 Leaders, the United States Marine Corps was formed in 1775. Two centuries later, Ronald Reagan said, some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem. More recently, author and executive Nate Fick wrote that hardness was the supreme virtue among recon Marines. The greatest compliment one could pay to one other was to say he was hard. Hardness wasn't toughness, nor was it courage, although both were part of it. Hardness was the ability to face an overwhelming situation with aplomb, smile calmly at it, and then triumph through sheer professional pride. For 244 years, Marine hardness ensured and continues to ensure that each and every Marine knowingly makes a difference in the world. Happy birthday Marines. Lead well this week.