Eleven General Orders of a Sentry

Although these were the ones we used when I was in the Navy, these are pretty much standard across all the U.S. armed forces. It is pretty standard practice to have recruits in boot camp memorize these. These are more or less the minimal expectations of a service person who is "on duty."

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
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.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the officer of the deck in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers, and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night, and during the time of challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

The following slight variations for the Marine Corps seem to stem from the difference in guard chain of command:

6. To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, and Officers and Noncomissioned Officers of the Guard only.

9. To call the Corporal of the Guard in any case not covered by instructions.

In addition, I learned these unofficial General Orders from other bored Marines on post:

12. To walk my post from flank to flank and to take no shit from any rank.

13. To walk my post, 'round and 'round, fuck this shit, I'm sitting down.