How many General Orders are taught to cadets in basic instruction?

• A. Nine
• B. Twelve
• C. Eleven
• D. Eight

Answer: (C)

General Orders lay out the duties of a sentry and establish how to act on post. They’re taught early in basic instruction to build discipline, accountability, and quick, consistent responses to typical guard situations. In cadet training, there is a fixed set of eleven general orders; each one describes a core responsibility, from taking charge of the post and protecting property, to reporting violations, to receiving and relaying orders from superiors, to saluting and staying alert at night. Because this set is fixed and comprehensive for duties on sentry posts, the correct count is eleven. Other counts would omit or add items not part of the standard list.