The M-1 Garand

In 1966 I entered the USMC and was standing on the yellow footprints at San Diego, soon to be transported into another world of discipline, hard work, boredom, excitement, and some occasional "In your face" Drill Instructors. I turned 21 when in Marine Corps Boot Camp; the day went unnoticed except for me. I did not want to draw any attention to myself unless it was for something that I was doing well.

We learned Close Order Drill, first with marching, and then when we were issued our M-14 rifles, our drill included the manual of arms. The M-14 was a fine weapon; it could fire well whenever needed; it made a good bayonet tool and could suffice for a club if the unfortunate Marine ever ran out of ammunition. I thought I knew how to fire rifles well before I went into the Marines, but I was mistaken. I learned in the Corps; and I learned well.

After Boot Camp graduation, we moved up the ladder to 2nd Infantry Training Regiment (aka ITR) and in early 1967, we were using M-1 Garand rifles that were first issued to the US troops in WW2. The Corps gave up its venerable bolt action Springfield 1903A3 rifles after Guadalcanal and the Garand became the battle rifle that won the war for the Allies, both in the Pacific and the ETO. The Garand, though only holding 8 rounds in an enbloc clip instead of a possible 20 in an M-14 magazine (we never loaded more than 18 in a magazine long term though, so as not to permanently deform the magazine follower spring), was a pound heavier than the M-14 that we had learned to fire in Boot Camp. No problem for young Marines; we shrugged it off, learned how to use the Garand at the multiple rifle ranges and live-firing courses that we practiced on... and loved the Garand for what it was.... our best friend.

We slept with our rifles in the field, we gave our rifle a name. We became one with this weapon of steel and wood. And as I left the Corps after Vietnam, I had to return the weapon that I had come to know so well.

For those of us who treasure these pieces of steel and wood... these pieces of our nation's military history... there is an organization called the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The CMP is a government-chartered program (1903 War Department Appropriations Act) that promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice for all qualified U.S. citizens with an emphasis on youth. They also are dear to the hearts of many veterans today. Their rifles today come from returned inventory from foreign countries who have been loaned large quantities of M-1 Garands to equip their Army/Navy/Air Forces. The rifles are graded, inspected by knowledgable armorers who know their weapons well, and sold.

I recently acquired a Service Grade Special M-1 Garand. Made in 1955, it is one of the last ones made by Springfield Armory. My rifle is an excellent example of what made our Marines and Army such an efficient and feared fighting force in WW2 and Korea. Holding it closely, I could feel its pulse, and it whispered to me "I am yours now; there are many like me, but I am yours."

One of my goals over the next few years is to participate in some of the CMP Service Rifle competitive shoots around the area and see if I can still hit that old bullseye like I did 44 years ago now. I will be able to show off my piece of history, and rub shoulders with others who will also know the kinship that exists between a Marine and his Rifle. (Remember there are NO ex- or Former Marines... there are only Marines and Marine Veterans!)

(We had to learn this Creed by heart; I hope that my memory has done it justice.)

The Rifleman's Creed:

This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life.

My rifle without me is useless. Without my rifle I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will......

My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.....

My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, 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 be come part of each other. We will.....

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace......