Variations of this list have appeared in many places over the years. I saw my first one while attending the Army War College (the Carlisle Barracks one, not Ft. Leavenworth). As the only Navy officer in a boisterous seminar of Army officers, I professed my lack of knowledge of Army ways early on. My classmates turned to with gusto to educate me. A list of this type was one of their tools.
- You are not Superman.
- Keep it simple stupid.
- Automatic weapons - aren’t
- Recoilless weapons - aren’t
- Suppressive fire - won’t
- Incoming fire has the right of way.
- If the enemy is in range, so are you.
- Don’t look conspicuous, it draws fire.
- If it’s stupid and it works, it ain’t stupid.
- When in doubt, empty your magazine.
- The easy way is always mined.
- Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.
- Professionals are predictable; it’s the amateurs that are dangerous.
- Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy somebody else to shoot at.
- Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.
- Anything you do can get you shot, including doing nothing.
- No combat ready unit ever passed inspection.
- No inspection ready unit ever passed combat.
- Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you.
- If your attack is going really well, it’s an ambush.
- No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.
- Your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
- The enemy diversion you are ignoring will turn out to be their main attack.
- The only thing more accurate than enemy incoming fire is friendly incoming fire.
- When you have secured the area, don’t forget to tell the enemy.
- Make it tough enough for the enemy to get in, and you won’t be able to get out.
- A sucking chest wound is nature’s way of telling you to slow down.
- If you’re short of everything but the enemy, you’re in a combat zone.
- The enemy invariably attacks on only two occasions - when you’re ready for them and when you’re not.