The Rifleman's Creed (also known as My Rifle and The Creed of the United States Marine) is a part of basic United States Marine Corps doctrine. Major General William H. Rupertus wrote it during World War II, probably in late 1941 or early 1942. All enlisted Marines learn the creed at recruit training and they are expected to live by it. Different, more concise versions of the creed have developed since its early days, but those closest to the original version remain the most widely accepted.[1][2]
Original text[]
Rifleman's Creed[1]
- 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 must 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 I 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 weaknesses, its strength, 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. We will...
- 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, but peace!
In popular culture[]
- The Rifleman's Creed is featured in the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket.
- A modified version of the Rifleman's Creed is featured in the 2005 film Jarhead.
- A parody of the Rifleman's Creed is featured in the 2008 Family Guy episode "Baby Not on Board."
- Another parody is in the show Archer. In episode "Dial M for Mother," Cyril is loading this weapon while in the restroom reciting the beginning of The Rifleman's Creed. A scene that mimics the film, Full Metal Jacket.
- In the 2013 video game Sniper Ghost Warrior 2, after the player eliminates Maddox, Anderson says, as he departs when asked if he has someone waiting for him at home, he recited the line "My Rifle is my best friend, it is my life"
- A parody of the Rifleman's Creed is featured briefly in the 2012 Community episode "Introduction to Finality".
- A military-themed quest in the MMORPG World of Warcraft references the Rifleman's Creed in its title "There are many like it."[3]
- In the 2012 video game Halo 4, "This is my Rifle, This is my Gun" is an obtainable achievement within the game.
See also[]
- Airman's Creed
- Coast Guardsmen's Creed
- Ranger Creed
- Quartermaster Creed
- Sailor's Creed
- Soldier's Creed
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Major General William H. Rupertus. "My Rifle: The Creed of a U.S. Marine". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. http://web.archive.org/web/20070310183121/http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dmardiv/aabn/Rifleman.htm.
- ↑ Major General William H. Rupertus. "My Rifle: The Creed of a U.S. Marine". U.S. Military. About.com. http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/l/blriflecreed.htm.
- ↑ From Wowhead.com's database http://www.wowhead.com/quest=14479/there-are-many-like-it
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The original article can be found at Rifleman's Creed and the edit history here.