The General Orders for Sentries are quite similar between the Navy and Marine Corps, the main differences being the titles of positions referenced in the orders.
The General Orders for Navy and Marines are as follows:
- To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
- To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
- To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
- To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse (or the Quarterdeck) than my own.
- To quit my post only when properly relieved.
- 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 Non-Commissioned Officers of the guard only.
- To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
- To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
- To call the Corporal of the Guard/Petty Officer of the Watch in any case not covered by instructions.
- To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
- 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.
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 Day, Officer of the Deck, and all 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:
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6 is similar, however there is a difference in the officers.
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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 all Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch.
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9. To call the Petty Officer of the watch in any case not covered by instructions.
The United States Army now uses a condensed form of orders, with three basic instructions: Before ca 1970 it used the same Eleven General Orders as the Marines:
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I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.
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I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.
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I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of the relief.
The Air Force Security Forces also uses a condensed form, with three basic instructions:
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I will take charge of my post and protect all personnel and property for which I am responsible until properly relieved.
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I will report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce and contact my immediate supervisor in any case not covered by instructions.
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I will sound the alarm in any case of disorder or emergency.