Good order and discipline are important in any organization. But because mission accomplishment and human lives may be at stake in the military, and because American military organizations bring men and women together from all parts of the nation, often with different ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds, special standards of personal conduct are needed. These requirements take on additional importance because military service often entails performing your duties under difficult conditions, creating special challenges not always encountered in civilian walks of life.
First exposure to those standards of conduct begins at Boot Camp, and maintaining them continues throughout your military service. Salutes, special ceremonies, and the carrying out of orders, for example, are part of the military culture and are done without further explanation or instruction. These basics are aided by a number of additional written standards, some of which are unique to the Navy—such as “The Sailor’s Creed” (see TAB 1-A: The Sailor’s Creed), with its core values of honor, courage, and commitment—while others, like the Code of Conduct and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, apply to all the armed forces of the United States. Additional directives provide still more guidance to ensure that personal relations are maintained at levels compatible with military service. For your well-being and that of others, it is vital that you know what is expected of you in terms of personal conduct and that you not fail to meet those standards.
THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT
The United States follows public international law regulating conduct during armed hostilities known as “The Law of Armed Conflict,” which is based on the concept that all people are entitled to basic human rights during times of war. These principles strike a balance between humanity and military necessity and are not a matter of choice. As a member of the U.S. armed forces, you must adhere to these principles at all times.
To ensure that hostilities are directed at enemy combatants and that unnecessary human misery and physical destruction is avoided, American military personnel must:
fight only enemy combatants and safeguard noncombatants whenever possible
destroy no more than the mission requires
treat civilians humanely and respect their property as much as possible
care for the sick and wounded, whether they are friendlies, neutrals, or enemies
allow hostiles to surrender if they are attempting to do so
treat prisoners of war and detainees fairly
protect and respect chaplains as noncombatants
protect and respect medical personnel and facilities
prevent violations of these rules whenever possible
report violations of these rules
CODE OF CONDUCT
Navy Regulations require you to be thoroughly familiar with the Code of Conduct for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, more commonly referred to as simply the “Code of Conduct.” The Code of Conduct will always be posted in an accessible place in every command, so you should have no problem reviewing it from time to time. The six articles of this code make it clear what is expected of you if you are in a combat situation and if you are unfortunate enough to become a prisoner of war (POW).
The articles of the code can be found in TAB 4-A: Code of Conduct for Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, and each is explained here. Read the Code carefully and think about what it says. Its importance cannot be overestimated.
ARTICLE I |
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. |
As a member of the armed forces it is always your duty to oppose the enemies of the United States. This applies whether you are in active combat or confined as a prisoner of war.
Your responsibility is to guard “our way of life” and to be prepared to sacrifice your life if that is what it takes to accomplish this mission. You need only watch the evening news to know that there are problems in America, that this is not a perfect nation. But anyone who has traveled the world, as you may well do before your time in the Navy is over, will surely tell you that the United States of America is the greatest of all nations. And anyone who pays close attention to the evening news will also note that despite the many problems, there is a never-ending struggle to find solutions. This nation was born and continues to survive because Americans have always jealously guarded their freedom and have been willing to sacrifice themselves rather than yield their hard-won rights. You must do no less.
ARTICLE II |
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist. |
You must not surrender unless you have no other choice except senseless death. As long as you have the ability to resist being captured, either by engaging the enemy in combat or by evading, you must do so. If your continued resistance would result in your death and it would serve some useful purpose to the mission (such as delaying the enemy from taking an important position or providing additional time for others to escape), then you should not surrender. But if your continued resistance would result in your death and have no effect on the outcome of the mission, then surrender is acceptable.
This responsibility extends to anyone in command as well. The commander must not surrender the people in her or his command unless they can no longer fight or avoid capture and the only other choice is for them to die for no useful purpose.
ARTICLE III |
If I am captured I will continue to resist, by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. |
The duty of a member of the armed forces to continue resistance by all means available is not lessened by the misfortune of capture. You should escape by any means possible and help others to escape. However, experience has proven that there may be times when escape is virtually impossible and that attempting to escape will only bring certain death to the escapee and possibly to his or her fellow POWs. In these circumstances, you should not attempt escape. For example, in Vietnam after several Americans tried unsuccessfully to escape from their prison in downtown Hanoi, it became apparent that the escapees were much too conspicuous in a city of hostile citizens and that escapees would have too far to go with no hope of local support in order to get to friendly forces. It was determined that escape was not a reasonable risk.
