My rifle is my bestfriend

During military training you are introduced and trained to use many different weapons. As a Marine you enter into a weapons training course where you find out all about the M-16A2 rifle. You're even required to memorize your particular rifle's serial number. You spend a considerable amount of time taking your rifle apart, cleaning it, and putting it back together. You're also required to memorize the four rules of Marine Corps rifle safety:

• Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
• Never point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.
• Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
• Keep your weapon's safety on until you intend to fire.

You will also learn another weapons safety rule when you get out of basic training: Be absolutely sure of your target and what is behind it.

During Marine Corps basic training, you must never refer to your M-16 as a gun. Doing so will result in a massive tirade from your drill instructor. Marine Corps M-16s are always called your weapon or your rifle. You’ll also receive several hours of classroom instruction on proper marksmanship techniques and you get a chance to fire on the actual qualification course. If you don't pass you will be forced to stay back as your platoon graduates with out you.

Once you've passed this course, you are given your own rifle.  You are responsible for memorizing a special chant. It reads as follows:

This creed becomes ingrained in your head. You learn to live by it's meaning. This creed serves to remind soldiers the power of one's rifle as well as it's importance. Never take your rifle for granted because it can save your life. You have to understand that a rifle is just as important as the person who is holding it. You have a means to bear arms and protect yourself, that is truly the purpose of the rifle.