Do You Trust Me

By: Jarhead

Sep.30, 2009 in Marine Corps

“Do You Trust Me?”

These were the last words that Cpl Matthew Nelson asked LCpl Patrick Malone right before he blew his head off. Yes you read that right while deployed a Marine was killed by another Marine. You see these Marines were playing a game. A game with a loaded pistol that they called Trust.

How to Play

Playing Trust was simple enough albeit stupid. A senior Marine takes his pistol removes the magazine aims it at a subordinte and asks “do you trust me?” The subordinate answers (usually) in the affirmitive, and then the superior pulls the triggers and everyone laughs.

What went Wrong?

Unfortunately in this case everything went wrong. Cpl Nelson didn’t have a safe weapon and when he pulled the trigger the hammer went home on a round. The 9mm round went through LCpl Malone’s forehead and less than 20 minutes later the junior Marine was dead.

This “GAME” if you can call it that is the stupidest thing that a Marine can do. It is against every weapons rule that is beat into our heads by our Drill Instructors for 13 weeks of Boot Camp. Then reitterated by the NCO’s at MCT and SOI and every day that we ever handle a weapon. Those weapos safety rules are repeated every day that you are on a rifle range. Those rules are as follows:

1. TREAT EVERY WEAPON AS IF IT WERE LOADED.

2. NEVER POINT A WEAPON AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT.

3. KEEP YOUR FINGER STRAIGHT AND OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

4. kEEP YOUR WEAPON ON SAFE UNTIL YOU INTEND TO FIRE.

So as you can see the Marines that are out there playing this so-called game are in violation of every rule that we are taught.

How to Stop this Game?

How can we stop this game. This is something that must be nipped in the bud NOW. This is a game that cannot keep on going. One Marine has lost his life and at least three others have lost careers, rank, money etc. with more to be charged. It is the responsibility of the NCO to protect the Marines under their charge. Not point weapons at their heads and pull the trigger on a loaded chamber.

ANY MARINE THAT IS PLAYING THIS GAME NEEDS TO STOP. ANY MARINE THAT SEES THIS GAME GOING ON NEEDS TO SAY SOMETHING AND MAKE IT STOP. IF THE GAME CONTINUES YOU MUST REPORT IT. WE DO NOT NEED TO LOOSE ANOTHER MARINE TO A STUPID GAME LIKE THIS.

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