The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves: About a Paradox and Giving Up

[DISCLAIMER]

When enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1996-2007), assigned to Marine Corps Base Quantico when undergoing Marine Security Guard training (1999), I saw a Marine wearing a t-shirt with the phrase The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.

According to one source, the etiology of this phrase is inconclusive. Additionally, another source states of the expression:

Wikipedia explains the well-known slogan like this:

‘The beatings will continue until morale improves’ is a famous quotation of unknown origin. It literally denotes how morale, such as within a military unit or other hierarchical environment, will be improved through the use of punishment. More importantly, the phrase is used sarcastically to indicate the counterproductive nature of such punishment or excessive control over subordinates such as staff in the workplace or children living at home.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), morale is defined as “the level of enthusiasm, sense of purpose, or confidence in the worthiness of a goal that can affect a person’s or a group’s overall performance in working toward that goal, especially when under pressure.”

When serving in the Marine Corps, I found that it wasn’t uncommon for military members to use irreverent communication about challenges faced with morale. After all, Marines were continuously reminded that mission accomplishment was the paramount goal of the Corps.

Second to that was troop welfare. Therefore, there was no ambiguity about how little a junior Marine’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”) mattered to senior Marines and officers. Stated bluntly, the Corps didn’t give a fuck about our well-being!

I, too, stopped giving a fuck about the Corps at some point. Midway through my military service, after having experienced administrative and legal problems, I was placed on voluntary appellate leave. I then gained employment at Pantex, in the field of nuclear security (2004-2008).

To my surprise, the morale among the paramilitary civilian Federal Protective Force at Pantex was actually worse than what I encountered in the Marine Corps! It was so lacking that management officials commissioned a consultant service to assess the morale issue.

A work buddy (“Bosco”), with whom I spent time at shooting ranges, laughed when he saw my t-shirt with the phrase The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves. I figured that display of a paradox was a reasonable form of mockery, as the APA thusly defines this term:

[A] surprising or self-contradictory statement that may nevertheless be true. In philosophy, paradoxes are traditionally classified as logical or semantic.

A logical paradox occurs when apparently valid arguments lead to a conclusion that seems contradictory or absurd. For example: God is omnipotent: Omnipotent beings can do anything: Therefore, God can make a stone so big he cannot move it: Therefore, he is not omnipotent.

A semantic paradox arises from the words in a proposition. For example: This sentence is not true. The language of paradox is particularly common in poetry and religion, where it may be used to disrupt conventional ways of thinking and perceiving.

In both the military and the field of nuclear security, a The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves method of operation was paradoxical. To illustrate this matter, I now present an example in syllogistic form:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

Major premise: If enthusiasm of the group is low (p), then beating [an act of striking with repeated blows, so as to injure or damage] members of the group will improve morale (q).

Minor premise: Enthusiasm of the group is low (p).

Conclusion: Therefore, beating members of the group will improve morale (q).

Although this proposition follows logical form, it isn’t reasonable. For context, in order for a proposal to be considered rational, it empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. Therefore, this syllogistic proposition is irrational.

The absurdity of The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves is somewhat obvious. Assault and battery aren’t what improves morale, any more than does rigid forms of punishment or giving up on individual or collective well-being. With this in mind, I now turn to a book.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

For this blogpost, to give up is to yield control or possession of, and to abandon oneself or others to a particular feeling, influence, or activity. Now, consider that Marcus Aurelius stated, “It’s a disgrace in this life when the soul surrenders first while the body refuses to” (page 389).

In both the military and the field of nuclear security, regarding the matter of mental health, I witnessed many people giving up on themselves and others. From Aurelius’ perspective, their souls surrendered when their bodies carried on. Of this, the authors state (page 389):

Despite his privileges, Marcus Aurelius had a difficult life. The Roman historian Cassius Dio mused that Marcus “did not meet with the good fortune that he deserved, for he was not strong in body and was involved in a multitude of troubles throughout practically his entire reign.” At one point, he was so sick that a rumor spread that he had died—and matters were made worse when his most trusted general used it as an opportunity to declare himself the new emperor.

But throughout these struggles—the years at war, the crippling illnesses, his troubled son—he never gave up. It’s an inspiring example for us to think about today if we get tired, frustrated, or have to deal with some crisis. Here was a guy who had every reason to be angry and bitter, who could have abandoned his principles and lived in luxury or ease, who could have put his responsibilities aside and focused on his own health.

But he never did. His soul stayed strong even after his body became weak. He didn’t give up, right up to the second until his body finally did—when he died near Vienna in 180 AD.

