Military Wisdom

"A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit."
—Army's magazine of preventive maintenance.

"Aim towards the Enemy."
—Instruction printed on U.S. Rocket Launcher

"When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is not our friend.
—U.S. Marine Corps

"Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the ground."
—U.S.A.F. Ammo Troop

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
—Emergency Checklist

"If the enemy is in range, so are you."
—Infantry Journal

"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed."
—U.S. Air Force Manual

"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons."
—Gen. MacArthur

"There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime."
—Sign over Squadron Ops Desk at Davis-Montham AFB, AZ

"Try to look unimportant; they may be low on ammo."
—Infantry Journal

"You, you, and you… Panic. The rest of you, come with me."
—U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.

"Tracers work both ways."
—U.S. Army Ordnance

"Five second fuses only last three seconds."
—Infantry Journal

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."
—Multi-Engine Training Manual

"Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything."
—U.S. Navy Swabbie

"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
—Col. David Hackworth

"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you."
—Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)

"If your attack is going too well, your walking into an ambush."
—Infantry Journal

"No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection."
—Joe Gay

"Any ship can be a minesweeper... once."
—Anon

"Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do."
—Unknown Marine Recruit

"Don't draw fire; it irritates the people around you."
—Your Buddies

"If you see a bomb technician running, follow him."
—U.S.A.F. Ammo Troop