is that bit ‘special’.

Adaptability

Unity and solidarity across the ranks allows the Corps to be adaptable; open to information and opinion from every available angle and able to adapt to this new knowledge. The MCC must follow this approach to maintain our edge in increasingly difficult times.

Unselfishness

Unselfishness can be seen as simply as being a team player. But it is more than that, it means putting the need of the team before your own, giving your all to the ultimate objective regardless of personal gain or acclaim. Something we should all be prepared to do, and very desirable in our young people in our current society of celebrity & materialistic values.

Humility

The Royal Marines is an organization that is sometimes criticised for its understated approach. This is not just false modesty; arrogant organizations believe they have little to learn from others, and arrogance leads to inflexibility and rigidity. In order to adapt and innovate it is essential that we  take the same approach as the Corps and, while proud of our standards, we remain sufficiently self critical - humble enough - to recognize and adopt the good practices of other institutions. Humility also contributes to the essential bond between all ranks and will allow us to achieve success.

Cheerfulness

Smile in the face of adversity, an often used saying but nearly always appropriate. It maintains individual and team morale, and when morale is maintained, adversity is usually overcome.

Professional Standards

Our training is intended to develop common procedures, which will be instantly and collectively followed. Professional standards generate an individual and collective response to any situation. MCC training standards must guarantee a level of professionalism that contributes to success in whatever we do.

Fortitude

Whilst there are many qualities that contribute to success, it is often fortitude that underpins achievement rather than simply physical fitness or some other component. The strength of a good Marine is in being a good all rounder and giving their best in the worst of situations. This is dependent on mental stamina and the strength of will. A quality we instill throughout the Marine Cadet Corps

Commando Humour

How better to endure than with humour? One of the four Commando Spirit characteristics, cheerfulness in the face of adversity is made possible only by humour, which although not readily recognized as a quality anywhere else is actually fundamental the way the Corps operates. All ranks across the MCC benefit from adopting this unique trait of the Corps.