2025 CMC Reading List: Foundational

Leading Marines describes the leadership philosophy that distinguishes the U.S. Marine Corps. This publication is not meant to be a “how to” guide on leadership, rather, it provides broad guidance in the form of concepts and values. Leading Marines is meant to be read from cover to cover and its three chapters have a natural progression. Chapter 1 describes our ethos—who we are and what we do for our Nation. Building on that understanding, Chapter 2 covers the foundations of Marine Corps leadership and Chapter 3 addresses overcoming leadership challenges.

This publication is focused on one of our key leadership principles: know your Marines and look out for their welfare. It is a companion to Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 6-10, "Leading Marines, and provides more detail to leaders about how to take care of their Marines through the five phases of the transformation process. It is a leadership tool that provides sound examples and methods for success.

This doctrinal publication focuses on logistics. It describes the theory and philosophy of military logistics as practiced by the United States Marine Corps. It provides Marines a conceptual framework for understanding how logistics is an essential aspect of every military operation. The Marine Corps’ view of logistics is based on our common understanding of the nature of war, our role in the joint force, and our warfighting philosophy as described in Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 1, Warfighting.

Get it: Ebook | USMC Audiobook
Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 3, Expeditionary Operations, describes key expeditionary concepts and establishes doctrine for the conduct of military operations by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Get it: Ebook | USMC Audiobook
Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication (MCDP) 2, Intelligence, describes the theory and philosophy of intelligence as practiced by the United States Marine Corps. It provides Marines a conceptual framework for understanding and conducting effective intelligence activities. The Marine Corps' view of intelligence is based on our common understanding of the nature of war and on our warfighting philosophy as described in MCDP 1, Warfighting.

Get it: Ebook | USMC Audiobook
Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1-4, Competing, makes Marines aware that from “recruitment to retirement,” they are an integral part of the Nation’s strategic competition with other actors and are always competing, even when they are not fighting in combat. It increases understanding to enable creativity. Once Marines understand the nature and form of competition, their innovative spirit will lead to the development of new kinds of competitive advantages. This publication expands the discussion on how and where Marines fit into the continuum and where to look for their natural partners in competition.

Get it: Ebook | USMC Audiobook
Since Fleet Marine Force Manual 1, Warfighting, was first published in 1989, it has had a significant impact both inside and outside the Marine Corps. That manual has changed the way Marines think about warfare. It has caused energetic debate and has been translated into several foreign languages, issued by foreign militaries, and published commercially. It has strongly influenced the development of doctrine by our sister Services. Our current naval doctrine is based on the tenets of maneuver warfare as described in that publication. Current and emerging concepts such as operational maneuver from the sea derive their doctrinal foundation from the philosophy contained in Warfighting. Our philosophy of warfighting, as described in the manual, is in consonance with joint doctrine, contributing to our ability to operate harmoniously with the other Services.

Get it: Archives.gov | National Constitution Center
The founding document of America. The Constitution of the United States contains describes the structure an operation of the government, the relationship between the federal government and the states, and the amendment and ratification processes.