This is my rifle
In observance of the 239th birthday of the United States Marine Corps -- November 10, 1776-2014 -- printed here is an excerpt from, "Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines," by Marion F. Sturkey:
"In boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, or San Diego, California, and in the Basic Officer School at Quantico, Virginia, no one escapes from the Rifleman's Creed. Every Marine is trained, first and foremost, as a rifleman, for it is the rifleman who must close with and destroy the enemy. The rifleman remains the most basic tenet of Marine Corps doctrine. All else revolves around him. Marine Aviation, Marine Armor, Marine Artillery and all supporting arms and war-fighting assets exist to support the rifleman. It is believed that Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC, authored the creed shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. It is commonly known as the Rifleman's Creed, but it has also been called 'My Rifle: The Creed of a United States Marine.' Every Marine is expected to live by the creed:"
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My rifle is my
best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My rifle, without
me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I
must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him
before he shoots me. I will...
My rifle and I
know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst,
nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...
My rifle is human,
even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will
learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and
its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will...
Before God, I
swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the
masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no
enemy, but peace!
16 comments:
I agree with you, The Happy Anniversary for the Marines!
Just did see "The Great Raid# from 2005. War film about the Raid at Cabanatuan on the island of Luzon, Philippines during World War II.
Plot;American forces were closing in on the Japanese-occupied Philippines. The Japanese held around 500 American prisoners who had survived the Bataan Death March in a notorious POW camp at Cabanatuan and subjected them to brutal treatment and summary execution.
A great movie!
Ok..Take care Fram!Here its still heavy raining and thundering!hope you have better weather!
Lots of hugs.Anita
Yes, Anita. Thank you. Semper Fidelis.
The film you mention is about an U.S. Army operation, not about the Marine Corps, but since tomorrow -- Tuesday, November 11 -- is Veterans Day/Armistice Day/Remembrance Day, the film and the rescue mission it commemorates are very appropriate for it.
I would gladly trade weather with you since I am in the midst of the first snowstorm of the season. It is predicted a foot of snow could be on the ground by the time it ends Tuesday afternoon. Then, a cold wave will follow the snow. "Old Man Winter" has arrived in style and in force here.
Thank you again, Anita. It is always enjoyable to have you visit me and leave your greetings.
Una grán entrada sobre su fusil y la marina!!
Gracias por compartir
Abrazos
Thank you, very much, Victoria, for your kind words. Semper Fidelis.
I can assure you my Marine Corps time was enlightening, fascinating and memorable beyond description. It was an experience never to be forgotten, and an everlasting source of strength and self-confidence.
By the way, I think Victoria is a lovely name.
Então Fram, pelo que eu li e entendi os atiradores tem essa crença, amar seu rifle, e o tem como parte da família, como irmão.
Acredito que todos os que servem o seu País com dedicação, o defende assim com garras, dentes, unhas e rifle risos.
Acho muito bonito quando o soldado é fiel ao seu País. Ter essa convicção, essa crença, esse amor ao seu rifle. Mais acho que a guerra é muito triste, pessoas inocentem morrem nessas batalhas, deixando as famílias. Muitas dores!! Jovem que nem chegou a viver direito estão nessas guerrilhas, acho que não poderiam ser obrigado a lutar se não quisessem. O mundo precisa de paz, mas os Países também precisam de proteção. É meio complicado!
Essa imagem é muito bonita, os rifles também, são de encher os olhos pela beleza.
O vídeo é o retrato da guerra, uma adrenalina muito louca.
O Google traduz muito bem seu blog. Eu uso sempre pra ler outros idiomas, suas notas.
Uma ótima viagem!
Ótima semana!
Little more than a week ago, Smareis, I began my reply to your comment at another post this way: Day one of this brief journey is drawing near its end with me at a computer, as I am most days. The difference today is that I am in an unfamiliar town, sitting in an unfamiliar room, at an unfamiliar table and on an unfamiliar chair. But, my habit of a cup of coffee on one side of me and my latest drink of choice -- half Southern Comfort / half brandy -- on the other side of me is present.
Déjà vu. Here we are again. Another brief trip. This time, I might not be home until Saturday.
As for this post, I assume there are some, perhaps many, who do not like it or object to it. You are right. War and the military are complicated. Death and destruction are the immediate consequences of war, but, if circumstances are right, peace and freedom are the end result.
There was a film a few years ago entitled, "A Few Good Men." A character in it, Colonel Nathan Jessup, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, uttered these words: "Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it?"
