Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill…

Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.

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One of the rules Maj. Gen. James Mattis gave his Marines to live by in Iraq, as quoted in Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq (2006) by Thomas E. Ricks; as excerpted in Armed Forces Journal (August 2006)

Other James Mattis Quotes

For the mission’s sake, for our country’s sake, and the sake of the men who carried the Division’s colors in past battles — “who fought for life and never lost their nerve” — carry out your mission and keep your honor clean. Demonstrate to the world there is “No Better Friend — No Worse Enemy” than a US Marine. - View Quote Details on For the mission’s sake, for our country’s sake, and the…
You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn’t wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain’t got no manhood left anyway. So it’s a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually it’s quite fun to fight them, you know. It’s a hell of a hoot. It’s fun to shoot some people. I’ll be right up there with you. I like brawling. - View Quote Details on You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women…
I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I’ll kill you all. - View Quote Details on I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m…
No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy. - View Quote Details on No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy.
It’s the mission of every Marine in this Battalion to send one dead Iraqi home to Mama. - View Quote Details on It’s the mission of every Marine in this Battalion to…