Rifleman's creed

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.

Original text

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 myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or 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 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 victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!

In popular culture

The creed (or portions of it) has been featured in many different types of popular culture offerings. Most prominently, it has been depicted in war films about the Marine Corps, including Full Metal Jacket and Jarhead, set in the Vietnam War and Gulf War respectively, and depict recruit training.

The creed is heard in songs by Fear Factory ("Crisis"), Combichrist ("This Is My Rifle"), Suicidal Angels ("Battlefield"), Mos Def ("A Soldier's Dream"), Killarmy ("Under Siege"), and Feint ("Creed"). It has received mention in several novels, including Cryptonomicon and Old Man's War.

The creed plays a prominent role in the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps' 2010 show entitled "Madworld." Parts of the creed are chanted by the members of the horn line and color guard at the beginning and in the middle of the show.