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Guard Duty

Categories: OFFICERS' RESERVE CORPS
Military Handbooks: The Plattsburg Manual

Guards are used in camp or garrison to preserve order, to protect

property, and to enforce police regulations. The commander of the guard

is an officer or non-commissioned officer. He performs his duties under

the supervision of the officer of the day. A sentinel is on post two

hours out of every six. And a tour of guard duty is twenty-four hours.

As guard duty is of such utmost importance, and laxity, or failure to

pe
form it properly, is very severely punished, the duties of all

connected with it are clearly prescribed in the Guard Manual.



Orders for sentinels are divided into two classes, general and special.

Each should be memorized. Special orders relate to particular posts and

duties. General orders apply to all sentinels and are as follows:



(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 guard house

than my own.



(5) To quit my post only when properly relieved.



(6) To receive, obey, and pass on to the sentinel who relieves me all

orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and

noncommissioned officers of the guard only.



(7) To talk to no one except in line of duty.



(8) In case of fire or disorder to give the alarm.



(9) To allow no one to commit a nuisance on or near my post.



(10) In any case not covered by instructions to call the corporal of

the guard.



(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. (Guard Manual.)



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