STUDENT HANDOUT (JUL 2004)

OUTLINE

1. DUTIES OF THE INTERIOR GUARD

a. The interior guard is established by the Commanding Officer to provide internal security for his/her unit. The area that is being guarded is known as a post.

b. Purpose of the interior guard: (keyword POPPER)

• Preserve Order—you are responsible for preventing any disturbances on your post.

• Protect property—all property, particularly any government property, must be accounted for at all times.

• Enforce regulations—any and all regulations such as general orders, MCO’s, Base Orders, policies, etc. are to be adhered to by all personnel at all times.

2. REPORTING A POST

a. Purpose: A sentry would report his post for the purpose of notifying senior members of his chain of command, on the present situation and conditions on his post. The sentry would report any unusual circumstances that had taken place during his tour of duty.

b. Procedures: There are certain steps to be followed to report your post.       

• It is customary as well as a courtesy extended to officers to salute when they approach you. If armed with an M16A2 service rifle, the only way a salute will be administered is present arms. In the most direct manner bring the weapon to present arms, give a verbal greeting and once you have been acknowledged, bring the weapon to port arms.

• If the individual approaching your post is a senior member of you chain of post command, you will report your post in the following manner: “Private ________ reports Post # ______ all secure, there is nothing unusual to report at this time.”

• Once again, if it is an officer, who approached your post, you would salute him as he leaves your post.

3. POSTING AND RELIEF OF GUARD PERSONNEL

a. There must be an organized method for posting and relieving the guard to ensure that all orders are verbally exchanged and understood, as well as sentries posted in a timely manner. The two methods utilized to post and relieve the guard are formal and informal.

b. Formal posting and relief

• Formal posting and relief is ceremonial in nature and requires close supervision.

• The following procedure will be followed in a formal relief of sentries. When the relief has arrived and halted at the point at a sentries post designated for relief. The new sentry approaches the old and halts about three steps in front of and facing him/her. If armed with rifles, both sentries then execute port arms. The Corporal of the Guard places him/herself to one side of the sentries, faces between them and commands, “PASS ON YOUR ORDERS.” The old sentry passes any changes of orders, information, or instructions received during his/her watch, or states “POST AND ORDERS REMAIN THE SAME.” The Corporal of the Guard then asks the new sentry, “DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ORDERS?” If the new sentry understands his/her orders he replies affirmative, if not the Corporal of the Guard clarifies the orders and then commands “POST.”

c. Informal posting and relief:

• Informal posting and relief does not require close supervision.

• When an informal relief is prescribed, the sentry relieving comes to the sentry to be relieved on the post in person and asks, “ARE YOU READY TO BE RELIEVED?” When the sentry to be relieved is ready, he tells the sentry relieving him/her all pertinent special orders, instructions, and information. As soon as the sentry relieving understands this material, he/she says, “I RELIVE YOU,” and assumes his duties. The sentry relieved retires and reports directly to the Corporal of the Guard to report the accomplishments of the relief.

4. CHALLENGING PROCEDURES

A challenging post is one where access to the limits of your post is controlled, or any post during the hours of darkness. The key words are “during the time for challenging.” All posts are not challenging posts. You should only challenge when the post has been designated as a challenging post. The following procedures for challenging should always be followed:

a. The following steps will be used to challenge a single person during the hours of challenging:

Step 1: Take up a covered and/or concealed position that is the most advantageous to identify, detain, or apprehend the person, and give the command “HALT, WHO IS (OR GOES) THERE?” while the person is at a distance far enough away to allow you to take effective measure, should the person rush you after being challenged.

Step 2: The person should immediately halt, and reply with their name or title (e.g., Sgt. Jones or Officer of the day, etc.).

Your primary objective in challenging is establishing the identity of the person attempting to enter your post.

Step 3: If you recognize the person and establish his/her need to enter your post, give the command, “RECOGNIZED,” and allow the person to pass. If it’s an officer, present arms and give the proper greeting.

If the person is not immediately identifies, give the command “NOT RECOGNIZED” and advance the person to a point where they could be recognized.

To do this, tell the person, “ADVANCE TO BE RECOGNIZED.” Don’t allow the person to move too close to you. Keep them at a point where you can still control the situation, and then give the command “HALT” again.

If you now have recognized the person and established their need to be on your post, give the command “RECOGNIZED.” If they’re not recognized, order him/her to place their identification card only—not the wallet—on the deck and take 10 paces backwards.

When the person has moved a sufficient distance backwards, give the command “HALT.”

Move forward, examine the ID, and attempt to identify the person by their picture. If darkness precludes seeing the face, ask pertinent questions from the ID card (date of birth, SSN, color of eyes, etc.)

Step 4: If you are certain the individual is who they claim to be, and they have a need to be on your post, give the command “RECOGNIZED,” and allow the person to pass if the person is a commissioned officer, present arms. If the person is the officer of the day, the sentry will present arms and give the report. If the person being challenged is not recognized, nor can provide appropriate identification, it is the responsibility of the sentry to detain the individual and call the Corporal of the Guard.

b. The following steps will be used to challenge a group of persons during the hours of challenging:

Step 1: In the same manner used for individuals, take a proper position, and give the command, “HALT, WHO GOES THERE?” while the group is still far enough away for the sentry to take effective measures, should the group rush him after being challenged.

Step 2: Challenge the entire group and permit only one person to move forward at a time by giving the following command, “SENIOR PERSON, ADVANCE TO BE RECOGNIZED.”

The procedures used for identifying a single person will be used for the senior member of the group.

Step 3: After properly identifying the first person, direct them to bring up the rest of the group and to identify each individual as they pass.

5. COMPOSITION OF THE GUARD

The interior guard may be composed of a main guard, special guards, relief, and a reserve.

a. Main Guard: Generally the main guard consists of a number of sentries on post, supervisory, administrative personnel, and a reserve. The main guard is commanded by the Commander of the Guard, who is assisted by the Sergeant of the Guard. The sentries are normally organized into three relief’s, with each relief directly supervised by a Corporal of the Guard.

• All members of the guard will memorize, understand, and comply with the general orders for sentries. In addition, they will understand and comply with special orders applying to their particular post and regulations relating to general orders.

• Members of the guard not on post will remain in the immediate vicinity of the guardhouse, except when permission to leave the guardhouse is granted by the Commander of the Guard. Permission to leave will be granted only when necessary.

b. Special Guards: Special guards are detailed when it is impractical to use sentries from the main guard. They are used for a limited time and for special occasions. A good example of this is if you were a guard on an airbase and a special plane came in that the Commanding Officer thought should be guarded. Sentries would be placed on the plane until it took off, and then that guard post would be terminated.

c. Relief’s: As stated before, the main guard is usually made up of three reliefs’. Each relief stands an eight hour tour of duty. Each relief will usually have enough guards so that each guard’s tour of duty will last no more than four hours. Typically, a guard will walk post for only four of the eight hour that his relief is on duty.

d. Reserve: The reserve of the Main Guard can be made up of any number of individuals depending upon the mission that the guard is fulfilling. Normally, each relief will have a small number of extra individuals who will form a reserve. Usually the next relief will make up the reserve and they will remain in the immediate vicinity of the guardhouse in the event of an emergency or a special detail.

6. BILLETS AND CHAIN OF COMMAND OF THE INTERIOR GUARD

a. COMMANDING OFFICER

• The Commanding Officer (CO) is ultimately responsible for the security of his command. This responsibility is absolute and cannot be delegated to another individual. The commanding officer is the person who establishes the interior guard of your unit.

b. OFFICER OF THE DAY

• An Officer of the Day (OOD) is appointed by the commander each day and is responsible for supervising the main guard. He is responsible for executing all orders from the Commanding Officer. He is the Commanding Officer’s personal representative during his tour of duty. He will inspect the guard as often as he feels necessary. When appropriate, he directs inspections of the guard by other officers and non-commissioned officers of the guard.

