11 General Orders
General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
General Order 2
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
General Order 3
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
General Order 5
To quit my post only when properly relieved.
General Order 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 noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
General Order 10
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
General Order 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.
As a Marine whom has now entered into his 8th decade of life, I find my memory of certain things slipping. After reading the 11 General Orders, I am amazed at being a 17 year old “boot” being able to rattle them off under the extreme pressure of a snarling “Bull Dog” in my face. As I started reading them, each one came vividly back to me. Nice to know I’m not quite brain dead Yet.
Remember the 12th un General Order
To walk my post from flank to flank and take no Cr%$p from any rank Sir
It seems as if there was one more general order: To make damn sure I know all the other general orders, Sir.