The Commandant's Professional Reading List (CPRL)

Discover the revamped CPRL, explore standout titles, and uncover lessons that shape Marines past and present. Profession of Arms (Part 1)

The Marine Corps Reading List has long been the go-to destination for organized and directive reading. In 2020, General Berger restructured it into the Commandant’s Professional Reading List (CPRL), shifting from rank-based recommendations to five categories:

• Commandant’s Choice

• Profession of Arms

• Innovation

• Leadership

• Strategy

The previous list, organized by rank, remains a valuable resource with over 100 book titles. While we link books to Amazon for convenience, they are often available for free through DoD libraries, websites, or PDFs. Readers of The Military Reading Room may find these foundational titles worth exploring. We plan to address them in 2025 after we discuss the newer list.

So let's get started.

CMC Choice

The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare

By Christian Brose