• In the performance of his duties, he takes orders only from the Commanding Officer. During an emergency, the senior officer present may issue orders to the Officer of the Day for employment of the guard.

• He keeps the Commander of the Guard of Sergeant of the Guard, in the event there is no Commander of the Guard, informed of his whereabouts at all times.

• When formal reliefs are prescribed, he effects the relief of the Commander of the Guard of the Sergeant of the Guard before his own relief.

c. COMMANDER OF THE GUARD

(1)   He obeys the orders of the Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, and in the event of   emergencies, the senior officer present.

(2)       He is assisted by the Sergeant of the Guard in the execution of his duties.

(3)      The Commander of the Guard ensures proper instruction, discipline, and performance of the main guard.

(4)      He ensures that all members of the guard are correctly instructed in their duties and orders, and that they understand as well as properly perform them. He questions the noncommissioned officers of the guard and sentries about instructions they may have received from the old relief.

(5)      He keeps the Sergeant of the Guard informed of his whereabouts at all times.

(6)      When an alarm is sounded, he expeditiously forms the reserve. If the situation is serious, he notifies the Officer of the Day immediately.

(7)      He ensures that Reveille and Taps are sounded at the prescribed times.

(8)      He is responsible for detailing men to raise and lower the National Flag at morning and evening colors. He ensures that the National Ensign is kept in good condition and report to the Officer of the Day when the flag is no longer serviceable.

(9)      He ensures that the reliefs are posted on schedule.

(10)      He informs the Officer of the Day, immediately, of any dangerous, suspicious, or unusual occurrence.

(11)When formal relief is prescribed, he effects the reliefs of the Sergeant of the Guard before being relieved.

d. SERGEANT OF THE GUARD

(1) The Sergeant of the Guard assists the Commander of the Guard in ensuring proper instruction, discipline, and performance of duty of the main guard. He performs the duties of the Commander of the Guard, if no Commander of the Guard has been assigned.

(2)  He obeys the orders of the Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, Commander of the Guard, and the senior officers present during an emergency.

(3)  He ensures that the guard property is properly cared and accounted for. In addition he ensures that the guardhouse and grounds are policed.

(4)  He assigns members of the guard to reliefs.

(5)  He ensures that all reliefs are turned out for posting at the proper time. Posting is simply taking charge of a certain area by a sentry.

(6)  He ensures that the Corporals of the Guard understand their duties thoroughly, and carry them out promptly and efficiently.

(7)  He inspects the guard when directed by the Officer of the Day, but must inspect each relief at least once during each relief’s tour of duty.

(8)  When he is absent from the guardhouse, he directs the Corporal of the Guard of the relief on post to perform his guardhouse duties until his return. He keeps the Corporal of the Guard informed of his whereabouts at all times.

(9)  He notifies the Commander of the Guard immediately of any dangerous, suspicious, or unusual occurrences.

(10)He forms the guard when necessary.

(11)When a formal relief is prescribed, he effects the relief of the Corporal of the Guard.

e. CORPORAL OF THE GUARD

(1)  He obeys orders from the Commanding Officer, Officer of the Day, Commander of the Guard, Sergeant of the Guard, and in the event of emergencies, the senior officer present.

(2)  He assigns sentries on his relief to their post. He prepares in duplicate, a list showing the number of relief, each members’ name, rank, and assigned post. He keeps on copy and gives the other to the Sergeant of the Guard.

(3)  The Corporal of the Guard supervises the members of the guard assigned to his relief. He performs the guardhouse duties of the Sergeant of the Guard when he is absent from the guardhouse.