Even when morale was low, Aurelius apparently didn’t give up. From where did his self-motivation stem, if not predominately from his reasoned choice? This is the antithesis of absurdity—such as declaring The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.

In similar fashion, Bosco and I trained in various conditions, with varying degrees of challenge. In the photo above, we attended a shooting range after a thunderstorm. It was hot outside, mosquitos were thick, and the ground was soaked.

I would much rather have remained indoors, as was the case when the left side of the image was captured. However, the imminent danger situations for which we trained wouldn’t necessarily occur during favorable conditions. Therefore, we trained according to reasoned choice.

For context, I stated in a blogpost entitled Depression and Reasoned Choice, “reasoned choice is what causes one’s own outcomes, and that matters outside of such choice aren’t good or evil.” Bosco and I reasonably used chosen suffering to build resilience during challenging times.

This form of rational living provided us a transferable skill from off-site to on-site practice regarding Pantex operations. Whereas morale was low at our workplace, and no amount of proverbial beating was going to remedy the matter, we trained not to give up!

Paradoxically speaking, punishment influences fear, pain, and resentment. Morale relates to satisfaction, trust, and loyalty. It’s highly unlikely that one can force a positive experience with negative actions. Thus, The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves is irrational.

Also, it’s rational to prepare oneself not to adopt an external locus of control. Thus, if morale is low, then you can do something about it—even if only regarding yourself, and not a group of individuals. Perhaps you can do as Bosco and I did, and use rational choice instead of beatings.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Loyalty. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/loyalty

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Morale. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/morale

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Paradox. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/paradox

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Resentment. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/resentment

Causey, M. (2012, September 20). The beatings will continue until morale improves. Federal News Network. Retrieved from https://federalnewsnetwork.com/causey/2012/09/the-beatings-will-continue-until-morale-improves/

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

Hollings, D. (2024, April 4). An honest crisis. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/an-honest-crisis

Hollings, D. (2026, March 8). Apply pressure. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/apply-pressure

Hollings, D. (2025, September 13). Are your actions ruled by reason? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/are-your-actions-ruled-by-reason

Hollings, D. (2025, April 22). Bad ideas deserve to be mocked. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bad-ideas-deserve-to-be-mocked

Hollings, D. (2025, December 2). Being a good person: You cannot perfect the imperfectible. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/being-a-good-person-you-cannot-perfect-the-imperfectible

Hollings, D. (2022, October 24). Chosen suffering. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/chosen-suffering

Hollings, D. (2026, July 9). Common sense: Does the proposition use sound judgment? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/common-sense-does-the-proposition-use-sound-judgment

Hollings, D. (2026, February 19). Conclusions in search of rationale. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/conclusions-in-search-of-rationale

Hollings, D. (2026, February 12). Consciousness: Reach your soul. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/consciousness-reach-your-soul

Hollings, D. (2023, April 22). Control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control

Hollings, D. (2025, October 3). Control and influence: A soft center and coated in a candy shell. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/control-and-influence-a-soft-center-and-coated-in-a-candy-shell

Hollings, D. (2024, October 27). Correlation does not imply causation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/correlation-does-not-imply-causation

Hollings, D. (2025, October 31). Depression and reasoned choice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/depression-and-reasoned-choice

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2026, September 1). Dominance, locus of control, and chauvinism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/dominance-locus-of-control-and-chauvinism

Hollings, D. (2025, May 16). Eff the logic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/eff-the-logic

Hollings, D. (2024, July 10). Empirical should beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/empirical-should-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2026, August 31). Enthusiasm: I have no notes. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/enthusiasm-i-have-no-notes

Hollings, D. (2025, May 20). Evil. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/evil

Hollings, D. (2025, May 15). External things can’t fix internal issues. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/external-things-can-t-fix-internal-issues

Hollings, D. (2026, April 17). Fear, take the wheel. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fear-take-the-wheel

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2025, September 30). Focus energy on your inner life. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/focus-energy-on-your-inner-life

Hollings, D. (2025, November 23). Fortuna: Is it luck or effort? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fortuna-is-it-luck-or-effort

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals

Hollings, D. (2025, September 7). Have to. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/have-to

Hollings, D. (2026, June 6). High and dry: Steering a proverbial ship around unhelpful assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/high-and-dry-steering-a-proverbial-ship-around-unhelpful-assumptions

Hollings, D. (2026, May 24). Higher Learning and class struggle: If there is no struggle there is no progress. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/higher-learning-and-class-struggle-if-there-is-no-struggle-there-is-no-progress

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2025, August 25). I’m tired of everybody playin’ wit’ me, bruh. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/i-m-tired-of-everybody-playin-wit-me-bruh

