General Orders
General Orders
1. "To
take charge of this post and all government property in view."
Where your post is and the limits of your post will be spelled out in your
special orders. Within these limits a sentry has authority over all persons
entering on his post.
2. "To
walk my post in a military manner keeping always on the alert and observing
everything that takes place within sight or hearing."
When you take charge of your post you will conduct
yourself ina military manner at all times; being alert to everything that
takes place around you.
3. "To report all violations
of orders I am instructed to enforce." A
sentry will report immediately any violation of orders, apprehending (to
temporarily hold) any offender.
4. "To
repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own."
If another sentry calls to the Corporal of the Guard and you are closer
to the guardhouse than he is, repeat the call exactly as you heard it.
5. "To
quit my post only when properly relieved." A
sentry may leave his post to apprehend an individual who is violating an
order, but will at all other times remain on his post. If time comes for
his relief, he will not leave his post but will call the Corporal of the
Guard.
6. "To
receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from
the Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, officers and non-commissioned
officers of the guard only." Orders
may change or new orders may be received while you are walking your post.
You must be sure that your relief has these orders explained to him.
7. "To
talk to no one except in the line of duty." When
a sentry is asked a question, he answers briefly and courteously. You
will allow no one to remain on your post to carry on a conversation except
those members of the guard conducting inspections.
8. "To
give the alarm in case of fire or disorder."
The first rule is to sound the alarm loudly so that the Corporal of the
Guard will hear you. If there is a fire, sound the alarm and clear the
building. If a disorder comes about on your post, call the Corporal of
the Guard and attempt to apprehend the individuals causing the disorder.
9. "To
call the Corporal of the Guard in any case not covered by instructions."
When in doubt call the Corporal of the Guard. If a situation arises that
is not covered by either general or special orders, call the Corporal of
the Guard.
10. "To
salute all officers, colors, and standards not cased."
A sentry walking his post during periods when he does not have to challenge
and armed with a rifle (except at sling arms) will execute the proper rifle
salute to all officers on or near his post. If the sentry is at sling arms
he will render a hand salute. When a sentry is addressed by an officer,
before challenging or after challenging, the sentry while at the halt will
render a present arms. A sentry who is armed with a pistol does not salute
after challenging. He stands at raised pistol and holding a conversation,
he does not salute, but remains at raised pistol until the person has passed.
No salute will be rendered by a member of the Guard who is engaged in the
performance of a specific duty which would prevent saluting. Cased colors
or standards are those which are furled and enclosed in a protective covering.
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."
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