Sergeant Ingram's Rifle Creed Page

Rifle Creed

I was introduced to the M16-A2 Service Rifle shortly after arriving to 1st Platoon, Bravo Company and the watchful eye of Senior Drill Instructor GySgt. Dawson. I named my new found love Hillary (also my girlfriend at the time), and quickly learned how to disassemble the upper and lower receivers. Once I learned the nomenclature of my "girl" and after repeated dry runs, cleaning, and drill practice, she and I went to the rifle range during second phase of Recruit Training. Once there, we made history, and I learned not only how to respect and fire my weapon, but also the Marine Rifle Creed....

"This Is My Rifle"

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 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 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...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights, and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. 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 myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until there is no enemy, but Peace!

If you're not a rifle expert, you're not in my foxhole!
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