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GERTZ: Marine Gunfight Rules
The Washington Times ^ | February 7, 2003 | Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough

Posted on 02/07/2003 8:04:07 AM PST by RicocheT

With U.S. military forces ready for war with Iraq, troops around the nation are preparing to ship out for the Middle East. The Marines have taken a lighter look at some rules of ground combat, and we obtained a copy of them.

Among the 24 rules are such gems as, No. 1: "Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns," and, No. 2, "Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive."

Rule No. 7 is: "In 10 years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived." And No. 8: "If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading and running."

Rule No. 10 addresses a worst-case scenario: "Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty." And No. 11: "Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose."

As for prisoners, the rule is: Be careful. No 18: "Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them)."

And advice for warriors in combat, Nos. 21 and 22: "Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one."

In a dig at other services, the Marines offer this: "U.S. Navy rules: 1. Adopt an aggressive offshore posture. 2. Send the Marines. 3. Drink Coffee."

Army rules: "Show up after fight to provide security and help hand out food to all of the displaced civilians."

Air Force rules: "Watch this all on cable in a BOQ [Bachelor Officers´ Quarters] while drinking a beer."

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; iraq; marines
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Good rules to LIVE by.
1 posted on 02/07/2003 8:04:08 AM PST by RicocheT
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To: RicocheT
I'd like to see someone post the entire list, in numerical order.
2 posted on 02/07/2003 8:05:53 AM PST by Petronski (I'm not always cranky.)
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To: Petronski
I'll second that! They sound like rules to live (or survive at least) by.
3 posted on 02/07/2003 8:09:37 AM PST by zeugma (If you use microsoft produts, you are feeding the beast.)
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To: Petronski
USMC Rules For Gun Fighting

1-Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

2-Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

3-Only hits count. A close miss is still a miss.

4-If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

5-Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movements are preferred.)

6-If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

7-In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics.

8-They will only remember who lived.

9-If you are not shooting, you should be communic- ating, reloading, and running.

10-Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

11-Use a gun that works EVERY TIME.

12-Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

13-Always cheat = always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

14-Have a plan.

15-Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

16-Use cover and concealment as much as possible.

17-Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

18-Don't drop your guard.

19-Always tactically reload and threat scan 360 degrees.

20-Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

21-Decide to be AGGRESSIVE enough, QUICKLY enough.

22-The faster you finish the fight, the less shot up you will get.

23-Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

24-Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

25-Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4".

Navy Rules for Gun Fighting

1-Go to Sea

2-Send the Marines

3-Drink Coffee

4 posted on 02/07/2003 8:12:34 AM PST by SJackson
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To: Petronski
USMC Rules OF Engagement

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

9.5. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."

10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

12. Have a plan.

13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. The visible target should be in FRONT of your gun.

15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

16. Don't drop your guard.

17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

21. Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4."

5 posted on 02/07/2003 8:16:05 AM PST by leadpencil1
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To: Petronski
Found it!

USMC Rules For Gunfighting

  1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

  2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

  3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

  4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

  5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

  6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

  7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

  8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.

  9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.
    9.5 Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."

  10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

  11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

  12. Have a plan.

  13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

  14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

  15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

  16. Don't drop your guard.

  17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

  18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

  19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

  20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

  21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

  22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

  23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

  24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a "4."


6 posted on 02/07/2003 8:18:46 AM PST by zeugma (If you use microsoft produts, you are feeding the beast.)
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To: SJackson
you beat me to it.....
7 posted on 02/07/2003 8:19:25 AM PST by leadpencil1
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To: RicocheT
Semper fi!
8 posted on 02/07/2003 8:22:58 AM PST by clintonh8r (Guten tag.)
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To: zeugma
Rule 24 should pretty much settle the argument as to whether Marines prefer the 1911 Colt over the Beretta 9mm
9 posted on 02/07/2003 8:27:26 AM PST by Mr. Lucky
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To: RicocheT
#26 when your ammo is low and your about to get overrun call in the US Airforce for air support.
10 posted on 02/07/2003 8:36:39 AM PST by arly
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To: RicocheT
No. 1: "Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns

Things have definately changed from the OLD days. Back when, no self-respecting Marine (or combat soldier) would ever use the term Gun. Rifle, weapon, and maybe Piece were acceptable terms.

I remember the old saying, usually being hollered by a running troop with one arm raised holding his rifle, and his other hand holding something else:

This is my Rifle
This is my Gun
One is for killing
The other's for fun.

11 posted on 02/07/2003 8:40:08 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage?
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To: arly
We prefer to rely on our own air but the air force will do if all else fails.
12 posted on 02/07/2003 8:43:17 AM PST by flyer182
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bfl
13 posted on 02/07/2003 8:45:06 AM PST by HighRoadToChina (Never Again!)
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To: arly
#27 When it's raining, foggy, hazy, or you need fire support right now, call in the Artillery.
14 posted on 02/07/2003 8:47:40 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage?
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To: RicocheT
I hope our Marines know how much much pride and confidence we have in them. Stateside, we will help their waiting families any chance we get.

The American response to Pan-Islam's axis of terror's declaration of war on 9/11 is in our hearts.

Our enemy will look like civilians as they fight and hide that way. Allah, god of this death cult, will have to sort out his own.

15 posted on 02/07/2003 8:58:31 AM PST by SevenDaysInMay
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To: SevenDaysInMay
Thank God when trouble is on the horizon, America has such fine young warriors as the Marines, the 101st Airborne and the 10th Mountain Division. If I left out some other fine units, sorry, feel free to add them to my list.
16 posted on 02/07/2003 9:08:58 AM PST by RicocheT
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
Amen ... a good dose of artilery sure comes in handy too!

God Bless the Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines!

17 posted on 02/07/2003 9:09:20 AM PST by arly
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To: Mr. Lucky
Rule 24 should pretty much settle the argument as to whether Marines prefer the 1911 Colt over the Beretta 9mm

Yes indeed! When it gets hot at "rock chuckin'" distance, it is a decided advantage to have the bigger rocks.

18 posted on 02/07/2003 9:17:36 AM PST by eskimo
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
That's because these rules were taken from Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch. There's also a sprinkling of Robert Heinlein.
19 posted on 02/07/2003 9:19:53 AM PST by Shooter 2.5
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To: RicocheT; *bang_list
Cool gun stuff belongs on the *Bang_List. Don't forget the *.
20 posted on 02/07/2003 9:26:44 AM PST by Shooter 2.5
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