Gibbs’ Rules

In yesterday’s post, I mentioned a couple of rules. For those that are interested, here’s the complete list.

Live by the rules, die by the rules.

Rule 1- "Never let suspects stay together"- the first rule of an investigation and not a real Gibbs rule that was revealed during the Season 1 premiere episode, Yankee White (episode).

Rule 1 a- "Never screw over your partner"- as revealed in the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode) which McGee quoted to Abigail Borin during the Season 8 episode, Ships in the Night (episode) and during "Ships in the Night", McGee also reveals that number one has been taken twice, showing that he knows that there are two number one rules.

Rule 2- "Always wear gloves at a crime scene"- revealed during "Yankee White".

Rule 3- "Don't believe what you're told. Double check"- again revealed during Yankee White.

Rule 3- "Never be unreachable"- revealed during the Season 3 episode, Deception (episode) and a rule that Gibbs's mentor, Mike Franks created although Gibbs has been known to be intentionally be unreachable. The rule was shown in Rule Fifty-One in the background when Gibbs opens the box.

Rule 4- "The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best"- revealed during the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode).

Rule 5- "You don't waste good"- revealed during the Season 8 episode, Baltimore (episode).

Rule 6- "Never say you're sorry. It's a sign of weakness"- revealed during Flesh and Blood (episode). This rule has been mentioned throughout the series, but only in this episode was it given a specific number. The rule is also a direct reference to John Wayne's catch phrase in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon (John Ford, Director). Wayne said: "Never apologize, mister, it's a sign of weakness." to subordinates in a military situation. Mark Harmon's career has paralleled John Wayne's. They both were quarterback of their southern California college football team, both went into acting. (Harmon's father, Tom Harmon, was a Heisman Trophy winner and actor & announcer as well.) Note: This is continuously told to Tony, Ziva and Tim through a smack to the back of their heads.

Rule 7- "Always be specific when you lie- revealed during the Season 1 finale episode, Reveille (episode).

Rule 8- "Never take anything for granted"- revealed during the Season 3 episode, "Probie" although Gibbs later re-quotes it as being "Never assume" during the Season 9 episode, Rekindled (episode).

Rule 9- "Never go anywhere without a knife"- revealed during the Season 1 episode, One Shot, One Kill (episode)although it's sometimes quoted as "Never leave home without a knife" or "Always carry a knife".

Rule 10- "Never get personally involved in a case"- revealed in the Season 7 episode, Obsession (episode) and again referenced by the new SECNAV Clayton Jarvis in the Season 9 premiere episode, Nature of the Beast (episode) as the number one rule in Washington politics.

Rule 11- "When the job is done, walk away"- revealed during the Season 6 episode, Semper Fidelis (episode).

Rule 12- "Never date a co-worker"- revealed during the Season 1 episode, Enigma (episode).

Rule 13- "Never, ever involve lawyers"- revealed during "Rule 51" and "Collateral Damage".

Rule 15- "Always work as a team"- revealed during Leap of Faith (episode).

Rule 16- "If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it"- revealed during the Season 8 finale episode,Pyramid (episode).

Rule 18- "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission"- revealed during Silver War (episode).

Rule 22- "Never ever bother Gibbs in interrogation"- revealed during Smoked (episode).

Rule 23- "Never mess with a Marine's coffee... if you want to live"- revealed during Forced Entry (episode).

Rule 27- "There are two ways to follow someone. First way, they never notice you. Second way, they only notice you"- during Jack Knife (episode) and "Rule Fifty-One".

Rule 35- "Always watch the watchers- revealed during "Baltimore".

Rule 36- "If you feel like you are being played, you probably are"- revealed during "Nature of the Beast".

Rule 38- "Your case, your lead"- revealed during Bounce (episode).

Rule 39- "There is no such thing as coincidence"- revealed during Obsession although DiNozzo states that Rule 39A is "There is no such thing as a small world" during Canary (episode).

Rule 40- "If it seems like someone is out to get you, they are"- revealed during Borderland (episode).

Rule 42- "Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker punched you"- revealed during Psych Out (episode).

Rule 44- "First things first, hide the women and children"- revealed during Patriot Down (episode). This rule was mentioned in this episode, but did not receive a number until "Rule Fifty One".

Rule 45- "Clean up the mess that you make"- revealed during Fifty One although it's also stated as "Never leave behind loose ends" as revealed during Judgment Day Part 2 (episode).

Rule 51- "Sometimes you're wrong"- revealed during Rule Fifty-One and it's a new rule that Gibbs creates by writing it on the back of the card containing Rule 13- "Never ever involve a lawyer". It is unknown if his coworkers are aware of this rule.

Rule 69- "Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man"- revealed during Devil's Triangle (episode).

Unnumbered Rules

• "Never date a woman that eats more than you do." - as said by Tony during Singled Out (episode).
• In my country, on my team, working my cases, my people don't bypass the chain of command"- revealed by Gibbs during a talk with Ziva in "Switch".
• The Unspoken Rule- as revealed by Franks- You do what you have to do for family- revealed during Spider and the Fly (episode).
• Don't work the system when you can work the people- revealed during Hung Out to Dry (episode).
• Don't stop checking and rechecking evidence until you are satisfied.
• If you want to find something, you follow it. (Said by Gibbs to Mike Franks in "Deliverance" with Gibbs adding that he learned that one from Mike).
• Besides Rule 13, Gibbs has 6 other rules involving lawyers, but, according to DiNozzo, "You only need to know number 13; it's the umbrella one."
• Never second guess yourself in a relationship and life.

Other Rules

• Abigail Borin, Gibbs' counterpart at CGIS, also has a set of rules. The only one currently known is her Rule #1: Never make excuses.
• McGee has formed his own set of rules. Only 1 is known:

Rule #1 Never lie to Gibbs.

• When DiNozzo was in charge, he made a set of rules.

Rule #1: Don't sit on the sidelines while your people are in trouble.

Rule #3: Never underestimate your opponent- revealed during Hiatus Part 2.

• Abby also has her own rules.

Rule #1: Do not lie to Abby- revealed during "Toxic".

Rule #9: Always keep a spare- revealed during "Jeopardy".

• Jimmy Palmer once had a rule.

Jimmy's Rule #1: Pipettes can never be too clean.