This website is not affiliated with the U.S. government or military.

Meaning of the General Orders

 

  1. I will guard
    anything within the limits of my
    post and quit my post only when
    properly relieved.


     

    1. The guard is
      responsible for everything that
      occurs within the limits of his
      post while he is on duty. He is
      also responsible for all
      equipment and property located
      within the limits of his post.
      The exact limits of his post are
      defined by special orders. The
      special orders should also
      include every place a guard must
      go to perform his duties.

    2. A guard
      investigates immediately every
      unusual or suspicious occurrence
      on or near his post provided he
      does not have to leave his post
      to do so. If necessary, the
      guard will contact the commander
      of the relief for instructions.

    3. A guard
      apprehends all suspicious
      persons and all persons involved
      in a disorder occurring on or
      near his post provided he does
      not have to leave his post to do
      so. In apprehending persons, the
      guard will use only necessary
      force to overcome any
      resistance. Apprehension of
      persons should be included in
      special orders or guard
      instructions. All persons
      apprehended are turned over to
      the commander of the relief.

    4. All persons,
      regardless of rank, are required
      to respect members of the guard
      in the performance of their
      duties.

    5. A guard will
      remain on post and continue to
      perform all duties required on
      that post until he is relieved
      by proper authority.

    6. If a guard
      requires relief because of
      sickness or for any other
      reason, he will notify the
      commander of the relief and wait
      until he is replaced by another
      guard or has permission from the
      proper authorities to leave his
      post.

    7. If a guard is
      not relieved at the expiration
      of his tour of duty, he does not
      abandon his post. He will
      contact the commander of the
      relief for instructions.

    8. Guards leave
      their posts for meals as
      specifically directed by the
      commanding officer. Normally,
      this is accomplished by
      arranging for early and late
      meals for guards going on and
      coming off post.

    9. When ordered by
      proper authority, or prescribed
      in the special orders, a guard
      on the last relief of a post may
      be directed to leave the post at
      the proper time and return to
      the guardhouse where he reports
      to the commander of the relief
      on duty.


       


  2. I will obey
    my special orders and perform
    all my duties in a military
    manner.


     

    1. A guard will
      familiarize himself with the
      special orders for his post
      prior to being posted. The guard
      will obey, execute, and enforce
      all special orders pertaining to
      his post.

      Note. The
      commander of the guard is
      responsible for insuring that
      all guards understand their
      special instructions prior to
      being posted.

       

    2. In addition to
      his special orders, a guard is
      responsible to obey and carry
      out any orders or instructions
      from the commanding officer,
      field officer of the day, and
      officers and noncommissioned
      officers of the guard. No other
      persons are authorized to give a
      guard orders or instructions.
      Any special instructions for a
      guard should be issued through
      the guard’s chain of command.

    3. Guards on post
      will pass instructions to their
      relief when appropriate. The
      information is also given to the
      commander of the relief.
      Example: A guard on duty at an
      ammunition dump discovers a hole
      in the fence during his tour of
      duty. Upon finding the hole, the
      commander of the relief is
      notified. The guard will pass
      this information to his relief
      so that special attention can be
      paid to that portion of the
      fence until the hole is
      repaired.

    4. The guard will
      perform his duties in a military
      manner and serve as an example
      to others.

    5. The guard is
      courteous to all persons. He
      will talk to no one except in
      the line of duty. When persons
      make proper inquiries of a
      guard, he answers them in a
      courteous manner.

    6. A guard on an
      interior guard post maintains an
      erect and soldierly bearing. The
      weapon is carried in a manner
      prescribed by the commanding
      officer or commander of the
      guard. (A guard armed with a
      rifle, carbine, or shotgun may
      be allowed to shift his weapon
      to left shoulder arms to reduce
      fatigue.)

    7. Guards on post
      salute individuals as prescribed
      in AR 600-25.

      1. A sentry, on a
        post which does not require
        challenging, carrying a weapon
        at sling arms, will render the
        hand salute upon recognition of
        an officer.

      2. A sentry, on a
        post which does not require
        challenging, carrying a weapon
        at right (left) shoulder arms,
        will, upon recognition of an
        officer, halt and present arms
        as prescribed in the manual of
        arms FM 22-5. When the officer
        returns the salute the guard
        will return to right (left)
        shoulder arms and resume his
        duties.

      3. A sentry armed
        with a pistol, on a post which
        does not require challenging,
        will, upon recognition of an
        officer, render the hand salute.

      4. No salute is
        given by a guard who is engaged
        in a specific duty, the
        performance of which prevents
        saluting.

    8. A guard talking
      with an officer does not
      interrupt the conversation to
      salute another officer; however,
      if the officer salutes a senior,
      the guard also salutes.

    9. The special
      orders will specify the time for
      challenging.

      1. When
        challenging, a guard, armed with
        a rifle, carbine, or shotgun
        will challenge from the position
        of port arms as described in the
        manual of arms in FM 22-5. If
        armed with a pistol the guard
        will challenge from the position
        of raise pistol.

      2. After
        challenging, a guard will remain
        in the challenge position until
        the individual challenged is
        allowed to pass, depart, or is
        turned over the commander of the
        relief.

      3. Sentinels on
        posts requiring challenging will
        not render salutes.
         
        Note. The
        sentinel’s primary mission is to
        guard his post. Requiring
        salutes places the individual in
        a vulnerable position. The
        sentinel will, however, display
        all other military courtesy and
        respect while in conversation
        with an officer.

         

      4. Challenging one
        person or a group:

        1. If a guard sees
          any person on or near his post
          during the time for challenging,
          he positions himself so that he
          can control the situation. If
          possible, he should be out of
          sight when challenging. When the
          person is approximately 30
          steps, or at sufficient distance
          to allow the guard time to
          react, the guard will assume the
          correct challenge position and
          command “HALT!” When the person
          has halted, the guard asks, “WHO
          IS THERE?” The guard may advance
          toward the person while
          challenging to put himself in a
          better position. When the guard
          is in the best position to pass
          or apprehend the person, he
          requires the person to advance
          towards him, remain in position,
          or advance to a particular
          place, face toward the light, or
          to take any position necessary
          to determine whether the person
          should be passed, denied, or
          turned over to the commander of
          the relief.

        2. The guard
          permits only one member of a
          group to approach him for
          identification.

        3. If persons are
          in a vehicle, the guard proceeds
          as if they were on foot. If
          necessary to carry out his
          duties, he may have one or all
          of the passengers dismount.

        4. After halting a
          group and receiving an
          answer indicating that it is
          authorized to pros, the guard
          says, “Advance one to be
          recognized.” After he has
          recognized the one advanced, the
          guard says, “Advance, Sergeant
          Smith,” naming the person (or
          group) allowed to advance. If
          the answer is “Friends,” the
          guard says, “Advance one to be
          recognized.” After recognition
          he says, “Advance, friends.”



        5. The guard
          satisfies himself beyond a
          reasonable doubt that those
          challenged are what they
          represent themselves to be and
          that they have a right to pass.
          If he is not satisfied, he
          detains the person and calls the
          commander of tile relief.
          Normally, the guard will accept
          a reasonable answer for
          identification if the post is
          not a vital area and the persons
          are not suspicious looking.
           
          Note. A
          visual check of an individual’s
          ID card is considered the best
          means of identification when
          doubt exists.

           

      5. Challenging two
        or more persons or groups-

        1. If two or more
          persons or groups approach the
          guard’s post from different
          directions at the same time,
          they are halted in turn and
          remain halted until advanced by
          the guard.

        2. When two or more
          groups are halted at the same
          time, the senior is advanced
          first.

        3. A guard advances
          different persons or groups with
          the following priority:
          commanding officer, field
          officer of the day, officer of
          the day, officers of the guard,
          officers, patrols, reliefs,
          noncommissioned officers of the
          guard in order of rank, and
          friends.

        4. If a person or
          group has been advanced and is
          talking with the guard, the
          guard halts any other person or
          group that may approach, but
          advances no one until the person
          or group with whom he is talking
          leaves. He then advances the
          senior of the remaining group.

        5. A guard must
          always be alert and never be
          surprised. He never permits two
          persons or groups to advance to
          his post at the same time.

        6. Confusing or
          misleading answers to a guard’s
          challenge are not acceptable.
          However, the answer “Friend” is
          not considered misleading and is
          the usual answer of an
          inspecting officer or patrol
          when they do not wish to reveal
          their official capacity.

    10. During his tour
      of duty a guard is required to
      execute orders of no one but the
      commanding officer, field
      officer of the day, officer of
      the day, and officers of the
      guard; however, any officer may
      investigate apparent violations
      of regulations by members of the
      guard. In the event of an
      inspecting officer, or any other
      person in the military service,
      finding an irresponsible guard
      on post (Art. 113, Uniform Code
      of Military Justice), it is his
      duty to notify the commander of
      the guard or a noncommissioned
      officer of the guard and stay on
      the post until a qualified guard
      is posted.

    11. A guard
      surrenders his weapon to, and
      only on order of, a person from
      whom he lawfully receives orders
      while on post. These persons
      should not order a guard to
      surrender his weapon for
      inspection or any other purpose
      unless an emergency exists.


       


  3. I will report
    violations of my special orders,
    emergencies, and anything not
    covered in my instructions, to
    the commander of the relief.



     

    1. A guard reports
      all violations of his special
      orders to the commander of the
      relief. He apprehends the
      offender, if necessary.

    2. A guard reports
      all emergencies that occur on or
      near his post. The guard will
      take whatever action is
      prescribed by his special orders
      or guard instructions. Anytime
      the guard is in doubt as to what
      action to take, or it is not
      covered in his special orders,
      he will call the commander of
      the relief for instructions or
      assistance.

    3. In case of fire,
      occurring on or near his post,
      the guard calls, “Fire, Post
      Number (Two).” He alerts the
      occupants, if it is an occupied
      building. He gives the alarm or
      insures one has been given. If
      possible, he extinguishes the
      fire. He helps direct the fire
      fighting apparatus to the fire.
      He notifies the guardhouse of
      his actions as soon as possible.

    4. A guard reports
      any disorder occurring on or
      near his post. He takes police
      action as prescribed in his
      special orders or guard
      instructions. If assistance is
      required, he calls, “The Guard,
      Post Number (Four).”

    5. If the danger is
      great, he fires his weapon into
      the air three times in rapid
      succession before calling. When
      instructed to do so, guards give
      warnings of air, CBR, and other
      attacks. Guards should receive
      special training if they are to
      act as chemical, biological, and
      radiological (CBR) sentinels
      while on post.


Privacy Policy | About Us | FAQ | Terms of Service | Disclaimers | Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA and NV residents)

Copyright © 2023 EducationDynamics. All Rights Reserved.

This is a private website that is not affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. This site is not connected with any government agency. If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, please visit the official U.S. government web site for veterans’ benefits at http://www.va.gov.

The sponsored schools featured on this site do not include all schools that accept GI Bill® funding or VA Benefits. To contact ArmyStudyGuide, email us.

Disclosure: EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Schools” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

This is an offer for educational opportunities that may lead to employment and not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The financial aid information on this site is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.

VFW $30,000 Scholarship!
Write an essay on the annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is, “Why Is The Veteran Important?”

X