The Devine Way is the story of a station of marines and its new leader looking for a “few good men”. Located in the heart of New York City, these marines remain in constant contact 365 days a year in the battle for enlistments. Many have gone to ruin in this arena. The new commander is a tank officer, a non-volunteer with no recruiting experience! He walks into a horrible setting, quickly becoming mired in the tangle of a decimated staff, a dirty pool of candidates, and a severe recruiter shortage.

Nearly overwhelmed at the start, Jim quickly fights for his survival. He struggles to comprehend the scope and magnitude of his new and unfamiliar duties. Pressing forward, Devine quickly learns the eccentricities the hard way: there is no backup, support, or sympathy. Distractions usually are severe and hit hard, and he must never lose sight of the monster—his monthly mission. He must organize and motivate what he has in his new command and himself!

Devine maneuvers daily through the hazards of an unyielding, unforgiving environment in the city, looking for those qualified candidates for the mission every month. This mission is quantifiable! Succinctly stated, he is a hero or a zero at its end. Too many zeros equal an unsuccessful tour and career. Marine Corps recruiting is all about the results, and the pressure to produce remains extreme and unending.

From meager beginnings, buried under an avalanche of minutia and discharges, Devine escapes to the streets and begins leading the only way he knows—alongside his marines! He suffers key losses early and quickly learns to work outside the box, and when necessary, he fixes bayonets!

While on the surface, this is a story about recruiting marines in New York; it is about so much more. It is a book about leadership, management, goal setting, and mission accomplishment. There are many lessons and messages to be learned from the experiences of “Major Jim Devine”. The story demonstrates many keys to success in any endeavor, field, or vocation. Its message can apply to all of us, both personally and professionally.