Parole agreements are promises given the captor by a POW to fulfill stated conditions (such as not to bear arms or not to escape) in consideration of special privileges (such as release from captivity or better living conditions). You must never sign or enter into any parole agreement without the consent of someone senior to you.
ARTICLE IV |
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any actions which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way. |
Providing information to the enemy, or any other action that harms a fellow prisoner, is shameful. Prisoners of war must not help the enemy identify fellow prisoners who may have knowledge of value to the enemy and who may therefore be interrogated and/or tortured.
Strong leadership is essential to discipline, and being in a POW situation does not lessen this. Without discipline, camp organization, resistance, and even survival may be impossible. Personal hygiene, camp sanitation, and care of the sick and wounded are imperative, and it is up to the leaders to ensure these things are accomplished to the best of everyone’s ability.
Officers and petty officers (known as noncommissioned officers in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps) will continue to carry out their responsibilities and exercise their authority after capture. The senior line officer, petty officer, or noncommissioned officer within the POW camp or group will assume command according to rank or precedence, without regard to branch of service. Responsibility and accountability may not be evaded. If the senior officer or noncommissioned officer is incapacitated or unable to act for any reason, the next senior takes over.
ARTICLE V |
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. |
United States Navy Regulations explains that the United States has agreed to abide by an international agreement entitled the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, known more commonly as simply the “Geneva Convention,” and as a member of the U.S. armed forces, you are subject to the requirements and protections of this agreement.
In accordance with the Geneva Convention, a POW is required to reveal her or his name, rank, service (social security) number, and date of birth. A POW may tell the enemy about his or her individual health or welfare and, when appropriate, about routine matters of camp administration, but the following are forbidden:
Oral or written confessions, whether true or false
Filling out questionnaires
Providing personal-history statements
Making propaganda recordings and broadcasts
Signing peace or surrender appeals, criticisms, or any other oral or written communication on behalf of the enemy, or that is critical or harmful to the United States, its allies, its armed forces, or other prisoners
It is a violation of the Geneva Convention for captors to subject a POW to physical or mental torture or any other form of coercion to secure information of any kind. If, however, a prisoner is subjected to such treatment, he or she must strive to avoid by every means the disclosure of any information, or the making of any statement or the performance of any action, harmful to the interests of the United States or its allies, or that will provide aid or comfort to the enemy.
ARTICLE VI |
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America. |
Should you become a prisoner, never give up hope and always resist enemy indoctrination. This will, of course, serve the best interests of the nation, but it will serve your best interests as well. The life of a POW is hard. If all nations lived up to the terms of the Geneva Convention as it is intended, a POW experience would be difficult enough, but Americans who have been captured by the enemy have, more often than not, been subjected to terrible living conditions and have often been tortured. Experience has proven that POWs who stand firm and united against the enemy help one another survive this ordeal.
After POWs are released, their conduct may be examined and evaluated. For this reason alone, you should strive to uphold the Code of Conduct while a POW. But, even more important, you will have to live with yourself after your release, and experience has proven that those POWs who upheld the Code of Conduct to the best of their ability are much better prepared to lead a normal life after their POW ordeal is over. Those who failed to uphold the Code to the best of their ability must live with the shame and dishonor of knowing that they failed their nation and their fellow POWs.
Hope that you never become a prisoner of war. Do everything in your power, consistent with honor, to avoid becoming a POW. But if you are captured, remember the Code of Conduct and uphold it. Your chances of survival will be enhanced, and your personal sense of honor will be undamaged.
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE (UCMJ)
As a civilian, you were subject to the criminal laws of local, state, and federal governments. To a large extent you still are. But by enlisting you have submitted yourself to the jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as well. The basic criminal laws of the Navy are stated in the UCMJ. It is a “uniform” code of law because Congress made it apply equally to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, no matter what a person’s pay grade is. It is under this code that the various services bring criminal charges against personnel who violate military law. You have the right to see a copy of the UCMJ at any time, and it is always posted in an accessible place on every ship and station in the armed forces.
Absence Offenses
Many of the offenses that are covered in the UCMJ require no special explanation. Theft is theft and arson is arson, no matter what system of justice you answer to. But several articles deal with absence offenses, and they require some additional explanation and emphasis. Articles 85, 86, and 87 of the UCMJ deal with desertion, unauthorized absence (often referred to as simply “UA” or AWOL for absent without leave), and missing movement, respectively.
In civilian life, your presence at your job is very important, and in the case of some occupations such as doctor or fireman it can mean the difference between life and death. In the military, since defending the nation is your foremost reason for being, the potential for a life-or-death situation is always there. Whether you are the loader on a gun, the person who inspects parachutes, or the cook who prepares meals for the crew, you are an important part of a team that depends upon every member to function properly. Any mission, whether it is one involving combat, rescue, or routine operations, will be adversely affected if one or more of the team is not there to do his or her job. Because of this, unauthorized absence is considered a very serious breach of discipline and is subject to severe penalties.
Because of the punishment you may receive and because of your responsibility to the Navy and to your shipmates who are counting on you, you must make every effort to avoid being absent without proper authorization. This requires sensible planning on your part. Always leave extra time in your travel plans, whether you are facing a twenty-minute drive or a fourteen-hour flight. If, for reasons beyond your control, you are going to be late in returning, notify your duty station immediately. If you cannot get in touch with your duty station (for example, if you are attached to a ship and she got under way without you), contact the nearest naval activity or the American Red Cross. Don’t use the mail, use the telephone. Furnish enough information so that your commanding officer can understand the situation and provide appropriate instructions. You can always reach the duty officer of any station or a shore patrol headquarters on any Navy base. In most cities, naval activities are listed in the telephone directory under “U.S. Government”; otherwise the information operator can give you the number. Also, even if you are in a region where there are no naval bases or installations, keep in mind that the Navy has recruiting offices in nearly every major U.S. city. The officer or petty officer on duty there can advise you of the best course to follow. If you are sick or in jail, a family member, a friend, the hospital, or the shore patrol can send a message for you. The bottom line is that there may be a valid excuse for your being late—such as sickness, accident, or other emergency—but there is never an excuse for not notifying your commanding officer, the nearest naval activity, or the American Red Cross.
Trials and Punishments
You have probably heard of the military term “court-martial,” and you would be correct if you understood it to be roughly equivalent to a trial in civilian life. But be aware that some of the terminology and many of the procedures are different. There is also “nonjudicial punishment” that is unique to the military and is used for less serious offenses.
NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT (NJP)
This is basically a hearing in which the commanding officer (CO) handles a relatively minor offense rather than sending it to a court. While it is not a “trial” in the civil justice sense, it is held with formality and is not a pleasant experience for anyone involved. There is no right to an attorney at NJP; rather, the offender appears without representation and the CO relies on inputs from the offender’s division chief and division officer. Because these proceedings are nonjudicial, the offender may be punished but will not have a criminal record. In the Navy, NJP is usually referred to as “captain’s mast.”
On hearing the evidence, both for and against, the CO determines whether the accused is guilty or not and then, if necessary, assigns an appropriate punishment. Some of the punishments that a CO may award are restriction to the ship, extra duties, reduction in pay grade, correctional custody, and forfeiture of a portion of your pay.
The accused has certain rights during a captain’s mast:
To be present before the officer conducting the mast
To be advised of the charges
Not to be compelled to make any statement—the right to remain silent
To be present during testimony of witnesses or the receipt of written statements
To question witnesses or to have questions posed to witnesses
To have available for inspection all physical and documentary evidence
To present evidence on one’s own behalf
To be accompanied by a personal representative who may or may not be a lawyer and whose presence is arranged for by the accused
To appeal the imposition of punishment to higher authority
If assigned to a shore activity, to refuse captain’s mast and demand trial by court-martial instead
OTHER “MASTS”
To avoid confusion, you should also be aware that there are other forms of “mast” in the Navy that have nothing to do with the UCMJ. Besides the captain’s mast, you might find yourself involved in a “meritorious mast,” which is used to present awards or commendations for achievement, or if you asked to see the CO for an important reason, this would be called a “request mast.”
