The Riflemans Creed

Because in the Federation Marine Corps, every man is a rifleman, this creed has become a mantra, drilled into recruits during their initial training, be they officer or enlisted.

"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. Without me it is useless, without my rifle I am useless.

"I will 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 what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is hits that count. We will hit.

"Without me, my rifle is useless, without my rifle, I am useless.

"My rifle is even as I, because it is my life. Thus I will learn it as a brother, learn its weaknesses, its strengths, 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."