(4)  He must understand the special orders of every sentry on his relief, and he must instruct each member concerning his orders and duties. He must also form his relief allowing sufficient time to issue guard property, inspect appearance, and ensure fitness for duty. He must also check the conditions of arms, issue ammunition, guard property, and supervise loading of weapons.

(5)  The post of the Corporal of the Guard is normally in the guardhouse near the entrance. When required to depart his post in the performance of duties, he notifies the Sergeant of the Guard, who will assume his duties or designates another member of the guard to do so.

(6)  He will go immediately, or send a patrol, to any post (sentry) who calls for the Corporal of the Guard.

(7)  He forms his own relief promptly for posting or when the guard is turned out. If his relief is on post when the guard is turned out, he and his relief remain on post. He ensures that sleeping arrangements for his relief are such that he can easily locate all members of his relief and turn them out quickly without confusion.

(8)  He awakens the Corporal of the Guard of the next relief in sufficient time to wake his relief and post it at the proper time.

(9)  He notifies the Sergeant of the Guard immediately of any dangerous, suspicious, or unusual occurrences.

f. SUPERNUMERARIES

(1)  Supernumeraries will memorize, understand, and comply with all general orders and all special orders for all posts on which they might be posted.

(2)  A supernumerary is an extra member of the guard who is used to replace guards who may become sick or injured. He also can perform any special duties his superiors may assign.

7. DEADLY FORCE

a. Deadly Force is defined as, the efforts an individual uses against another to cause death, substantial risk of death, or serious bodily harm.

b. A sentry is justified in using the weapon in which he is armed to apply deadly force only under conditions of absolute necessity and only then “AS A LAST RESORT” when all other means have failed or cannot be employed, under the following conditions:

(1)  In self-defense. When it appears reasonably necessary to use deadly force to protect military law enforcement or security personnel who reasonably believe themselves to be in imminent danger of death or seriously bodily harm.

(2)  To prevent or interrupt serious offenses against persons. When it appears reasonably necessary to use deadly force to prevent or to interrupt the commission of a serious offense observed by the sentry which threatens death or serious bodily harm to other persons. Such offenses include, but are not limited to murder, rape, or armed robbery.

(3)  In defense of property involving national security. When it appears reasonably necessary, deadly force may be used:

(a)  To prevent the THREATENED theft of, damage to, or espionage aimed at property or information specifically designated by the commanding officer or other competent authority as vital to the national security.

(b)  To prevent the ACTUAL theft of, damage to, or espionage aimed at property or information which, though not vital to the national security, is of substantial importance to national security.

(4)  In defense of property not involving national security but inherently dangerous to others. When it appears reasonably necessary to use deadly force to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of property, such as operable weapons or ammunition, which is dangerous to others.

(5)  To either apprehend or to prevent the escape of an individual. When it appears necessary to use deadly force

(a)  To apprehend of to prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed an offense of the nature specified in Performance Step 2 above, or the offense is personally observed by the sentry.

(b)  To apprehend or to prevent the escape of an individual whose unauthorized presence in the vicinity of property or information specifically designated by the commanding officer, or other competent authority as vital to national security. When a person reasonably appears to present a threat of theft, damage, or espionage.

(c)  When specifically authorized by competent authority and reasonably appears to prevent the escape of a designated person.

(6)  To establish and/or to maintain lawful order. When the application of deadly force has been directed by the lawful order of a superior authority.

8. PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING DEADLY FORCE

a. Remember you are responsible for all your actions, so if deadly force is to be used, follow these rules to help protect yourself:

            (1)  Give a verbal warning.

            (2)  Use the least amount of force necessary.

            (3)  If shots are fired, first attempt to disable the subject.

b. Marines never fire warning shots; if you are required to fire your weapon, “shoot to disable” or “shoot to kill” depending on your unique guard requirement.

REFERENCE

1. Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual                                 MCO P5060.20_

2. U.S. Marine Corps Interior Guard Manual                                    NAVMC 2691A