How can noncommissioned officers develop subordinate leaders who follow and demonstrate the Marine Corps leadership traits and principles?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) play a crucial role in developing subordinate leaders within the Marine Corps who embody the leadership traits and principles. To achieve this, NCOs can employ several strategies and approaches that foster a culture of leadership development. Here are some effective ways NCOs can develop subordinate leaders who follow and demonstrate the Marine Corps leadership traits and principles:
Lead by Example: NCOs must consistently exemplify the leadership traits and principles in their own behavior. By demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and accountability, NCOs set a standard for their subordinates to emulate. Leading by example is a powerful way to instill these qualities in future leaders.
Provide Mentorship: NCOs should actively engage in one-on-one mentorship with their subordinates. This includes regular discussions about leadership, professional growth, and personal development. By investing time and effort into understanding their subordinates’ strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, NCOs can tailor their mentorship to help individuals develop as leaders.
Teach and Train: NCOs should conduct regular training sessions on Marine Corps leadership traits and principles. This can include classroom instruction, practical exercises, and scenario-based training. By providing a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, NCOs equip their subordinates with the tools necessary to lead effectively.
Delegate Responsibilities: NCOs should delegate appropriate responsibilities to their subordinates, giving them opportunities to practice leadership. Assigning tasks that align with their skill level and challenging them to take on progressively more significant roles builds confidence and strengthens leadership abilities. This approach also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
Encourage Decision-Making: NCOs should create an environment that encourages subordinates to make decisions and take initiative. By empowering individuals to analyze situations, make sound judgments, and take responsibility for their actions, NCOs cultivate critical thinking skills and develop confident leaders who can adapt to changing circumstances.
Foster Teamwork and Camaraderie: NCOs should encourage collaboration and teamwork among subordinates. Providing opportunities for them to work together on projects, exercises, or deployments builds cohesion and teaches the importance of effective communication, trust, and mutual respect. Developing strong bonds within the unit enhances overall unit performance and cultivates leaders who value teamwork.
Provide Feedback and Recognition: NCOs should regularly provide constructive feedback to their subordinates, highlighting areas of improvement and recognizing their accomplishments. By offering specific feedback on leadership performance, NCOs help individuals understand their strengths and areas for growth. Recognizing and rewarding exceptional leadership reinforces positive behaviors and motivates further development.
Continual Professional Development: NCOs must emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. Encouraging subordinates to pursue additional training, attend leadership courses, and engage in self-study allows them to broaden their knowledge base and refine their leadership skills.
In conclusion, NCOs have a significant responsibility in developing subordinate leaders who embody the Marine Corps leadership traits and principles. By leading by example, providing mentorship, teaching and training, delegating responsibilities, encouraging decision-making, fostering teamwork, providing feedback, and emphasizing professional development, NCOs can effectively shape future leaders who uphold the values of the Marine Corps.