Like it or not, that is the way of the world.
I joined the Marine Corps near the end of my eighteenth year on earth, but that was not my first experience with "my rifle." Nearly a year earlier, I had a four-month excursion with a para-military force. Maybe, I will write about it sometime. I wanted this and did this because I was like many boys in many countries during many eras throughout history: I was a bit of a romantic fool. I also did it because I wanted to experience absolutely everything in life there is to experience -- both the good and the bad. As I have written in previous posts, I think I pretty much had accomplished that in one form or another by the time I was twenty-five.
I picked the Marine Corps because, in the view of many, including me, it is the best all-round fighting force on the face of the planet.
Yes, there is a certain splendor to bright uniforms and marching troops which masks their true purpose. The photograph reveals that concept perfectly. The second video, especially, shows all elements of the Marine Corps -- forces coming from the air and the sea to the land in shock and awe. But, they always have come to guard and to protect, never to conquer or to subjugate. That is the difference between a "good war" and an "evil war."
I am glad you have come to read my post and to leave your words, Smareis. Thank you ....
Cracking post. A lot of feeling running through it. And to think that when I was in year 11, sixteen years old, I could pull a rifle apart with my eyes closed. In the summer of that year and as part of my military training (well, the same every student in my school had to go through) I got 96 points out of 100 in shooting. I remember my instructor saying very quietly to me at the end: You have a career as a sniper in front of you, son. If you want. You have patience and you don't rush your weapon." Your post reminded of what would have been had I gone down that route, an alternative of which was also open to me through translation and interpreting. It was a year later than some top official from the government came to see us Year 12 students and tried his very best to get us enthused about the army and the various options within it. In my case it could have been a major in English and a career as a translator and interpreter for the Cuban army and state department. But you know what, mate. I love the way my other life, this life, turned out.
Second part of the story about shooting. Shortly after I relocated to the UK my wife, our son (my daughter had not been born yet), a friend of my wife's and her friend's husband went together to a fair. As if by magic I felt a call to the stall fwith the rifles and the pellets and I tried my luck. I hit every single target in sight and won a few teddies for my wife and son. :-)
Seems I would have been a good sniper after all.
Greetings from London.
I am not sure, but I wonder if I should echo the cliché: Do not judge a book by its cover.
The content of your comment was a surprise, CiL, although I do recall you mentioning some experience with rifles in your past. I also have some memory of knowing that Cuban youth were required a certain amount of military training after the advent of El Commandante. But, I cannot recall where or when I would have gained such information.
I grew up with firearms, and began my own collection with a .22 caliber rifle with a telescopic sight mounted upon it. As a consequence, I became extremely proficient with a scoped rifle both in terms of accuracy and speed. On the other side of the coin, I would call myself average when firing a rifle with open sights. My real forte is the handgun. This "gift" seems to come naturally, and extends not only to accuracy and speed, but a talent to score from rather extreme ranges -- ranges beyond normal ability with a handgun.
Under the category of we live in a world of fascinating twists and turns, I would ask that sometime when you are on your computer and in a leisurely mood, that you look up Alpha 66. I will say no more at the moment, but, another time, perhaps, we will continue this conversation along those lines.
My thoughts about life and living wander in many directions, but most of the time I think we all go through life in more-or-less a pre-destined mode -- being where we are meant to be, doing what we were designed to do, crossing paths with those whose stars are aligned in some manner with our own. In any case, I much prefer you where you are rather than carrying a rifle or performing other tasks for the Castro brothers.
Thank you, for your appearance and words, CiL. You know? I never have been to a shooting gallery. I need to put that on my list of "targets" yet to reach.
Wow, 239 años, la marina de USA es conocida en todo el mundo.
Yes, Boris, the United States Marine Corps is widely known for its traditions and esprit de corps.
And, if I may be so bold: The "ancient" Athenians were required to perform two years of military service. I believe this should be the pattern for any and all nations so that their citizens gain a better understanding of reality and the ways of the world.
Thank you, Boris, for your appearance here and for your words. I appreciate your presence.
I used to go shooting when I was little, like 8-9 years old. By the time I got to college I was a very good shooter. I think my aversion to weapons started in the wake of the Angolan war with the first coffins coming back. We lost around 20,000 troops there, mate, although the official account put the figure at around 2,000. That's when I began to see most wars as a waste of time. It was a surprise even to myself that I took that pellet gun in that fair when I came to live in the UK. I think it was a surprise even to my wife who had always seen me as a peaceful guy. She, her friend and her frien'ds husband were also surprised at my accuracy.