COURTS-MARTIAL
If an alleged offense is too severe to dispose of by captain’s mast, or if the accused exercises his or her right to refuse NJP, the case will go to court-martial. There are three types of courts-martial: summary, special, and general.
Summary Court-Martial. If the offense is minor, and if nonjudicial action has been ruled out, the CO may refer the charges to trial by summary court-martial. This involves a summary or shortened procedure where actions are judicial in nature. One officer serves as the judge, jury, prosecution, and defense counsel. The officer takes evidence on the charges and makes judgment according to judicial standards. The accused has the right to consult with an attorney but does not have the right to be represented by an attorney during the proceedings. The accused may also refuse trial by summary court-martial and receive a special court-martial instead.
If an accused is convicted by summary court-martial, the court may impose punishments similar to, but generally tougher than, those imposed at NJP. A guilty finding at summary court-martial does not result in a federal criminal conviction but will be included in the member’s service record.
Special Court-Martial. If a commanding officer feels that an alleged offense against a service person is moderate to severe, or if the accused has refused trial by summary court-martial, the CO may refer the charges to trial by special court-martial. A legally trained military judge oversees the trial and a minimum of a three-member jury decides guilt.
If you are brought before a special court-martial, you may waive the right to trial before the court-martial jury and face the military judge alone. If you decide to go with the jury, you may also request that there be one-third enlisted representation on the jury. You may have a military attorney assigned to you, you may request a specific military counsel, or you may hire your own civilian attorney at your own expense. Possible punishments include the possibility of a bad-conduct discharge and up to twelve months’ imprisonment.
General Court-Martial. The general court-martial is reserved for more serious charges, such as common-law felonies (murder, rape, robbery, and arson) and more serious military charges, such as lengthy unauthorized absence and desertion. The court is composed of a military judge, five or more members who serve as the jury, and military defense and prosecution attorneys. The accused in a general court-martial may request trial before a military judge alone, but if he or she is enlisted and elects to be tried by the full court-martial, at least one-third of the court members must be enlisted persons.
This is by far the most serious of all military courts. Its sentencing power extends to the death penalty and life imprisonment. The Manual for Courts-Martial lists the maximum sentence that may be imposed for each offense by a court-martial under the UCMJ.
JOINT JURISDICTION
Although there are certain reservations, service personnel are also subject to civilian trial and punishment. Service personnel are not answerable to civil authorities for violations of a strictly military nature, such as unauthorized absence, desertion, or misbehavior before the enemy. These offenses are subject to trial by military authorities only. Service personnel, however, may be subjected to joint jurisdiction (both civil and military) for offenses such as murder, robbery, rape, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Under these circumstances, you could be tried twice for the same offense. This applies only in the case of state or local jurisdictions because they are considered separate from the federal government. A court-martial is included under federal jurisdiction, which means that the legal principle of “double jeopardy” prevents you from being tried by the federal government and a court-martial for the same offense.
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
Military law is a complex subject covered by thousands of books. The finer points of military law are not understood by most nonlegal personnel. But Navy lawyers are at your disposal, should the need arise, and will advise you at no cost on matters of military justice.
ENFORCEMENT
Although it is hoped that your personal conduct will be above reproach, there are enforcement mechanisms that can be employed when necessary. Besides those in your chain of command who are tasked with enforcing discipline, there are also specialized personnel who have disciplinary authority and responsibilities. Just as you would obey police officers in your neighborhood back home, so you should obey these naval personnel who have been charged with maintaining good order and discipline.
Shore Patrol and Other Armed Forces Police
The shore patrol (SP) is the military police force of the Navy. Personnel assigned shore-patrol duties can be officers and/or petty officers, and it is their duty to function much as any police force in civilian life does, providing assistance and maintaining order among naval personnel off ship or station. They are identified by brassards (armbands) with the letters SP.
The other services have police as well, called military police (MPs) in the Army and Marine Corps and air police (APs) in the Air Force. In some areas, a combined or unified armed-forces police detachment (AFPD) is organized, with military police from all the services under one command. You must obey all of these police, no matter what service they represent and no matter what their rank.
