Terms commonly associated with Guard Duty
Commanding Officer. The officer commanding an installation, organization, unit, garrison, or bivouac.
Field Officer of the Day. A field grade officer detailed as the personal representative of the commanding officer. During his tour of duty he is responsible to the commanding officer for the security of the installation or activity and other duties as may be assigned depending upon local directives.
Officer of the Day. An officer, acting directly under the commanding officer or field officer of the day, who is responsible on a given day for the execution of all orders of the commanding officer relating to guard duty and other duties as may be assigned.
Commander of the Guard. The senior officer or noncommissioned officer of the guard, next junior to the officer of the day. He is responsible for the instruction, discipline, and performance of duty of the guard.
Sergeant of the Guard. The senior noncommissioned officer of the guard. He supervises the enlisted members of the guard and is responsible to the commander of the guard.
Relief Commander(s). The next senior noncommissioned officer(s) of the guard.
Main Guard. Regular interior guard of a post or unit whose principal duties are to patrol the area and protect the personnel, buildings, and equipment. A main guard is a subdivision of the interior guard of a command. Other subdivisions include escort guard or honor guards, for example.
Fixed Post System. Assigning sentinels to guard duty at fixed posts where they remain until relieved.
Guard. A term used when referring to:
(1) A special unit responsible to the officer of the day for the protection and security of an installation or area. This unit includes a commander of the guard, sergeant of the guard, commanders of the relief, and the guards.
(2) An individual responsible to keep watch over, protect, shield, defend, warn, or any duties prescribed by general orders and/or special orders. Also referred to as a sentinel, sentry, or lookout.
(a) Sentinel. An individual of the guard whose duties are prescribed by general and/or special orders. Also referred to as a guard, sentry, or lookout.
(b) Sentry. A guard, sentinel, or lookout.
Guard’s Post. An area for which the guard is responsible. Within his post, a guard performs the duties required by general and special orders.
Supernumerary. An extra member of the guard who is used when needed to replace a guard or perform duties prescribed by local directives.
Guardhouse. A building, tent, or other location occupied by men detailed for interior guard duty. It is the headquarters for the guard.
Correctional Officer. The correctional officer, appointed by the commanding officer of a military installation, is charged with the custody, administration, and treatment of prisoners.
Stockade. A correctional facility, under the jurisdiction of an installation commander, used for the confinement of military prisoners.
Challenge. Any process carried out by one unit or person with the object of ascertaining the friendly or hostile character or identity of another. The command “HALT, WHO IS THERE?” is used to cause an unidentified party or person to halt and be identified. If an additional challenge is used, it follows the original challenge and consists of a word or distinctive sound disseminated only to friendly or authorized persons.
Countersign. A countersign consists of two words: the secret challenge and its password. The words comprising the countersign are issued from the principal headquarters of a command to aid guards in their scrutiny of persons who apply to pass. These words are disseminated only to friendly personnel.
(1) Challenge. The first word or part of the countersign, used to challenge a person or party. It is disseminated only to friendly personnel.
(2) Password. A secret word or distinctivesound used to reply to a challenge. The second word or part of the countersign. It is used in answer the challenge and is disseminated only to friendly personnel.
(3) Parole. A special password used as a check on the countersign..