Guns, I never shot. We always shot with rifles. Never used a submachine gun either, which was a pity as that was one of myf avourite weapons when I was little.
Greetings from London.
It is said history is written by the winners. Whether winners or losers, it is, for sure, written by observers seeking a name for themselves, money for themselves, or ego satisfaction for themselves. Unfortunately, it is not often written by the actual participants -- those who witness it.
Cuba paid a heavy price in blood (if not in treasure) for becoming the mercenary army of the Soviet Union in the 1960s, especially for its involvements in the blood baths of Africa and, to a degree, in South America. Fidel would have done better to ally himself with the United States, but his personality (and, maybe, the personality of brother, Raul) did not align with that of the brothers Kennedy -- John and Robert. Fidel made a mistake of epic proportions by consorting with communism, but then, men are men (Kennedys and Castros) and it is not uncommon for them to think with body parts other than their brains -- and, common sense seems to be rare in contrast to vanity. We could have an enjoyable discussion about those moments in history.
As for shooting skills, being a good shot is less than one-half the battle of the actual battle. Studies have been done which indicate few soldiers actually aim to hit their enemies. Most simply shoot in the general direction of their enemies. It is something to think about.
As a more personal side note, CiL, it really is enjoyable to be able to reveal a skill or a talent others are not aware that you possess. I would hope your abilities with firearms make your friends and family feel safer. I would hope you renew your interest in shooting.
Finally, forget machine guns. I have done well with the old Thompson submachine guns, but prefer a semi-automatic rifle. Call me "old-fashioned," but I vote for skill over noise.
Thank you, again, CiL. It is great hearing your voice.
Hello and goodmorning sunshine!thanx for great comment on my blog!
Hope you are all good Fram.
I have to go back to duty.Work work....
Psst..love that saying of a cuban in london..a sniper is waiting patient..calmly...for his goal..just love love that sayng!you can use it in many parts of life!
Ok..here is a song for you i have got it on my brain haha!:))
http://youtu.be/eIHUsajkH7w?list=FL44e6Kib9qCrB6ok119eKrg
Well, you fooled me with your song, Anita. I cannot recall ever having heard of "Patience and Prudence." It is a "cute" song. I even listened to it twice.
The best hunters display "patience and prudence" and possess sort of a self-hypnotic ability. What I have never figured out about myself is why I have great patience at some tasks, but I am the most impatient man on earth when it comes to everyday affairs.
Winter has truly arrived for me. The ground is snow-covered and it is minus eleven Celsius at this moment. That is the warmest it has been today. Uffff ....
I hope your work goes well. Thank you, Anita, for bringing your song for me to hear.
Yea,That song I found out is the intro to the new American Horror movie that goes on Netlix.So you have a bit cold??Wow..i thought Minnesota was a sunny place!Seven minus..brrrrr..Here we have 10 degrees--and sunshine..
i am sitting here with a folder of christmas tours..I am so tired of sitting in this house Christmas by Christmas..This year may be I take my son with me to Geilo Winther Paradise.No old huts but a very Comfort Hotel Best Class..Ohh yes..Or may be travel to the blue sea at Cyprus?any way--I am dreaming away!
Wish you all good Fram..Have a blanket and a Benedictine.Fire in the oven..♥A beautiful girl to talk too.That I wish for you..May all thing become as you wish my friend♥Take care..seee you soon!
If I remember correctly, November and December are the months with the least amount of sunlight in Minnesota -- or, the months with the most cloud-covered days, if you prefer to think of it that way. Right now, it is just past noon local time and the sun is hidden and the temperature is minus thirteen Celsius. It could be worse.
A winter vacation .... hmmmm. Not too many months ago, I was thinking about the possibility of spending Christmas in Europe. I have wanted to do that for some time, but it will not happen this year. I keep waiting for my life to become a bit less complicated. Being alone does not mean a person does not have obligations, and it seems complications keep finding their way to me.
After the past few days, my thoughts have been more on someplace where snow and ice and frigid temperatures are unknown. If you find your way to Cyprus, and I hope you do, greet the island and the sea around it from me.
In the meanwhile, I think a blanket and Benedictine will be my only company for the time being, Anita.
Yes, see you soon .... thank you, for this journey to my blog.
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