The Rifleman's Creed

This morning, I woke up with the Rifleman's Creed resonating in my mind. It's funny how certain things never leave you, no matter how many years pass. Serving in the United States Marine Corps was a defining chapter in my life, one filled with discipline, camaraderie, and clarity of purpose. The Rifleman's Creed, something every Marine learns early and repeats often, wasn't just a set of words—it was a mantra, a framework, and a grounding force.

"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine." These opening words reminded me of responsibility and accountability, qualities instilled deeply during boot camp and beyond. This creed is about much more than just a weapon—it symbolizes each Marine's universal duty to themselves, their comrades, and their mission, in this life and the next.

Reflecting on it now, years after hanging up my uniform, I see parallels between the creed and my civilian life. Just as my rifle required meticulous care, so do my professional and personal relationships, responsibilities, and even the pursuit of knowledge. Each demands attention, dedication, and integrity.

The Marine Corps taught me much, and a key foundational component among all the lessons is approaching life's complexities with a disciplined yet adaptable mindset. As I move through my civilian career, teach students, and pursue my research, I find echoes of the Rifleman's Creed guiding me, quietly shaping my interactions and sense of duty.

Waking up today thinking about my Marine Corps days wasn't just nostalgia—it was a reminder of the foundational truths that have guided my journey from the very beginning. It was a quiet reaffirmation of my identity: once a Marine, always a Marine.

THE CREED OF A UNITED STATES MARINE

This creed, accredited to Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC (Deceased) and still taught to Marines undergoing Basic Training at the Recruit Depots at San Diego and Parris Island, was first published in the San Diego Marine Corps Chevron March 14, 1942.

1. This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

2. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

3. 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 …

4. My rifle and myself know that what counts in this 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….

5. 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 ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will ….

6. Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

7. So be it, until victory is America’s and there is no enemy, but peace!!