Orders to The Sentry
All cadets will sound off in a loud, clear voice when asked for a particular order as shown in the following example:
"Sir (or Ma'am), the fifth Order to the Sentry is: Quit my post only when properly relieved, Sir (or Ma'am)."
1. Take charge of this post and all government property in view.
You are responsible for the area and equipment within the boundaries of your post; you have authority to challenge persons within the area, and report anything you observe out of the ordinary.
2. Walk my post in military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing every thing that takes place within sight or hearing.
Keep turning your head as you walk you post, observing everything ahead and to the sides. If you hear a strange noise, investigate it. During times of bad weather and darkness, you must stay awake and alert.
3. Report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
If a person is doing something from thoughtlessness, you need only remind the individual of the regulation being broken. If you see a person starting to light a cigarette in a no smoking zone, for example, or a visitor blundering into a restricted area, you need only tell the person the regulation in effect. If the person is willfully violating the regulation, however, like trying to jump a fence or steal property, you must call and report the offense. In every instance, try to remember what the offender looked like so you may identify the person. Do not leave your post to chase the person unless immediate action is required.
4. Repeat all call from posts more distant from the guardhouse or the quarter deck than my own.
Suppose you are on the 3rd post from the guardhouse or quarterdeck. To call the petty officer of the watch for any purpose other than relief, fire, or disorder, you call" petty officer of the watch, post number 3." If not in contact by radio or sound-powered phone, the Sentry at post number 2 will repeat your call, giving your number, and so will sentry number 1. Thus, the petty officer will know immediately which post to go to. Similarly, if the sentry number 4 calls out, repeat the call, giving his or her number.
5. Quit my post only when properly relieved.
If you are not relieved on time, do not abandon your post, but call the petty officer of the watch for instructions. If you require relief because of sickness or other reason, call, " petty officer of the watch, post number____, relief."
6. Recieve, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relives me, all orders from the commanding officer, command duty officer, officer of the day, officer of the deck, and all officers and petty officers of the watch only.
During your tour of duty, you are subject to the orders of the commanding officer, executive officer, officer of the day, and the officers and petty officers of the watch only. Other officers and petty officers have no authority to take or inspect your weapon, to tell you how to stand your watch, or to order you to leave your post. Such other officers, however, still have the authority to investigate your conduct and to report it.
You obey orders only from officers whom you know are authorized to give commands related to your sentry duty. However, a passing naval officer who believes you are standing a poor watch may ask your name and post and report any observations to your superior.
7. Talk to no one except in the line of duty.
When you challenge or talk with a person, take the position of port arms, if armed. Answer questions briefly, but courteously. Normally, if you maintain silence and military bearing, visitors will not try to engage you in long conversations. If, however, visitors or other naval personnel show a desire to pass the time of the day with you, you must say politely to them "excuse me, I am on duty and cannot talk with you further. Please move on." If they refuse to move on, or show signs of becoming disorderly, you should call for the petty officer of the watch. Remember, if your superiors see you chatting while on duty, they will hold you responsible, not your visitor.
8. Give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
In case of fire, you immediately call, "Fire post number____" and sound whatever alarm is available. When you are sure your alarm has been heard by other sentries or by the petty officer of the watch, see what you can do about putting out the fire if you can do so safely and without leaving your post; otherwise, remain where you can direct apparatus to the fire. Remember that the fire may be a trick to lure you away from your post. You must remain vigilant, even amid the confusion and excitement that accompanies a fire. What we have said about fire applies also for disorder. In the event of a disorder, call the petty officer of the watch immediately; then try to quiet the trouble. If you approach the disorder first, you might be overcome and then could not give the alarm. Sometimes you can stop a disorder before it becomes too serious by calling to the persons involved, "I have reported you to the petty officer of the watch, who will be along immediately. Come to order now; further trouble will make matters worse for you." The persons concerned may realize you are right and follow your orders. If they do, maintain watch over them but do not approach too closely.
9. Call the corporal of the guard or officer of the deck in any case not covered by instructions.
When you do not know what to do, call the officer of the deck.
10. Salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
As used here, colors and standards both refer to the national ensign. The ensign is called the national colors (or just colors) when it is flying from a staff or pike carried by an individual or displayed in a fixed location, as from a flagpole. When mounted on a vehicle, the ensign is called the national standard. (Colors and standards are cased when they are furled and placed in a protected covering.) For sentries, the rules for saluting are the same as for non-watchstanders with the following modifications;
a. If you are walking your post or patrolling while armed with a rifle, you halt and salute by presenting arms; when at sling arms you render the hand salute.
b. If you are in a sentry box, you stand at attention in the doorway when an officer approaches; if you are armed with a rifle, you present arms. If otherwise armed, you render the hand salute. If you are on duty in front of a building or passageway entrance where there is heavy traffic of officers, you may render the rifle salute at order arms. If you are in a conversation with an officer, you do not interrupt the conversation to salute another officer. If the officer with you salutes a senior, however, then you also salute.
c. During the time of challenging, you do not salute an officer until the officer has advanced and has been duly recognized. You do not salute if to do so will interfere with the proper execution of your specific duties.
11. Be especially watchful at night and during the time for challenging, challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
When you see a person approaching your post, take the position of port arms (if armed) and call" Halt! Who is there?" The challenge must be made at a distant sufficient to prevent your being rushed by the person being challenged. If the person answers" Friend" or " Petty officer of the watch" or gives another reply indicating a friendly nature, call, "Advance (friend, and so on) to be recognized." If you challenge a party of persons, after receiving a reply indicating the part is friendly, you call, "Advance one person to be recognized." When you have identified the one, you have the person bring up the rest of the party and identify each individual. You must positively identify all persons challenged before permitting them to pass.
If you cannot identify them to your satisfaction, detain them and call the petty officer of the watch. Never permit more than one person to advance at a time. If two persons approach at one time, have them halt; then advance the senior and pass that person (if properly identified) before advancing the other person. If the people are in a vehicle, you halt them and inspect the driver's or the passenger's credentials, as appropriate. (Normally, inspecting the driver of a military vehicle is sufficient; but for a commercial truck or taxi, you should check the passengers too.) If you believe there is something suspicious about the vehicle or its occupants, direct one of the occupants to get out and approach you for recognition. If you are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the people are authorized to pass, detain the person pr party and call the petty officer of the watch. When challenging, advancing, and passing persons and patrols, always stand where you can get a good look at them in such a way that you are protected from a surprise attack.