11 General Orders and the Rifle Creed
Eleven General Orders of Interior Guard
1.) To Take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2.) To Walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing
everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3.) To Report all violations of orders I have been instructed to enforce.
4.) To Repeat all calls from posts more distant from the "gaurdhouse" than my own.
5.) To Quit my post only when properly relieved.
6.) To Receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from te Commanding Officer,
Officer of the Day, and Officers and NCO's of the gaurd only.
7.) To Talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8.) To Give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9.) To Call the Corporal of the Guard in any case not covered by instructions.
10.) To Salute all Officers and all Colors and Standards not cased.
11.)To Be especially watchful at night and to question all persons on or near my post and to report all
personnel without proper authority.
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 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 war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our bursts, nor the smoke we make. We know 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 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.
Veterans' Poem
Disassembly of the M1 Garand.
Marine Corps History and Leadership Qualities
