I Thought Jerry Patterson Would Like This...

[SHANEA]

So, I emailed it to him... (he is retired USMC)

Rules of Combat
USMC
    * Bring a weapon. Preferably, bring at least two. Bring all of your friends who have weapons. Bring their friends who have weapons.
    * Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
    * Only hits count. Close doesn't count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
    * If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough, nor using cover correctly.
    * Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
    * If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a big weapon and a friend with a big weapon.
    * In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived and who didn't.
    * If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
    * Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting is more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the weapon.
    * Use a weapon that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket."
    * Someday someone may kill you with your own weapon, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
    * In combat, there are no rules, always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
    * Have a plan.
    * Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
    * Use cover or concealment as much as possible. The visible target should be in FRONT of YOUR weapon.
    * Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
    * Don't drop your guard.
    * Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.
    * Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).
    * Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.
    * The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
    * Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
    * Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
    * Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
    * Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a ".4."

Army
    * See USMC Rules for combat
    * Add 60 to 90 days
    * Hope the Marines already destroyed all meaningful resistance

Navy
    * Spend three weeks getting somewhere
    * Adopt an aggressive offshore posture
    * Send in the Marines
    * Drink Coffee
    * Bring back the Marines

Air Force
    * Kiss the spouse good-bye
    * Drive to the flight line
    * Fly to target area, drop bombs, fly back.
    * Pop in at the club for a couple with the guys
    * Go home, BBQ some burgers and drink some more beer

[presidio]

Rogers Rules for Rangers (that would be REAL rangers....the military kind) that were published in 1757 still are applicable today. The original version is rather lengthy...the version below is the simplified one. The first one is all encompassing.

# Don't forget nothing.
# Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute's warning.
# When you're on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.
# Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don't never lie to a Ranger or officer.
# Don't never take a chance you don't have to.
# When we're on the march we march single file, far enough apart so one shot can't go through two men.
# If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out abreast, so it's hard to track us.
# When we march, we keep moving till dark, so as to give the enemy the least possible chance at us.
# When we camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.
# If we take prisoners, we keep 'em separate till we have had time to examine them, so they can't cook up a story between 'em.
# Don't ever march home the same way. Take a different route so you won't be ambushed.
# No matter whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank, and 20 yards in the rear so the main body can't be surprised and wiped out.
# Every night you'll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.
# Don't sit down to eat without posting sentries.
# Don't sleep beyond dawn. Dawn's when the French and Indians attack.
# Don't cross a river by a regular ford.
# If somebody's trailing you, make a circle, come back onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.
# Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you. Kneel down, lie down, hide behind a tree.

[TexasGirl]

Looks like your email had quite an effect:

Patterson cartwheels for first (and last) time
Saturday, October 18, 2008

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson might have been in too good a mood last week.

By his recollection, he was in such good spirits that he decided to do a cartwheel in a conference room.

Bad idea. In his attempt, Patterson crumpled to the floor, and his right wrist snapped.

Patterson, 61, had surgery the next day and now has a titanium insert in the wrist.

He said it was the first and last time he'd attempt a cartwheel at work — or anywhere.

Lasting lesson?

Patterson said, "Sometimes your capabilities are exceeded by your limitations."