Re: Marine Corps Rules for Gunfights

Jack Linthicum wrote:
The (highly-unofficial) Marine Corps Rules for Gunfights
are tacked to the wall at a Marine outpost in the Iraqi town of Anoh
in the Euphrates River Valley. Among the rules:

1. Have a plan.
2. Have a backup plan because the first plan won't work.
3. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
4. Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill
everyone you meet.


I doubt there is a true 'origin' to this list, it has existed in some
form since about 3.652 seconds after the gun was invented,
I am sure. Before that, it was known as the 'rules for a spear
(or knife or atlatl or arbalest or stick or...) fight' with only slight
modification.

Here's the list I have collected over several years (there is no
***comprehensive*** list):

Bring at least one gun (no knives).

Avoid them like the plague

Be aware of what is going on around you by staying

in Condition yellow.

Have a plan (or two)

(...if not, a "Last Will & Testament" will do.)

Corollary: No plan survives contact with the enemy.



Bring friends (whether as friendly witnesses or

fire support)

Let close air support or artillery soften-up the

target for you.

Make use of available cover

Remember the difference between concealment and

cover.

Don't get shot (Use cover to your advantage).

Place your shots well

Pay attention to where your shots fall

"Speed's fine, but accuracy is final"

Don't miss (You can't miss fast enough to win).

If you're the bad guy, draw & shoot first

If you're the good guy, draw second and shoot first.

Bring the biggest gun you can handle

A loaded semi-auto pistol is more useful than an

unloaded one.

Drawing on folks who already got the drop on you is

not conducive to longevity.

Never turn your back on an armed bad guy, even if

he's down.

A sucking chest wound is nature's way of telling you

to slow down.

If you're bleeding, say something witty.

If you're actually dying, say something deep.

Never assume your opponent is out of ammo.

Bring lots of ammo.

In combat, you will be scared. You will have a

tendency to shoot high. Be aware of this and aim

low.

Don't quit just because you're hit;

GET EVEN!

Never quit, period.

There is no prize for second place

There's no such thing as "unfair advantage"

He who lives to run away will live to run another

day (the best strategy is being somewhere else).

It is better to give than receive. (Just like

Christmas)

Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.

Professionals are predictable, it's the amateurs that

are dangerous.

If your opponents didn't have the courtesy to

"Count Off!" before beginning, always assume that

there's one more somewhere.

When the cops arrive, think fast and move slow.

Say nothing afterwards but the Seven Magic Words:

"I'd like to speak with my attorney."

Distribute press releases indicating your target

belongs to a cult.

Drop the one with the shotgun first.

Afterward, alter evidence to favor your position and

plan for perjury.

Use cutesy green-and-purple colored weapons and ammo

so the press won't show any video of your non-

evil-looking equipment. Fuzzy rifle-wrap works best.

Insist on *at least* $50K from tabloid TV producers.

If the enemy is in range, so are you.

Incoming fire has the right-of-way.

Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.

Never forget that your weapon is made by the lowest

bidder.

There is always a way. The easy way is always mined.

Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.

The enemy always attacks on two occasions:

When you are ready for them.

When you are not ready for them.

Teamwork is essential, it gives them someone else to

shoot at.

If you can't remember, then the claymore is pointed

at you.

The enemy diversion you have been ignoring, will be

the main attack.

If your attack is going well, you have walked into an

ambush.

NEVER draw fire, it irritates everyone around you.

Make it tough for the enemy to get in, and you won't

be able to get out.

Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.

If you're short of everything, except the enemy, you're

in a combat zone.

When you have secured an area, don't forget to tell the

enemy.

Friendly fire ain't (a bullet, once fired, has no

friends).





Jeff


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