CHAPTER 2
MILITARY CONDUCT AND JUSTICE
Because the United States Navy is a military service
and since you are a member of the U.S. Navy, you are
expected to be military in the best sense of the term. You
are expected to know the traditions of the Navy, its
customs, and its language. You should understand the
organization and mission of the Navy and the “why”
behind the Navy’s discipline and its drills. In the front of
this manual is the Navy Creed; if you haven’t read it,
read it now. You will see the importance of your
responsibilities and duties to your Country and to the
Navy.
In this chapter, you will learn about military
conduct, which includes the conduct expected of you if
you should become a prisoner of war. You will also learn
about the military police, the purpose of discipline and
punishment, and the three sources that set forth the basic
disciplinary laws for the U.S. Navy. Those sources are
U.S. Navy Regulations, Standard Organization and
Regulations of the U.S. Navy, and the Uniform Code of
Military Justice (UCMJ).
PERSONAL CONDUCT
Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you
will be able to—
Identify the personal characteristics of a good
Sailor.
Every Sailor in the Navy should set an example of
high personal and military ideals. Every Sailor should
always set a good example for other, perhaps younger,
nonrated personnel. Remember, a good Sailor always
does the following:
Acts in a military and seamanlike manner.
Puts the good of the ship and the Navy before
personal likes and dislikes.
Obeys the rules of military courtesy and etiquette
as well as the rules of military law.
Demonstrates loyalty, self-control, honesty, and
truthfulness.
Knows what to do in an emergency and how to do
it with the least waste of time and with minimum
confusion
As a Sailor, you represent the Navy. People form
their opinions of the Navy based on your appearance
and actions. Always wear your uniform with pride.
Conduct yourself in a manner that will reflect credit on
you and the Navy. In effect, you conduct the business of
public relations for the Navy. The way in which you sell
the Navy to civilians and the way you sell yourself to
your superiors and shipmates determines their opinion
of you and of the Navy.
A good Sailor is morally responsible. That means
you know what’s right and what’s wrong, and you try to
do what is right. As a morally responsible person, you
perform all assigned duties as correctly and timely as
humanly possible without worrying about personal gain
or inconveniences.
To succeed in any line of work, you must be devoted
to duty and be able to take orders. Shipboard life is so
exacting that a team of members must do many tasks;
one person alone cannot do them. In battle or in solving
a battle problem, all personnel must work as a team; and
it doesn’t make any difference whether the team
consists of a few or many members.
The Navy isn’t the place for the immature
self-seeker who puts forth his/her best efforts only when
some personal advantage is to be gained. Also, the Navy
doesn’t have room for the resentful, hardheaded,
self-important person who can’t take an order. Rules
and regulations serve as guides for daily living and, if
followed by all, make life more pleasant and easier for
all hands.
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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for
which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
