Which leadership principle instructs leaders to know their Marines and look out for their welfare?

• A. Know your Marines and look out for their welfare
• B. Keep your Marines informed
• C. Set the example
• D. Make sound and timely decisions

Answer: (A)

Knowing your Marines and looking out for their welfare centers on building trust and ensuring readiness by understanding who your Marines are, what they need to succeed, and how their well-being affects performance. When a leader takes the time to know each Marine—their strengths, challenges, family situation, and career goals—they can tailor guidance, mentorship, and opportunities, and spot signs of stress or morale issues early. This personal attention helps maintain safety, motivation, and unit cohesion, which are essential for mission success.

Keeping your Marines informed is about clear communication of plans and expectations, which is crucial for alignment and readiness. Setting the example emphasizes leading by personal conduct and standards. Making sound and timely decisions focuses on judgment under pressure. While all are important, the principle that directly addresses caring for the Marines’ welfare is the one about knowing them and looking out for their well-being.