Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

Warrior:
This precept is similar to the advice given by Daidoji Yuzan (1639 –
1730) in the Budoshoshinshu, a collection of essays he wrote before
his death that attempted to address the true meaning of what it
meant to be a member of the warrior class and the paradox of that
class’ existence during times of peace. In William Scott Wilson’s
translation, Budoshoshinshu: The Warrior’s Primer of Daidoji Yuzan,
he titled the forty-second essay, “Even If One’s Stipend Is
Diminished He Should Make No Complaint.” This section begins,
“There will likely be a time when the lord whom a warrior is serving
may incur a large expense which causes problems for the clan’s
financial administration and disrupts normal operations. The lord
may wish to borrow a certain sum from the stipends ordinarily
accorded to the clan’s retainers for a few years. Regardless of how
much the amount may be, one should humbly comply and never let
even a hint of complaint slip out in his conversations with wife and
children, much less in front of others. To do otherwise is not the
basic intention of a warrior, and is something to be avoided at all
costs.”

---

This is a precept that I definitely agree with, as resentment and
complaint bring nothing positive. They are merely a waste of time.
Not that I haven’t complained now and then, but looking back, it’s
never been a productive use of my energy. Pondering this, I couldn’t
help but think of Carlos Hathcock, the famous United States Marine
Corps Scout Sniper.
[15]
Sitting here, I can look over at my copy of
Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills by Charles Henderson. My copy is
signed, not by Henderson, but by Gunny Sergeant Hathcock himself.
I think about the Christmas cards from him and his wife Jo that are
tucked away in a keepsake box; and I remember the conversations
we had over the phone, including the last time I talked with Jo when
Carlos couldn’t come to the phone any longer.
[16]
I think about him because he was a man I greatly admired, and who
had many reasons to resent and complain about what happened to
him, but he didn’t. Gunny Hathcock was a legend in the sniping
community. Even though I went through the 2nd Infantry Division
Scout Sniper School with the U.S. Army, we still knew of the Marine
Corps legend. The Viet Cong nicknamed Hathcock “Long Trang,”
which means “White Feather,” because of the white feather he kept
in a band on his bush hat. After a platoon of Vietnamese snipers was
sent to hunt him down, many of his fellow Marines donned similar
white feathers in order to deceive the enemy. Knowing the impact
that Hathcock’s death would have to morale, they took it upon
themselves to become targets in order to confuse enemy counter-
snipers. I was honored to share correspondences with him and have
the conversations we had.
Gunny Hathcock sustained severe burns and combat injuries while
selflessly saving seven other Marines from a burning amtrac
(amphibious tractor). On top of this, multiple sclerosis attacked his
legs and body leaving him wheelchair-bound during his last years.
And during his last few years he was also diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease. Despite his infirmities, Carlos carried on with
dignity and courage and always had time for others. Again, I’m
honored to be among those others.

---

I remember one of our conversations when I mentioned how I really
respected how he continued to teach and help others, especially in
the military and law enforcement communities. His reply, “Well, you
can’t sit around and be a slug.” I remember his encouraging words
when I shared that someone close to me was diagnosed with MS
too. But most of all, I remember a man who had every right to resent
what happened to him, and who could have complained about any of
the numerous obstacles he had to face, but instead remained
positive and did everything he could within his restricted physical
limitations to help others.
Gunny Sergeant Hatchcock was a warrior and a hero.
[17]
Not only for
his sniping exploits during the Vietnam War, which were
extraordinary, nor only for heroically saving those seven Marines at
great expense to himself. Carlos was a warrior for those acts and
everything he did after the war right up until he passed away at the
too young age of 57. His dedication and service to others without
resentment or complaint lead me to believe that he would agree
wholeheartedly with Miyamoto Musashi’s precept 9. And, I agree
with both of these men. Semper Fi Gunny!