Corps Values

Marines banish Confederate flag, symbols from bases

America’s oldest fighting force said Friday there is no room for what is commonly called the Confederate battle flag in the U.S. Marine Corps.

An order directs Marine commanders to find and remove the flag from workplaces, common-access areas and public areas of all bases. Private quarters are exempt.

“The Marine Corps shall remove the Confederate battle flag from all installation public spaces and work areas in order to support our core values, ensure unit cohesion and security, and preserve good order and discipline,” the order reads.

Friday’s action applies to the flag itself, clothing, bumper stickers, mugs or anything else with the image. It formalizes a directive issued by the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David Berger, in April.

“The Confederate battle flag has all too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive beliefs have no place in our Corps,” the Marines posted Friday on the service’s official Twitter account.

No doubt some who view the flag as more heritage than hate won’t be happy about the ban. But the Marine Corps’ rationale is hard to dispute. Like other branches of the military, the Corps is made up of people from all races, religions and backgrounds. Anything that divides those servicemen and women has the potential to hurt their vital mission. The Marines are deeply rooted in tradition, but national security demands they always be forward thinking.

In our view, the Corps’ leadership is best positioned to make that call and the order should be respected and followed.

The Marine Corps is the first service branch to ban public displays of the Confederate banner. We are sure the other branches are paying close attention.