2-1CHAPTER 2MILITARY JUSTICE AND UNIFORM REGULATIONSEver since the beginning of navies, there have been laws peculiarlyapplicable to the sea and seafaring people.—Rear Admiral Albert E. Jarrell, USNEvery state and city in the United States has lawsagainst murder, robbery, and assault. There also are lawsfor safety, traffic safety, fire prevention, and the goodorder of the populace. To discourage lawbreakers,federal, state, and local governments set up penalties thatare proportionate to the crimes committed. The penaltiesrange from fines for minor infractions of the law, tolong-term jail sentences for offenses such as robbery,assault, or manslaughter, to execution for murder.The Navy is no different. We have laws andregulations to govern us in much the same way as thegovernments mentioned above govern civilians. Forexample, we punish crimes of theft, assault, and murderas severely as the civilian community. In addition tothose regulations, the Navy has laws that are peculiaronly to the military establishment.The laws and regulations that govern us in the Navyexist to help, not hinder, us. In any organizationdiscipline and justice are essential. In this chapter, youwill be presented with material about proper militaryconduct, discipline, punishment, justice, and uniformregulations in the United States Navy.PETTY OFFICER’S AUTHORITYLearning Objectives: Recognize the difference betweengeneral authority and organizational authority. Recallnonpunitive measures available to supervisors.Authority is a necessary leadership tool. However,it can never take the place of strong, positive leadership.When you make petty officer third class and later whenyou advance in rate as a petty officer (PO), you oftenwill need to consider your authority and the effect youruse of it will have on the people for whom you areresponsible.Authority ties directly to your duties andresponsibilities. The exercise of authority links to youracceptance of responsibility. You are given authorityonly to support you in carrying out your assigned dutiesand responsibilities. You have "general authority" as apetty officer by virtue of your position in the Navyorganization, and you have "organizational authority" byvirtue of the particular billet you are holding.GENERAL AUTHORITYYour general authority as a PO stems from article1037 of U.S. Navy Regulations (Authority of WarrantOfficers, Non-Commissioned Officers and PettyOfficers). Article 1020 (Exercise of Authority) gives youthe right to exercise authority over all personssubordinate to you. Article 1132 (Compliance withLawful Orders) charges subordinates to obey theirsuperiors.ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITYPetty officers derive their organizational authorityfrom their assigned billets within a particular command.This command organizational structure comes fromStandard Organization and Regulations of the U.S.Navy. That Navy instruction provides regulations andguidance governing the conduct of all members of theNavy. It also specifies the individual duties andresponsibilities of personnel within a unit organizationfrom the commanding officer down to the messenger ofthe watch. Articles 1020 and 1037 of U.S. NavyRegulationsgrant officers, warrant officers, and pettyofficers the authority needed to perform their duties.Authority includes the right to require action ofothers. We direct the actions of others by oral or writtenorders that are subject to general limitations. Ordersmust be lawful since subordinates are required to obeylawful orders only (article 1132, U.S. Navy
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business