Gunfighting, Marine style

From my pal Todd, a former Army Special Forces officer.
Marine Corps Rules for Gun Fighting

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your
   friends who have guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is
   expensive

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
4. If your shooting stance is good, you’re probably not moving fast enough
   nor using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and
   diagonal movement are preferred.)

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a
   friend with a long gun.

7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or
   tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and
   running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more
   dependent on “pucker factor” than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
12. Have a plan.
13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won’t work.
14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
16. Don’t drop your guard.
17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.
18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your
    hands where I can see them.

19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.
20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
23. Your number one option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not
    start with a “4.”

Navy Rules for Gun Fighting

1. Go to sea.
2. Send the Marines.
3. Drink coffee
4. Watch the action on CNN