Great information. Good read. A good gift for someone planing on going in.

This book is probably on every Marine NCOs bookshelf or in their footlockers and for good reasons. The book is by the same author of the Marine Officers Guide, and has alot of the information found in that book, but there is also alot of unique information. Its chapters are titled:The Noncommissioned Officer, The Marine Corps, The Profession of Arms, Leadership, Traditions Flags Decorations and History, Posts and Stations, Reserves, Military Justice, Uniforms, Courtesy and Ceremonies, Service Afloat(Sea Service/Duty), Individual Administration, Pay Allowances and Travel, and Personal Affairs. If you are going to be a Marine and plan on becoming a NCO(corporal and above), or are going to become a commissioned officer, you have to get this book.

I imagine this book to be an invaluable resource for serving USMC officers, whether fresh out of The Basic School or with many years of service. But it has another use too: as a guide to the Corps for future Marines, and for non-Marines like me.

At first blush, much of the information in this book may seem obscure or even irrelevant for people not making a career in the Marine Corps: information about personnel folders and fitness reports, how to apply for and receive transit insurance, or how to render salutes when small boats pass close aboard. But even in these details, a sense of what it means to be a Marine comes through loud and clear.

For a non-Marine, the real value of this volume lies in two areas: (1) its explanations of the history and traditions of the Corps (Marines are often said to be the most history-conscious of all the services), and (2) the explanation of the role the Corps plays in America's military machine, including how the Corps is structured, trained, stationed, and led.

Non-Marines can also find much merit in the sections on the attributes of a leader, dealing with subordinates, the useful, if somewhat brief, bibliography, and the glossary of common USMC terms and slang.

If you are, or plan to be, a Marine officer, absolutely read this book.

If you're not a Marine, but are interested in the Corps, its history or its present functions, I recommend this guide very highly.

At one point, the author quotes General John A. Lejeune: 'The future success of the Marine Corps depends on two factors: first, an efficient performance of all the 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.' LtCol Estes admirably succeeds in 'bringing this efficiency to the proper attention' of any civilian interested enough in the Corps to pick up this most valuable book.

This book which is written by retired Lt. Col. Kenneth W. Estes(who also wrote the Handbook for Marine NCOs)is filled with things officers should know. I am sure some of the stuff is taught at OCS and TBS, but some probably isn't. Has chapters like History, Traditions, Bases and Stations, Pay, Sea Service, Marine Corps Reserve, Leadership, Arriving at Your First Assignment, Personal Administration and Affairs, Social Life, Military Justice, and others. Its hardcover, and just shy of 500 pages. I personally liked the section that describes your typical career pattern as an officer.