Why are the small things important in the military (i.e. haircuts, making beds, correct uniforms)??

For me, details are important. However, it always seems that CSMs are lazy in regards to what they focus on. Every CSM I've met will have a pet peeve that they focus on and let other things go. For instance, this one CSM I was very recently deployed with was all about Eye Pro and mustaches. He wasn't really big on a proper salute or the proper salutation to a Warrant Officer. I'm all about CSMs running around ensuing the standard is upheld, however, every standard is important, not just the ones he cares about.

'Attention to detail' is the first slogan/concept they taught us in Boot Camp. Small things can get you killed on ships. Lazily tighten xx valve and suddenly a pipe bursts somewhere. Improperly tie down an object and suddenly it shifts and kills you. Etc. The small things are important because they engender within you that attention to detail that you need for big things.

Agreed. Attention to detail is an important trait if one is to achieve success.

They are important to keep good order and discipline in a military unit. We tried to compete for being the most Squared Away Marine....And our officers took notice of anyone who was really squared away and who was not. I think it helped when they determined our overall Cutting Score

Vigilance.

The little tasks/things are what get you killed, or save your life. Doing them correctly builds a mentality through repetition which will benefit you in the long run.

Unfortunately, we don't adequately convey this concept to our juniors. The video does a great job of conveying the Philosophy of doing little things. Why it's important. I've always focused on the safety aspect myself, because my tuckas is pretty valuable, and I believe others hold their own in equally high regard.

Little things make up the big things. It is also the indicator of one's level of discipline.

I once asked a BN CSM why all CSMs yell about walking on the grass. This is the answer I got:
There are sidewalks for a reason. If you cut the corner and walk on the grass, what other corners will you cut?

Short and to the point. If you are willing to cut corners on the little stuff, where/when do you stop? How many corners will you cut? How big of a corner will you cut?

I was always told you take care of the little things and the big things fall into place.

It's about being disciplined and paying attention to detail.

Some good comments about not paying attention to the little things that get you killed. The mechanism is that humans are trained and conditioned to perform a duty. Problem is to recognize it early enough to act/react and that's what keeps you alive. Looking at the big picture and seeing how all the pieces should fit and something out of place is an indicator. So we do it because it's a brain recognition and processing thing that requires repetition lest we get stale. A better solution hasn't been developed yet. Sometime in the future when we're plugged into the Matrix?

This will be a repeat: but attention to detail matters. A culture that inculcates, that sets itself up for success. in the military context it saves lives.