The United States Marines are some of the world’s most formidable, capable, and feared warriors. From Belleau Wood to Iwo Jima, the USMC has led the charge in some of the world’s most famous and bloody battles. With such an impressive track record of victories, it’s no surprise that the Marine Corps is renowned around the world for its efficacy in war.

Being a Marine isn’t just about going into combat and winning battles – it’s a way of life. From the way they exercise to how they carry themselves, Marines are a unique breed of warrior. Whether or not you dream of joining the ranks of the Marine Corps, learning how to live like a Marine will help you live a more meaningful and disciplined life. In this OA guide, we’ll be going over four strategies that you can apply today to live like a Marine. 

Let’s get started – OORAH!

The life of a Marine, whether he is in garrison or on deployment, is extremely simple. His daily schedule consists largely of only three things: eating, training, and performing duties. But why would the Marine Corps want to make its warriors’ lives so plain and dull? Because a simple life is a disciplined and meaningful one. 

By boiling life down to its essentials, Marines learn the difference between what is and isn't critical to life. When their daily lives are simplified, Marines can focus on doing the things that make them effective warriors. This lifestyle also prepares them for the hardships they’ll face in the field – making them more resilient and effective on missions. 

Living a simple life doesn’t mean you have to eat plain food and never have any enjoyment. Instead, it involves understanding and discerning between the things that you need in life and the things that you just want. You can immediately start simplifying your life by doing things like sticking to a daily routine, meal prepping, working out every day, and taking cold showers. Dispense with the luxuries of civilian life – simplify your life, and it will change for the better!

The Marine Corps is known for its exemplary fitness standards – boasting some of the most physically capable warriors in the world. From the moment an aspiring Marine enters recruit training, he is subjected to constant PT. Everything in recruit training – from the daily tasks to punishments – is focused on physical fitness.

Once a recruit officially becomes a Marine, they will begin their duties. Although the frequency of PT eases up slightly, the intensity remains high – with Marines doing physical training at least once per day. 

If you want to improve your physical and mental performance, doing light workouts a few times per week won’t cut it. Yes, resting is crucial to preventing injuries and increasing your longevity, but your average workout must be intense. Whether you’re working on strength or endurance, make an effort to challenge yourself in every training session – you’ll get physically stronger while also developing the mental fortitude you need to overcome struggle and perform in challenging scenarios.

Being fit and capable isn’t enough to cut it as a Marine. The USMC demands that its warriors are both mentally and physically tough. Marines deploy into some of the world’s most dynamic and violent combat zones. They must be prepared to perform under pressure and accomplish their mission even when things get tough. 

In the USMC, aspiring Marines develop toughness by undergoing a grueling recruit training course that pushes their minds and bodies to the limit. By surviving daily struggles, Marines learn that they can withstand much more pain and discomfort than they ever thought possible. This gives them the confidence they need to carry out the most grueling missions and succeed against all odds.

Developing your mental and physical toughness can be complicated. But at its core, it involves subjecting yourself to daily struggle and regularly overcoming challenges. If you want to learn specific tips and strategies to make your body mighty, click here to read our OA guide, How to Harden Your Body for Selection.

On his own, a Marine is a formidable and capable warrior. But in a team, Marines are a nearly unstoppable force. Every aspect of USMC recruit training is focused on weeding out weak recruits that will become liabilities in the field. The Corps ensures that all of its Marines are capable of not only taking care of themselves but also carrying the weight of their team.

Marines are effective in the field because their teams consist of only the toughest, fittest, most disciplined, and capable warriors. Together, they can overcome an enemy and accomplish their mission despite being outnumbered or underequipped. 

If you want to start living like a Marine, you must surround yourself with winners – high-performers who will push and inspire you to improve. We’ve said this before, we’ll say it again: if you’re the best person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Unfortunately, finding a curated community of driven, hard-working individuals can be challenging. That’s where we come in! When you become an OA Aspiring Operator, you get instant access to our 900+ member community of future, current, and retired special forces operators. You also unlock many other benefits like our exclusive SOF podcasts, weekly accountability group, and much more! Visit our membership packages page and get started on the path today.