Military police from the various services assist military personnel and investigate accidents and offenses involving military personnel. They have the authority to stop, question, apprehend, or take into custody any member of the armed forces. You are required to show them your ID card, leave papers, or other orders, and to obey any directions they give you.
MAAs and Police Petty Officers
While SPs, MPs, and APs function as police off base, on board your ship or duty station certain personnel are assigned similar duties as masters-at-arms (MAA). They are appointed by the executive officer (second in command) and function as her or his assistants. Large ships or stations will have a chief master-at-arms (CMAA) with an appropriate number of assistants. Personnel are usually assigned to the MAA force for several months or longer. While acting as MAAs, they are relieved of most of their normal watches and duties.
Police petty officers usually remain with their divisions for work and watches, but they have additional duties that contribute to good order and discipline, such as making reveille (morning wakeup) and taps (shutting things down for the night), directing traffic during times of heavy personnel movement, and turning lights on and off at the appropriate times.
PERSONAL RELATIONS
Getting along in the Navy means more than just learning new duties, obeying regulations, standing watches, and carrying out assigned tasks. It also means working and living with all kinds of people. While this is part of the American ethic, it takes on particular significance when you find yourself in the crowded and challenging working conditions that are often a part of Navy life. Going to sea means a lot of people living and working in a relatively small area. It may mean not only putting up with crowded living conditions but also with extreme operating conditions and long working hours, in intense heat or bitter cold, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. The combination of these challenges coupled with the high standards of conduct demanded by the Navy means that you will have to place a great deal of emphasis on your personal behavior and on your relations with others.
Getting along with others is always in your own best interests. But even if it were not, you need to be aware that one of the quickest ways to end a successful career, and to face other harsh penalties as well, is to take part in such practices as ethnic discrimination and sexual harassment. The Navy is committed to fair and equitable treatment of all hands, by all hands, at all times, and simply will not tolerate anything less.
Ethnic Discrimination
Because Americans join the Navy from all walks of life and come from all parts of the country, you will be living and working with people of different races, people with different social and educational backgrounds, people of different religious faiths, people whose family background and customs are different from yours. All of these variations are defined as “ethnic” differences, and while they are very real and may be very evident, they must also be irrelevant in your relations with one another. Despite all these potential differences, the people you share the Navy with are guaranteed to have two things in common with you. They are people, and they are in the Navy. These are strong bonds when you think about it.
This is not to say that you must like everyone in the Navy. Human nature being what it is, it is almost guaranteed that you will meet, and even work closely with, some people you will not like. But your evaluation of individuals should be based upon their words and actions, not on their ethnic differences.
Men and women who have been in combat will tell you that they never gave a thought to the religion of the medic who stopped the bleeding of their wounds. They never once wondered if the pilot who was providing covering fire for them was black or white. They never asked about a fellow Sailor’s family background before letting him help put out a fire on an aircraft loaded with live bombs.
The Navy has taken a great many steps to eliminate ethnic prejudice and discrimination. There are programs, educational campaigns, and regulations enacted to this end. All of these are important steps that need to be taken, but what is going to be the most effective means is how you deal with these matters. The following principles should guide you in your everyday activities:
Treat each person as an individual and evaluate him or her on words and actions, not on ethnic makeup.
Never tolerate ethnic discrimination in others. If a subordinate is practicing discrimination or exhibiting ethnic prejudice, correct it. If a superior is doing so, report it.
If you are the victim of such activities, report it.
If you follow these guidelines at all times, you will be taking a large step toward the prevention of ethnic discrimination in the Navy, and you will be protecting yourself from the very serious consequences that are the result of such practices.
Sexual Harassment
It should come as no surprise to you that sexual harassment is prohibited in the Navy. Sexual harassment is defined, in simple terms, as making unwelcome advances toward another person. But human interaction is rarely simple. There can be a fine line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior when it comes to sexual interactions among individuals. Sexual harassment can be sexually oriented communications, comments, gestures, or physical contact. It can also be offers or threats to influence or alter, directly or indirectly, an individual’s career or other conditions of service in order to secure sexual favors.
