Special Operations Creeds

My title is Marine, but it is my choice alone to be a Special Operations Marine. I will never forget the tremendous sacrifice and reputation of those who came before me.

At all ranges, my fire will be accurate. With surprise, speed, and violence of action, I will hunt enemies of my country and bring chaos to their doorstep. I will keep my body strong, my mind sharp, and my kit ready at all times.

Raider and Recon men forged the path I follow. With determination, dependability and TEAMWORK, I will uphold the HONOR and the legacy passed down to me. I will do the right thing always and will let my actions speak for me. As a quiet professional, I will not bring shame upon myself or those with whom I serve.

Spiritus Invictus, an unconquerable spirit, will be my goal. I will never quit, I will never surrender, I will never fail. I will adapt to the situation. I will gain and maintain the initiative. I will always go a little farther and carry more than my share.

On any battlefield, at any point of the compass, I will excel. I will set the example for all others to emulate. At the tip of the spear, I will teach and prepare others to seek out, dismantle and destroy our common enemies. I will fight side by side with my partners and will be the first in and last out of any MISSION.

Conquering all obstacles of mind, body and spirit, the HONOR and pride of serving in Special Operations will be my driving force. I will remain always faithful to my brothers and always forward in my SERVICE.

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal, sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the Reconnaissance MISSION shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics – The title of Recon Marine is my HONOR.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Reconnaissance Marine is to surpass failure: to overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the MISSION.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition. Through professional pride, INTEGRITY, and TEAMWORK, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a Reconnaissance Marine. HONOR, PERSEVERANCE, Spirit and Heart. A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what other can only imagine.

In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. Common citizens with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, they stand alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve their country, the American people, and protect their way of life.

I am that warrior.

My Trident is a symbol of HONOR and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My LOYALTY to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with HONOR on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from others. Uncompromising INTEGRITY is my standard. My character and HONOR are steadfast.

My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the MISSION. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I PERSEVERE and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of STRENGTH to protect my teammates and to accomplish our MISSION.

I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our MISSION depend on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail.

My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my MISSION and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave SEALs have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed.

I will not fail.

I am a United States Navy EOD Technician, a warrior, professional Sailor and guardian of life.

I willfully accept the danger of my chosen profession and will accomplish all duties my great country asks of me.

I follow in the wake of those who have served before me with uncommon valor. I was born from the bombs and mines of the blitzkrieg. I have cleared the world’s sea lanes and fought in the jungles, deserts and mountains around the globe.  

I will never disgrace the Navy EOD Warriors of the past and will uphold their HONOR and memory, both on and off the battlefield.

I am a quiet professional! I strive to excel in every art and artifice of war. I adapt to every situation and will overcome all obstacles. I will never fail those who depend upon me.

I maintain my mind, body, and equipment in the highest state of readiness that is worthy of the most elite Warrior. 

I will defeat my enemies’ spirit because my spirit is stronger. I will defeat my enemies’ weapons because I know my enemies’ weapons better.

I will complete every MISSION with HONOR, courage, and COMMITMENT. Though I may be alone and completely isolated, I will trust my teammates and my country. I will never give up and I will never surrender.

Where most strive and train to get it right, I will relentlessly train so I never get it wrong.

I am a United States Navy EOD

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, HONOR, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the MISSION though I be the lone survivor.

Rangers lead the way!

• I am an American Special Forces Soldier! 
• I will do all that my nation requires of me. I am a volunteer, knowing well the hazards of my profession. 
• I serve with the memory of those who have gone before me. I pledge to uphold the HONOR and INTEGRITY of their legacy in all that I am – in all that I do. 
• I am a warrior. I will teach and fight whenever and wherever my nation requires. I will strive always to excel in every art and artifice of war. 
• I know that I will be called upon to perform tasks in isolation, far from familiar faces and voices. With the help and guidance of my faith, I will conquer my fears and succeed. 
• I will keep my mind and body clean, alert and strong. I will maintain my arms and equipment in an immaculate state befitting a Special Forces Soldier, for this is my debt to those who depend upon me. 
• I will not fail those with whom I serve. I will not bring shame upon myself or Special Forces. 
• I will never leave a fallen comrade. I will never surrender though I am the last. If I am taken, I pray that I have the STRENGTH to defy my enemy. 
• I am a member of my Nation’s chosen soldiery, I serve quietly, not seeking recognition or accolades. My goal is to succeed in my MISSION – and live to succeed again. 
• De Oppresso Liber

It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently. Placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live.

In our nation’s time of need, an elite group of maritime warriors stands ready off distant shores and on shallow rivers. Defending freedom, they serve with honor and distinction. I am proud to be one of these Sailors.

I am a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman: a quiet professional; tried, tested and dedicated to achieving excellence in maritime special operations. I am a disciplined, confident and highly motivated warrior.

My honor and integrity are beyond reproach, my commitment unquestioned and my word trusted. The American people depend on me to carry out my mission in a professional manner.

I maintain my craft, equipment and myself at the highest level of combat readiness. I set the standard and lead by example. I am responsible for my actions and accountable to my teammates. I challenge them to perform, as I expect them to challenge me.

I am ready for war. I will close and engage the enemy with the full combat power of my craft. My actions will be decisive yet measured. I will always complete the mission. I will never quit, and I will leave no one behind.

My heritage comes from the Sailors who operated the PT boats of World War II and the combatant craft of Vietnam. The legacy of these warriors guides my actions. I will always remember the courage, perseverance and sacrifices made to guarantee our nation’s freedom. I uphold the honor of those who have fought before me and will do nothing to disgrace my proud heritage.

On Time, On Target, Never Quit.”

Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world, ready to move at a moment’s notice anytime, anywhere, arriving time on target plus or minus 30 seconds.

I guard my unit’s mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe’s ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.

The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.

Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!