2007/04/26

One degree of separation from VA Tech Shootings

I was reading CNN today (well it's better than watching it) and I found out that I know one of the engineering faculty members at Virginia Tech. It was quite a shock. I was obviously saddened to hear about the massacre, but it was in an impersonal way. In fact, after the first day, I was a little sick of the story (after all, the media did not have anything new to add, so I was tired of hearing the repeated story). It seemed that all other news stopped (even though the insurgents were lighting up Iraq last week). Then I read this article and I see the name of my design professor from UIC. Apparently, he moved to Virginia Tech in 2004 (long after I last had contact with him). Still, the last thing you expect in such a situation is to know anyone involved with it. I also recently found out some co-workers are Virginia Tech alumni.

Life is weird.

Go Hokies (never even heard of their mascot before the shootings, probably never forget the name now....).

  • Link to CNN blog post
  • 2007/04/19

    USMC Rules for Gunfighting

    At a friend's request, I have posted the USMC Rules for Gunfighting. May you never need them, but if you do wind up at the OK Corral, these are a good place to start... NOTE: These rules were posted at Military.com. I can't find the original page, so if you have the link, leave it in the comments and I will update the posting...

    1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.

    2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Your life is expensive.

    3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.

    4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough nor using cover correctly.

    5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)

    6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

    7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

    8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.

    9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun.

    9.5 Use a gun that works EVERY TIME.

    10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

    11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

    12. Have a plan.

    13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.

    14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

    15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

    16. Don't drop your guard.

    17. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees.

    18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them).

    19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.

    20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

    21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

    22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

    23. Your number one Option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.

    24. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with a ".4"