Explore 12 of Gibbs rules from NCIS, their meanings, and why they still resonate today.
a gruff ex-Marine with a coffee in one hand and a no-nonsense glare that could stop a suspect dead in their tracks.
That’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs for you, the heart and soul of NCIS for 19 seasons.
His rules? They weren’t just random sayings—they were his code, his way of keeping his team sharp and alive.
Even after Mark Harmon hung up Gibbs’ badge in 2021, those rules keep kicking around in NCIS: Origins and the flagship show’s 22nd season, wrapping up May 5.
“My wife believed we all should have a code to live by,” Gibbs growled in a voiceover on Origins.
“So I wrote my own rules down on napkins, scraps of paper.
Followed ‘em to the letter.” Let’s dig into 12 of those gems and unpack why they still matter.
No. 1: Never screw over your partner
You’re in the thick of it—bullets flying, stakes high. Who’s got your back? Your partner. Gibbs knew trust wasn’t optional; it was everything.
Betray that, and you’re toast. (Oh, and there’s another No. 1: “Never let suspects stay together.” Gibbs always had a backup plan.)
No. 2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene
Seems simple, right? Don’t muck up the evidence. But it’s bigger than that. It’s about showing up ready—gloves on, head in the game.
Gibbs didn’t mess around with half-prepared agents, and he’d expect the same from you.
No. 3: Never believe what you’re told; double-check
People lie. Even the good ones. Gibbs drilled it into his team: question everything, verify it twice. Trust your gut, not just your ears.
(And yeah, there’s a second No. 3: “Never be unreachable.” When the phone rings, you pick it up—period.)
No. 4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself.
Want to lock something down tight? Don’t breathe a word. Gibbs’ follow-up? “Second best, tell one person—if you must. There’s no third best.” Loose lips don’t just sink ships; they blow cases wide open.
No. 9: Never go anywhere without a knife
A knife isn’t just a weapon—it’s a lifeline. Gibbs carried one everywhere, ready to cut through trouble or fight his way out. Preparation meets survival.
You never know when you’ll need that edge.
No. 12: Never date a coworker
Mixing romance with work? Good luck. Gibbs saw the fallout—DiNozzo and Ziva, Torres and Bishop, even Palmer and Knight.
Drama, heartbreak, tension. He tried to dodge it himself but didn’t always succeed. Lesson learned: keep it separate.
No. 14: Bend the line, don’t break it
Rules aren’t rigid, but they’ve got limits. Gibbs knew how to twist a situation without snapping it apart. It’s savvy, not reckless.
NCIS: Origins even named an episode “Bend, Don’t Break” in 2024—proof it still resonates.
No. 28: When you need help, ask.
Swallowing pride isn’t weak—it’s smart. Gibbs didn’t care about egos; he cared about results.
Stuck on a case or drowning personally? Reach out. The team’s stronger for it.
No. 35: Always watch the watchers
The brass, the overseers—they’re not infallible. Gibbs kept tabs on the ones calling the shots.
Stay sharp, and you might dodge a disaster they didn’t see coming.
No. 36: If it feels like you’re being played, you probably are
Instincts don’t lie. Something smell fishy? Trust that hunch. Gibbs lived by it, and it saved his team more times than you can count. Don’t second-guess the gut.
No. 51: Sometimes you’re wrong
Even Gibbs screwed up. The trick? Own it. Season 7’s finale, “Rule Fifty-One,” hammered it home—admit the mistake, move on. Clinging to being right just digs a deeper hole.
No. 91: When you decide to walk away, never look back
Gibbs named his boat Rule 91 for a reason. When he swam away from its wreckage and later ditched NCIS for Alaska, he didn’t glance back.
Done is done. Let it go and keep moving.
These rules aren’t just TV fodder—they’re a playbook for life. Gibbs built them from grit, loss, and a hell of a lot of coffee.
They’ve outlived his screen time because they’re real: trust your people, stay ready, know when to bend.
So, next time you’re in a jam, think—what’d Gibbs scribble on that napkin?