![]() ![]() “I will hold myself to the highest standards of holy living and ministry excellence, and I will lovingly require the same of my comrades and leaders.” “I will accept the authority of the officers and local officers appointed to lead me, and I will endeavor to fully live up to the commitment I made when I signed my Soldier’s Covenant.” “I will fulfill my role in my corps to the best of my ability, and I will be faithful even in hard times.” So, what would the Three General Orders for Salvation Army soldiers look like? Here is an attempt: Soldiers are also legally liable to report violations by those in their units, including those of their leaders. For example, soldiers have been executed for falling asleep on guard duty in a combat zone when it resulted in casualties in their unit, and that penalty is still in place today although seldom if ever carried out. The military is quite serious about following these orders. The third covers the importance of reporting violations of orders, both personal (turning yourself in) and by others, because of the danger these represent to the unit. The second covers obedience to leaders and applies the same level of commitment to the tasks they assign. The first order requires a soldier to fully carry out his or her duties no matter the circumstances and to never quit their post. They don’t cover the particulars of a mission, but the big picture. These orders are, as the name implies, purposely general. “I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions, to the commander of the relief.” “I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.” “I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.” However, they apply as well to all soldiers in all situations. These orders were written for soldiers on guard duty, and especially guarding the “perimeter” of a unit in a combat zone. ![]() One of the first things a new trainee learns in boot camp, other than doing whatever the Drill Sergeant says “Right now!!” are the Three General Orders. ![]()
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