Despite the terminology used, sexual harassment is really about power, not about sex. Both men and women are capable of harassment and either men or women can be victims of it. An important point to keep in mind is that unwelcome behavior is determined by the person being subjected to the behavior, not the person doing it. Not everyone considers the same things welcome or unwelcome, so it only makes sense that it is the one on the receiving end who determines what is unwelcome. Some basic principles that will help guide you in your day-to-day activities:
Any time sexually oriented behavior of any kind is introduced into the work environment or among coworkers, the behavior may constitute sexual harassment.
If in doubt, don’t do it.
Never tolerate sexual harassment in others. If a subordinate is sexually harassing someone, correct it. If a superior is doing so, report it.
If you are the victim of such activities, report it.
Men and women in the Navy have an obligation to each other and to their service to respect each other’s dignity. That is the basis of civil rights and is required conduct for all service people.
Fraternization
Hundreds of years of Navy experience have demonstrated that seniors must maintain thoroughly professional relationships with juniors at all times. “Fraternization” is the term traditionally used to identify personal relationships that violate the customary bounds of acceptable senior-subordinate relationships.
While it is impossible to define every situation that might be considered fraternization, common sense dictates that activities that can affect a senior’s ability to be objective are not appropriate. For example, dating, sharing living accommodations, intimate or sexual relations, commercial solicitations, private business partnerships, gambling, and lending or borrowing money are all activities that can impact senior-subordinate relationships.
Personal relationships that include any of these characteristics are forbidden under the following circumstances:
between officers and enlisted personnel
between chief petty officers (E-7 through E-9) and juniors (E-1 through E-6) who are assigned to the same command
between instructors and students within Navy training commands
between recruiters and recruits (or potential recruits)
Violations of these rules may result in disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
One last caution: Fraternization rules are “service specific,” which means they are not identical in each of the armed services. What is allowed or forbidden in another service, such as the Army, may or may not be allowed in the Navy, so do not make assumptions. If in doubt, ask for assistance from a senior in your chain of command to determine what is appropriate behavior and what might be considered fraternization.
Hazing
Good-natured fun, such as mild teasing, can enhance relationships among shipmates, but when it goes too far, it is no longer fun and is illegal. Your Navy has no tolerance for behaviors that are demeaning, humiliating, abusive, oppressive, or cruel to others. Neither must you.
Games or playing tricks on others that include such actions as shaving, taping, greasing, painting, tattooing, striking, threatening, forcing the consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance are forbidden. Such practices as “tacking on,” “pinning,” and “blood wings” are a quick way to find yourself the subject of a court-martial. Following two simple rules will keep you from making a mistake that may do significant physical or psychological harm to others and bring serious consequences to you:
Do not do anything to someone else that you would not want done to you.
If you have any doubt, don’t do it.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Because you represent the U.S. Navy whenever you put on your uniform, you are in effect performing public relations duty every time you come into contact with someone outside the Navy. What people think about the Navy is influenced by what they see its members doing. This is true whether you are a seaman recruit or an admiral. When you put on the Navy uniform, you represent the U.S. Navy. It should be apparent that it is in your best interests as well as the Navy’s that you never forget your importance as a representative of the service and always conduct yourself in a manner that will bring credit to you, your Navy, and the nation you serve.
Overseas Diplomacy
When you are visiting or working in other countries—and, as a Sailor in the U.S. Navy, the odds are that you will find yourself in one or more foreign nations at some point in your career—you represent not only the Navy but the United States of America as well. You will be on public relations duty, and you will, in effect, be an American ambassador as well. Fair or not, people in the other nations you visit will often judge all Americans by what you do.
24/7
From the time you join the service until you are discharged or retire, your duty and commitment to the Navy is a twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week obligation. This means that you must comply with the codes, standards, regulations, and policies described in this chapter and elsewhere in this book at all times, in all places. Unacceptable conduct is not excused because you are “not at work.”
Finally, three simple rules will guide you well in your conduct as a Sailor in the United States Navy:
Always be aware that you are a representative of the Navy and your nation.
Always assume that someone is watching.
Never do anything you would not want to read about online or in the newspaper or that you would not want to have to explain to your commanding officer or the people who raised you.