I learned these 13 rules when I was in the Marine Corp plus one good piece of advice from my D.I. I have found that these rules have a purpose in civilian life. This is why I call it 13 rules plus one.
#1 – Be Courteous to everyone be friendly to none.
In the real world we have brothers and sisters from different mothers and family that we count on and have our back. In all practicality we should have a snub on us at all times. We also should not forget a reload, flashlight, and a knife of some kind. I have found a flashlight to be a very useful tool, can be used for illumination if power goes out to a defensive or offensive tool. I have carried a pocket knife since I was eight years old the only time I didn’t have it on me was when I was going though boot camp, and also have a can of pepper spray a great non lethal use of force to get out of a bad situation.
#2 – Decide to be aggressive enough and quickly enough.
Never discredit your gut instinct or the hair on the back of your neck standing up. Your body can pick up on vibrations, some better then others, and if deep inside you says something is not right about a person or situation trust it and get out of there. Decide if your going to fight or flee no one will think different of you. Just act quick enough on what ever decision you make.
#3 – Have a plan.
To me this means to always be aware of your surrounding and who you are with. Always be thinking and listing to your surrounding. An old gunny of mine used to say have your head on a swivel meaning always looking and listing in your surroundings.
#4 – Have a back-up plan if the first one will not work.
Be ready to expect the unexpected and make changes on the fly. Nothing goes as planned.
#5 – Be polite, be professional, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
We know in the real world we just can’t be going around killing but we must decide when and how to use force, how much and if more than one person – who are we going to take out first, second, or third, maybe your best option is to flee or take cover if you can. If you have to fight, fight like the third monkey getting on to Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.  I always found that the one doing all the talking is the leader take them out first.
#6 – Don’t attend a gun fight with a hand gun that’s caliber doesn’t start with a 4.
- First, bring a snub, have a second snub would be better.
- Bring all your friends who have snubs.
Well you know we old Marines, we like our Colt 1911 in 45 acp. The 1911 stayed in the Marines until 2022 well over a hundred years of services. I am also a big fan of 357 magnum 38 special and getting on board with the 327 federal magnum and the 32 H&R magnum. You carry what you feel most comfortable with. Nobody will judge you for what you carry.
#7 – Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap your life is expensive.
This is very true in my opinion your time in life, college or trade school, family, friends, military training, just life in general – don’t be a fool.
#8 – Move away from your attacker, distance is your friend lateral and diagonal is preferred.
#9 – Use cover as much as possible.
#10 – Flank your advisory when possible protect your ass at all costs.
Rules 8 through 10 are self-explanatory. With cover I always think out of sight out mind if they can’t see you they forget about you. Also you first have to protect yourself be for anybody else.
#11 – Always cheat; Always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
Always be the winner even it means walking away, don’t let anger take over. (If you’re not cheating you’re not winning, just remember no rules in a fight.)
#12 – In ten years nobody will remember the details, caliber, stance, or tactics that were used. They will only remember who lived and who died.
I don’t have anything to say on this one, it speaks for itself
#13 – If your not throwing rounds down range, you should be communicating.
To me it means your are communicating with family or friends telling them to stay put or take cover or to move. If your friends or family are armed you can say flanking left or right or out of ammo, move to leave to a different position.
#14 – Don’t trust an old man in a young man’s game. Stay alert, stay alive – it’s that simple.
A man reaches a certain age where he doesn’t want any drama. He doesn’t want to fight with any one, but if he’s forced to, you should know that he will NOT fight fair, he will not quit and there are no weapons he won’t use. Best to leave him alone with his coffee, bourbon and cigars. Don’t poke the old men. (THEY WILL HURT YOU)
Bob Vine is a Native of Colorado currently living in Aurora Colorado. He joined USMC at 17. After infantry school he served 6 years in a Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team (FAST) company. He was additionally trained as a Marine Embassy Security Guard. Bob was a former reserve deputy and worked house security at a casino in Las Vegas. He is currently working on his first noir novel
