Gunny Writes On Getting “Squared Away Like A Marine”

I know that R. Lee Ermey – the Gunny – is one of the more popular celebrities at the NRA Annual Meeting. He usually can be found signing autographs at the Glock booth and there is always a long line to get autograph.

He has recently written a book on how what he learned in the Marine Corps helped him succeed in Hollywood. The book is entitled, “Gunny’s Rules: How to Get Squared Away like a Marine”. I have posted the publisher’s release on the book. As soon as I have finished reading it, I will post a review.

From Regnery Publishing:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—“If you’re reading this book, you probably know me well enough to know that I don’t mince words, gild lilies, or play politically correct games,” says R. Lee Ermey, a.k.a. “The Gunny,” iconic star of Full Metal Jacket, TV host of Mail Call and Lock N’ Load, and former Marine Corps Drill Instructor. “If you want it straight, damn straight, you’ll get it here.” Too many Americans are overweight, under motivated, and expecting their dream lives to fall right into their laps.

In Gunny’s Rules: How to Get Squared Away like a Marine (Regnery Publishing; Hardcover; November 11, 2013; $27.95), Ermey holds nothing back, revealing how he got his life “squared away” and how readers can do the same if they are willing to get off the couch and follow instructions. From lessons learned in his beloved Marine Corps to his film career and the making of Full Metal Jacket, Ermey will surprise even his most loyal fans with stories and insights from his journey as The Gunny.

Ermey’s fiery exhortations are a kick in the backside for folks to whip their lives, careers, families, and bodies into shape.

In Gunny’s Rules you will learn:

  • The inside story of how The Gunny grew up in the school of hard knocks and how the Marine Corps made him a man and prepared him for success in civilian life.

  • How The Gunny talked his way into the movie business—and into a starring role in Full Metal Jacket.

  • Why having a job and a paycheck should be goal number one in life and dependence on unemployment checks and food stamps is like quicksand.

  • How The Gunny keeps fit in a time when too many people are overweight—and why impressions are against those who are.

  • Leaders earn their stripes—nobody is born a leader. Leaders evolve by gaining responsibility a little at a time, learning, and striving to get better.

  • “Major malfunctions” happen, and life isn’t a cakewalk. When things go against you, learn from the experience, tighten up the ship, and move on.

The Gunny On Voting

The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (sic) has been running a campaign of sorts where they try to dish dirt on NRA Board Members. The Gunny, R. Lee Ermey, is one of the Board that they’ve profiled. Of course what they call “dirt” is, for the most part, what the rest of the world calls normal.

Now here is something that should really get them peeved. The Gunny is pushing voter registration. I am sure that they will find someway to say that the Gunny is demeaning librarians and is only encouraging gun rights extremism at the polls.

As someone who has been registered to vote since the day I turned 18 – and yes, I did it on my birthday – I think what the Gunny is doing is fantastic. There is no excuse for anyone who is pro-gun rights not to be registered to vote. That county commissioner or city councilman can do as much or more to restrict your gun rights as anyone running for President. Think about that.

The Gunny Won’t Like This

If you saw the movie Full Metal Jacket, you know that R. Lee Ermey played drill instructor GySgt Hartman and that Vincent D’Onofrio played Pvt. Pyle. Unlike Mr. D’Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey actually served in the Marine Corps and was a real-life drill instructor. The Gunny is also pro-gun rights.

The Citizens Crime Commission of New York City bills itself as “an independent nonprofit organization working to make criminal justice and public safety policies and practices more effective through innovation, research, and education.” It is also self-described as non-partisan.

To which I say bullshit.

Richard M. Aborn who appears at the end of this little lesson in propaganda is not just some civic minded do-gooder. Read what an organization for whom served as President from 1992 until 1996 says about him:

Mr. Aborn was President of Handgun Control, Inc and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence from 1992 to 1996.

Richard was one of the principal strategists behind the passage of the landmark Brady Bill and the federal assault weapons and large capacity clips ban. He has testified on Capitol Hill and in numerous state and local legislatures and worked closely with the White House, the Justice Department and the Treasury Department. As one of the chief spokespersons for Handgun Control, Mr. Aborn appeared on numerous national and local television and radio shows.

Currently, Richard is a partner of Constantine Cannon and has over two decades of experience in litigation, public and government affairs, program analysis, management, issue advocacy, and social sector enterprises.

That organization is, of course, the Brady Campaign which was formerly know as Handgun Control, Inc. and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Mr. Aborn is also on the Board of Directors of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence which is actively promoting the video above.

Mr. D’Onofrio is just another actor who has willingly let himself be used by an anti-gun organization.