MCRD San Diego -- “…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...”
The “Rifleman’s Creed” is a guiding principle for the Marine Corps that states the importance of the intimate relationship between a Marine and his rifle.
Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, went through weapons issue June 18 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Each recruit received an M16-A4 service rifle, a light-weight, air-cooled, gas operated, automatic weapon, which they will use throughout training.
“Most of them have never held a weapon before in their life,” said Sgt. Jose Lopez, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2101, Co. E, 2nd RTBn. “Being issued a weapon instills responsibility in the recruits, which is a majority of what it takes to be a strong leader.”
Throughout their 12 weeks of training, recruits are given the task of maintaining an M16-A4 service rifle. With it, they will learn discipline and obedience through basic drill movements and the fundamentals of marksmanship as they qualify on the range.
Recruits must become familiar with their weapon and learn everything about it; the way it feels, how to properly take care of it and how to operate it, turning it into the determining factor between life and death. It’s the one thing throughout recruit training they can claim as their own, explained Lopez.
“The creed says, ‘This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine,’ this gives the recruits a sense of ownership and responsibility,” said Lopez. “I have my recruits recite the creed before bed to stress how important it is to have the weapon.”
Upon receipt of their rifles, recruits ensure that their rifle is in proper shape and there are no missing pieces. They tightly grip the butt stock and hand guards as they march off to continue with training and their new responsibility.
“Being issued a rifle shows recruits that the Marine Corps has faith in us to be able to defend our country when needed,” said Recruit Bryan Gutierrez, Plt. 2102, Co. E, 2nd RTBn. “Anyone can be called to combat and they must be ready to go.”
This may be the first time that some recruits have ever held a weapon, but it won’t be their last. Every Marine is required to do annual marksmanship training throughout their Marine Corps career. The scores they receive from qualifying can help toward future promotions and awards.
Company E will move on in training to learn how to use their rifles in close-quarters combat through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and head north to Edson Range, Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. to be trained in basic marksmanship skills.