Fact check - There is a MCO (Marine Corps Order) that states if you carry an M-9 you will carry it Condition 1.
You might want to read that a little closer. First, it is from 1995, second it refers to carry in a fairly narrow set of circumstances, and third is specifically excludes "All military and civilian personnel under Marine Corps
control operating under the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in a
combat zone in time of war, a designated hostile fire area or
a designated civil distrubance mission area."
But if you disagree I guess you need to take that up with John. Farnams Quips and Quote, 2007:
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Pistols in Baghdad
01 May 07
Comments on personal weapons management, from a pilot who is one of our students, currently stationed in Baghdad:
"I couldn't help but to respond regarding this subject, as I am currently dealing with the same nonsense. I am here in the Green Zone as part of an aviation unit.
Base commanders have decreed that there are three condition for personal firearms (rifles and pistols), Green, Amber, and Red.
While in the Green Zone, personal weapons must be 'Green.' We would call it 'storage-mode,' no magazine inserted, empty chamber. One may carry rifles and pistols and have a charged magazine or two with him, but they may never be inserted into magazine wells.
'Amber' we would call 'transport-mode.' Charged magazine inserted, but no round chambered. The only ones authorized to carry in Amber are Security Forces, and only when they are actually working as such. At all other times, they are expendable peons like the rest of us.
'Red' is what we would call 'carry-mode,' but it is only theoretical, as no one may have a weapon in that condition. Weapons are NEVER actually carried in 'Red.'
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And there are many more in this vein.