Hollings, D. (2026, May 26). Idealistic versus realistic: Welcome home. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/idealistic-versus-realistic-welcome-home

Hollings, D. (2025, May 18). Irreverent communication: Use of sarcasm, snark, and cynicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irreverent-communication-use-of-sarcasm-snark-and-cynicism

Hollings, D. (2026, July 10). It’s not the thing itself that troubles you, but only your judgment of it. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/it-s-not-the-thing-itself-that-troubles-you-but-only-your-judgment-of-it

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2026, May 17). Listening to reason through argument: Is the rhetoric of whataboutism persuasive? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/listening-to-reason-through-argument-is-the-rhetoric-of-whataboutism-persuasive

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2023, March 21). Matching bracelets. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/matching-bracelets

Hollings, D. (2022, June 23). Meaningful purpose. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meaningful-purpose

Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health

Hollings, D. (2025, November 16). Mental health, mental illness, and mental disorder. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-health-mental-illness-and-mental-disorder

Hollings, D. (2024, October 5). Mistaking deductive validity for truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mistaking-deductive-validity-for-truth

Hollings, D. (2025, March 16). Modus ponens. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/modus-ponens

Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2026, April 19). Outcome: Victim mentality and playing the victim. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/outcome-victim-mentality-and-playing-the-victim

Hollings, D. (2026, April 20). Overconfidence: To thine own self be true. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/overconfidence-to-thine-own-self-be-true

Hollings, D. (2026, April 26). Pain away: Learned helplessness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/pain-away-learned-helplessness

Hollings, D. (2025, April 9). Perception, action, and will. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perception-action-and-will

Hollings, D. (2025, September 9). Personal responsibility and accountability. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-responsibility-and-accountability

Hollings, D. (2024, July 20). Perspective shift. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perspective-shift

Hollings, D. (2024, March 28). Practice how you perform. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice-how-you-perform

Hollings, D. (2022, November 17). Preparedness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/preparedness

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2026, August 22). Rage, rage disorder, and road rage: Negative, but unhealthy anger and aggression. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rage-rage-disorder-and-road-rage-negative-but-unhealthy-anger-and-aggression

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2026, August 21). Reasoned choice: What can you control? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoned-choice-what-can-you-control

Hollings, D. (2025, February 24). Reinforcement and punishment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reinforcement-and-punishment

Hollings, D. (2024, January 4). Rigid vs. rigorous. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rigid-vs-rigorous

Hollings, D. (2025, January 15). Satisfaction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/satisfaction

Hollings, D. (2026, April 28). Self-motivation: Trying to motivate the unmotivated. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-motivation-trying-to-motivate-the-unmotivated

Hollings, D. (2026, July 19). Semantics: Procedural rationality vs. substantive rationality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/semantics-procedural-rationality-vs-substantive-rationality

Hollings, D. (2026, July 3). Spun by absurdity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/spun-by-absurdity

Hollings, D. (2026, May 31). Standards and principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/standards-and-principles

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2025, October 19). Surprise and embarrassment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/surprise-and-embarrassment

Hollings, D. (2023, October 17). Syllogism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/syllogism

Hollings, D. (2026, May 15). The speed of thoughts and beliefs: Flipping the bird. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-speed-of-thoughts-and-beliefs-flipping-the-bird

Hollings, D. (2026, April 23). The three traditionally identified components of the mind: Affect, cognition, and conation. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-three-traditionally-identified-components-of-the-mind-affect-cognition-and-conation

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2025, April 18). Tolerable FAD. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tolerable-fad

Hollings, D. (2026, August 30). Trust and no take-backs: What is done is done. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/trust-and-no-take-backs-what-is-done-is-done

Hollings, D. (2026, April 24). Virtues of fortitude and resilience. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/virtues-of-fortitude-and-resilience

Hollings, D. (2024, September 29). Well, well, well. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/well-well-well

Hufstetler, J. (2017, February 1). Origin of “the beatings will continue until morale improves”. Stack Exchange Inc. Retrieved from https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/371325/origin-of-the-beatings-will-continue-until-morale-improves

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Assault and battery. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assault_and_battery

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Cassius Dio. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassius_Dio

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Federal Protective Forces. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Protective_Forces

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Imminent peril. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imminent_peril

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Marcus Aurelius. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Marine Corps Base Quantico. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Base_Quantico

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Marine Security Guard. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Security_Guard

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Pantex. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantex

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Paramilitary. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramilitary

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ryan Holiday. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Holiday

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sarcasm. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Shooting range. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_range

Wikipedia. (n.d.). The beatings will continue until morale improves. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_beatings_will_continue_until_morale_improves

Wikipedia. (n.d.). United States Marine Corps. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps