11 Generals Orders

The General Orders for Sentries are quite similar between the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps,
the main differences being the titles of positions referenced in the orders. The Navy Junior Reserve
Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC), Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) also use the
following General Orders to the Sentry.

The U.S. Department of the Navy gives the General Orders for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine
Corps as follows:

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

When you are a sentry, you are "in charge." This means that no one—no matter what their rank or
position—may overrule your authority in carrying out your orders. The only way that you may be
exempted from carrying out your orders is if your orders are changed by your superior. For example,
if your orders are to allow no one to enter a fenced-in compound, you must prevent everyone from
entering, even if an admiral tells you it is all right for him or her to enter. The petty officer of the
watch (or whoever is your immediate superior) may modify your orders to allow the admiral to enter,
but without that authorization you must keep the admiral out. Situations such as this will not often, if
ever, occur, but it is important that you understand the principles involved. It is also your
responsibility to know the limits of your post. This information will be conveyed to you among your
special orders. You must also treat all government property that you can see as though it were your
own, even if it is not technically part of your assigned post.[1]

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing
everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

"Keep your eyes peeled", as the expression goes. Be vigilant by looking around at all times. Do not
be tempted to hide from the rain or cold in poor weather. If you see or hear anything unusual,
investigate it

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

If, for example, someone is climbing a fence near your post, you must report it, even if the offender
stops climbing and runs away after your challenge. In this case, even though it appears that the
threat to security is over, there is no way for you to know whether this violator is the only one
involved. And even though the climber may have just been seeking a shortcut back to her or his
ship, you cannot be certain that there is not something more sinister involved. Let your superiors
make the judgment calls; your job is to report what happens on or near your post

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
"In these days of modern communications, sentries will probably have telephones or radios at their
disposal with which to make their reports. But if they do not, or if there is a power failure or some
other reason that the modern equipment fails, the age-old practice of relaying the word is very
important. The term "guardhouse" in this general order refers to the command post or point of control
for the watches. It might be the quarterdeck on board ship or a tent in the field

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

It should be fairly obvious that you should not leave your post until someone has come to take your
place or until the petty officer of the guard has told you that the watch is no longer necessary. If the
person relieving you is late, report it to the petty officer of the watch but do not quit your post. If you
become ill and can no longer stand your watch, notify the petty officer of the watch and he or she will
provide you a proper relief.[1]

6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from
the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and all Officers and
Petty Officers of the watch only..

It is essential that you receive and obey all of the special orders that apply to your watch. It is also
essential that you pass these orders on to your relief.

For the Marine Corps it reads 'Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, Officers, and Non-
Commissioned Officers of the guard only.'

7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

"Having conversations about matters not pertaining to your duty is distracting and must be avoided.
If someone tries to engage you in casual conversation while you are standing your watch, it is your
responsibility to inform them courteously that you are on duty and cannot talk with them.[1]

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

"While this is rather straightforward and obvious, keep in mind that a fire or disorder of some kind
might be a deliberate distraction to keep you from observing some other disorderly or subversive
activity. If you are certain that a fire is not meant to be a distraction, you should fight the fire if you
have the means to do so. Remember, however, that your first responsibility is to report whatever is
amiss.

9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

The rule here is "When in doubt, ask." If you are not sure what you are supposed to do in a particular
situation, it is better to ask for clarification than to make an assumption or to guess.

10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
Even though you are in charge of your post and everyone, including officers, must obey your
instructions insofar as they pertain to your duties, you must still extend the appropriate military
courtesies. Both terms, "colors" and "standards", refer to the national ensign. The national ensign
may be referred to as "the colors" when it is fixed to a staff, mast, or pike (e.g., when flown from a
flagstaff or carried in a parade). When it is fixed to a vehicle it is often called "the national standard."
A flag is considered "cased" when it is furled and placed in a protective covering. If your duties allow,
you should take part in morning or evening colors ceremonies, but do not sacrifice your vigilance by
doing so. For example, if your assignment requires that you watch a certain area and the national
ensign is being hoisted in a different direction, you should stand at attention and salute but do not
face the colors; keep looking in the direction you are supposed to be watching.

11. To be especially watchful at night and during the time for challenging, to challenge all
persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Challenging persons while you are on sentry duty is accomplished by a mix of custom and common
sense. When a person or party approaches your post, you should challenge them at a distance that
is sufficient for you to react if they turn out to have hostile intentions. You should say in a firm voice,
loud enough to be easily heard, "Halt! Who goes there?" (or "Who is there?"). Once the person
answers, you should then say "Advance to be recognized." If you are challenging a group of people,
you should say, "Advance one to be recognized." If you have identified the person or persons
approaching, permit them to pass. If you are not satisfied with that person's identification, you must
detain the person and call the petty officer of the watch. When two or more individuals approach
from different directions at the same time, challenge each in turn and require each to halt until told to
proceed.

General Orders for the Navy and Coast Guard are essentially the same, except for the wording of
two orders:

 6. To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding
Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch
only.
 9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

General Orders of the Coast Guard:

 6 is similar, however there is a difference in the officers.: To receive, obey and pass on the
sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Field Officer of the day, Officer
of the day, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch.
 9. To call the Petty Officer of the watch in any case not covered by instructions.