This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the 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, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.
My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, 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.
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
-NCO Creed
I am an NCO dedicated to training new Marines and influencing the old. I am forever conscious of each Marine under my charge, and by example will inspire him to the highest standards possible. I will strive to be patient, understanding, just, and firm. I will commend the deserving and encourage the wayward.
I will never forget that I am responsible to my Commanding Officer for the morale, discipline, and efficiency of my men. Their performance will reflect an image of me.
-SNCO Creed
I am a Staff Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. As such, I am a member of the most unique group of professional military practitioners in the world. I am bound by duty to God, Country, and my fellow Marines to execute the demands of my position to and beyond what I believe to be the limits of my capabilities.
I realize I am the mainstay of Marine Corps discipline, and I carry myself with military grace, unbowed by the weight of command, unflinching in the execution lawful orders, and unswerving in my dedication to the most complete success of my assigned mission.
Both my professional and personal demeanor shall be such that I may take pride if my juniors emulate me, and knowing perfection to lie beyond the grasp of any mortal hand, I shall yet strive to attain perfection that I may ever be aware of my needs and capabilities to improve myself. I shall be fair in my personal relations, just in the enforcement of discipline, true to myself and my fellow Marines, and equitable in my dealing with every man
-Marine's Prayer
Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
-Recruiter Creed
MY MISSION TODAY IS TO SEEK OUT AND FIND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HIGHEST MORAL, PHYSICAL, AND MENTAL QUALIFICATIONS. ONCE FOUND, I MUST CREATE WITHIN THEM A LASTING, BURNING DESIRE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AS A UNITED STATES MARINE. IN THIS WAY, MY COUNTRY AND CORPS WILL BE SECURE. TOMORROW I WILL CARRY MY RIFLE AGAIN.
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WHO AM I
I AM YOUR BROTHER I AM YOUR SISTER I AM YOUR COUSIN I AM YOUR SON I AM YOUR DAUGHTER I AM YOUR FRIEND
WHO AM I
I AM A SAILOR I ENSURE THE WORLDS WATERS ARE SAFE I PATROL AND DEFEND MY NATIONS COASTLINE
WHO AM I
I AM AN AIRMAN I ENSURE THE WORLDS SKY'S ARE SAFE I PATROL AND DEFEND MY NATIONS AIRSPACE
WHO AM I
I AM A MARINE I AM MY NATIONS QUICK REACTION FORCE I TAKE THE OBJECTIVE AND HOLD IT TIL RELIEVED
WHO AM I
I AM A SOLDIER I DEFEND MY NATION FROM THOSE WHO ATTACK US I TAKE THE OBJECTIVE AND HOLD IT TIL RELIEVED
I DONT ASK YOU TO UNDERSTAND FOR I KNOW YOU NEVER TRULY WILL THE SAYING SAYS THAT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT FREEDOM HAS A TASTE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW
I DO HOWEVER ASK THAT YOU RESPECT MY LIFE AND WHAT I DID SHOULD I FALL WHILE DEFENDING MY COUNTRY DONT USE ME FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL GAIN OR AGENDA DOING SO CHEAPENS MY DEATH AND THE IDEALS FOR WHICH I DIED
I FIGHT, KILL AND DIE FOR YOU THAT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO DO WHAT I HAVE HAD TO DO THAT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE WHAT I HAVE HAD TO SEE THAT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO KILL ANOTHER AS I HAVE HAD TO
I DO NOT ENJOY KILLING I DO NOT ENJOY WATCHING MY FRIENDS GET WOUNDED, MAIMED AND KILLED I SURE AS HELL DO NOT ENJOY DIEING
I FEEL EVERY SINGLE DEATH OF A MILITARY MEMBER THEY ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS EVERY TIME ONE OF THEM DIES I FEEL THE LOSS
TRY AND REMEMBER TO SAY THANK YOU AS YOU SEE ME WALK PAST AND UNDERSTAND WHEN I SAY ITS NOT NECESSARY I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE I WANT TO NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE MADE ME I SAID I WOULD AND I WILL
WHO AM I
I AM YOUR BROTHER I AM YOUR SISTER I AM YOUR COUSIN I AM YOUR SON I AM YOUR DAUGHTER I AM YOUR FRIEND I AM A MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES
JOE TOLEDO SGT USMC 87 -93 SGT CA ARNG 93-2000
Other Comments:
-The Marine Infantryman
The average age of the marine infantryman is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears. Not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.
He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.
He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a chevy small block V8.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is marine infantryman that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
~Author Unknown~
-Corps Values
Honor: Honor requires each Marine to exemplify the ultimate standard in ethical and moral conduct. Honor is many things; honor requires many things. A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal, but that is not enough. Much more is required. Each Marine must cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity, accountable for his actions and holding others accountable for theirs. And, above all, honor mandates that a Marine never sully the reputation of his Corps.
Courage: Simply stated, courage is honor in action -- and more. Courage is moral strength, the will to heed the inner voice of conscience, the will to do what is right regardless of the conduct of others. It is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher standard. Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is right in spite of adverse consequences. This courage, throughout the history of the Corps, has sustained Marines during the chaos, perils, and hardships of combat. And each day, it enables each Marine to look in the mirror -- and smile.
Commitment: Total dedication to Corps and Country. Gung-ho Marine teamwork. All for one, one for all. By whatever name or cliche, commitment is a combination of (1) selfless determination and (2) a relentless dedication to excellence. Marines never give up, never give in, never willingly accept second best. Excellence is always the goal. And, when their active duty days are over, Marines remain reserve Marines, retired Marines, or Marine veterans. There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or former-Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Commitment never dies.
