Marine Corps Wisdom

 

Marine Corps Wisdom

 

Basic Laws of Combat

Six Phases of a Military Operation

USMC and USN Rules of Engagement

 

Basic Laws of Combat

 1. You are not superman.

 2. Suppressive fires — won't.

 3. If it's stupid but works, it isn't stupid.

 4. Don't look conspicuous — it draws fire.

 5. When in doubt, empty the magazine. read more

The DI Sword & Color Guard Incidents

Situation (1) :  During the very hot, humid summer of 1967 or 68, I'm a Marine Drill Instructor standing in front of our recruit platoon (sorry, forget number) at Parris Island.  We are about to Pass In Review.

I'm at Parade Rest with sword (point of sword to the deck).  On the command "Attention" I attempt to raise the blade so the point is 3 inches from the deck.  The sword won't move!  Suddenly, I hear the preparatory command "Present" (ARMS).  I was able to raise my right hand just in time.  What happened?  The tip of my sword had sunk in the ultra-hot asphalt. This incident could have been very embarrassing. read more

Marine Humor = “Come here turd!”

In 1960 I was a senior Drill Instructor at the San Diego Recruit Depot. The morning routine was for the DIs to awake before reveille. No recruits were permitted to be out of their Quonset Huts at that time.

One particular morning Sgt Black, the junior DI, and I were standing outside on the platoon street drinking coffee as daylight broke through. Sgt Black sighted something out of the corner of his eye (he the recon Marine). I heard him bellow, “Come here turd!” at this short, sulking figure in utilities buttoned at the top (as required of recruits). read more

MARINES AIM TO AVOID POST-WAR IDENTITY CRISIS

The U.S. Marine Corps, one of the most storied military forces, is searching for a mission after the war in Afghanistan ends.

Marines consider themselves a quick-reaction force, traveling light and giving their all whether waging war or responding to humanitarian disasters. But for the past decade, the Corps has been fighting long conflicts in the deserts of Iraq and valleys of Afghanistan, requiring it to behave more as a dug-in land army. read more