Sociological Analysis: Semper Fi: Always Faithful

Semper Fi: Always Faithful How is the community defined in this case? How does the culture of the community contribute to the development of the situation? The military tends to be a highly insular culture that is resistant to criticism by outsiders. This is particularly true of elite units such as the Marines. Although the Marines view themselves as fighting for America's freedoms, they also see themselves as possessing unique attributes as a core that must be protected because others from the outside do not understand their work ethic.

This is depicted as having a critical role in the cover-up of the water contamination over the course of the documentary. The focus is not on doing what is right but upon protecting the reputation of the Marines. Q2. Name 3 strengths and 3 barriers of the culture of this community. Of course, even though in the film it is portrayed as a serious weakness, there are certain strengths to this attitude of the Marines. Having the determination to protect their members and reputation creates a sense of brotherhood.

Members of the community are literally willing to give up their lives for their unit and for the cause they are fighting for. As can be seen in the character of Jerry, the attitude of the Marines fosters a mentality of bravery and self-sacrifice far beyond that of an ordinary person not indoctrinated into its work ethic. However, communities such as the Marines are also extremely reluctant to take criticism from outsiders.

Much as people speak about the blue wall of silence that characterizes police officers, there is a similar attitude amongst Marines when it comes to criticizing any actions of the organization, no matter how negative. Members are also very reluctant to verbalize any criticism of superior officers, no matter how justified it might be. This made investigating the water contamination outlined in the film particularly challenging.

A refusal to speak is particularly characteristic in regards to matters of health, given the desire of many Marines to seem impervious to any type of physical pain. This could have contributed to the lack of reporting of the early incidences of the cancer affected the community: the Marines were unwilling to be more outspoken about their health conditions. A final problem is hostility to the media in particular which could have brought the contamination to light far sooner, had it affected another community.

In the past, the media has engaged in negative reporting of a number of military actions, spanning from the treatment of prisoners of war to sexual abuse. Marines were highly resistant to using the media as a tool to expose the environmental hazard. Q3. Identify 3 individuals, groups or institutions that a social worker would identify as stakeholders in this organizing effort? Explains what each entity stands to gain or lose.

First and foremost, the Marines themselves affected by the water contamination were clearly stakeholders: their lives and the lives of their families were materially affected by the contamination. They stand to win the most as the cause of their health problems.