Calligram Project

"The Rifleman's Creed"

The first time I heard this was during Marine Corps Basic Training in 1998 at MCRD San Diego. After twenty years, it still retains it's impact and effectives at stirring the warrior spirit from within. It was written after the attack on Pearl Harbor... The image, is the United States Marine Corps Emblem. It is also known as the "Eagle, Globe & Anchor". The Eagle represents our Nation. The Globe represents World Wide Service (Marines are ready to answer our Nation's call at any time), and Anchor represents the Naval Traditions that the Marine Corps was born out of.

"This is my rifle.

There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best brined. It is my life. 

I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless.

Without me 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!"

This is the original image that was used in my Calligram Project.