NCIS: 5 Gibbs Rules That Are Just Great Life Advice

Any "NCIS" fan worth their salt knows that Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) abides by a strict set of principles when it comes to solving cases. From "never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live" to "never date a coworker," viewers gradually discovered new "Gibbs rules" throughout Harmon's run on "NCIS," even if the full list was never revealed. Over time, these rules became a defining aspect of Gibbs: a prudent, no-nonsense investigator who never forgets a lesson once he's learned it. 

While Gibbs primarily uses his rules to navigate cases, "NCIS" revealed in Season 6, Episode 4, "Heartland," that their inspiration came from a conversation with his future wife Shannon (played in the flashback by Aviva Baumann), who told him that "everyone needs a code they can live by." That origin makes it clear that Gibbs' rules were never meant just for the NCIS bullpen. With that in mind, here are five "Gibbs rules" that aren't just memorable to "NCIS" fans, but offer some genuinely useful advice for everyday life.

This is one of the two Rule #1s in Gibbs' arsenal (he famously duplicated numbers). The characters on "NCIS" go up against dangerous criminals regularly, but they couldn't do any of it without the support of their team. The series has repeatedly explored what happens when an agent withholds information or acts without their partner's knowledge, reinforcing the importance Gibbs places on trust and loyalty among his team.

Like many of the adages on Gibbs' list, this sage piece of advice doesn't just apply to special agents chasing bad guys. No matter who you are, everybody is a part of some kind of team, and no matter how much you may disagree with the people you love or work with, it's important to have their back. If you can't trust the people you surround yourself with, then what's the point? Practicing loyalty in one's relationships can serve a person well in the long run, just as it serves the characters of "NCIS." 

Rule #39 is a necessary reminder for NCIS agents tackling a difficult case. When in the thick of an investigation with many moving parts, it can be easy to miss red flags, which is exactly why Gibbs trains his agents to study even the most subtle patterns. Whether they're tracking the Port-to-Port Killer (Kerr Smith) or notorious terrorist Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin), this entry on Gibbs' list reminds NCIS agents that chalking seemingly innocuous events up to coincidence can often have dire consequences.

Gibbs' 39th rule also encourages "NCIS" viewers to stay attentive to the events of their lives and analyze them in context. If you're swamped with a busy day at work or tangled up in a hectic to-do list, it can be easy to miss recurring patterns or unexpected connections. But stepping back and looking at the bigger picture can reveal opportunities that you may not have noticed otherwise. Keeping alert to recurring patterns can help you discover things about yourself and be better prepared when life throws you for a loop.

Agent Gibbs rarely misses any of the shots he takes. Not only is he literally the most skilled marksman on the NCIS team, but his keen instincts help him put away criminals and save his team members on a regular basis. All that being said, even Gibbs' intuition isn't always correct, and he knows that remembering that fact can make him a better investigator.

Gibbs first established this rule in a Season 7 episode aptly titled "Rule Fifty-One," making it one of the later additions to the NCIS agent's extensive list. It's a fitting addition for a character who has spent years learning that even his instincts aren't infallible. While remembering that you're not always right can be difficult, doing so is an undeniable sign of maturity, whether you're an NCIS agent or a civilian. There's not a single person who can make the right call all the time, and believing that you can will lead you down a dangerous path. It's a rule that we could all do better to remember.

No matter who they are, no character on "NCIS" is safe from grief, and they often find that the biggest losses can seemingly come out of nowhere. The Season 18 revelation that medical examiner Jimmy Palmer's wife Breena (Michelle Pierce) had died from COVID-19 complications caught viewers off guard. The unforgettable murder of Agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) in the Season 2 finale left even Gibbs himself reeling. It's no wonder that the eighth rule on Gibbs' list encourages his teammates to treasure the things that they have while they still have them. Gibbs knows how quickly life can change.

Everybody experiences grief at some point in their lives, whether they're an NCIS agent or an "NCIS" viewer. And while we may never be able to totally anticipate heartbreak, we can make a point of appreciating the things and people we love and letting nothing go unsaid. Rule #8 emphasizes the importance of not treating the best parts of your life like they will always be there.

Gibbs' list of rules resulted from many years of tough experiences and hard-won wisdom. But the former NCIS agent also knows it's best not to live your life in the past. Much of Gibbs' time on "NCIS" was spent grappling with his ghosts: the murder of his wife and daughter haunted Gibbs for many years, and he was deeply affected by the losses of his teammates. Over time, Gibbs learned that dwelling on past regrets or failures doesn't change what happened. 

We all have a tendency to beat ourselves up for our mistakes. But the errors of the past can never be rewritten, and dwelling on them can make it harder to move forward. In a way, many of Gibbs' mottos embody Rule #91: Once you've learned your lesson, there's little use worrying over everything you could have done differently. All you need to do is mark it down, remember it for next time, and, just like Gibbs, keep moving forward.