1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.
6. To receive, obey, and pass on the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
9. To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
11. To be especially watchful at night and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

The author of the United States Military Code of Conduct was a United States Marine.
Col. F. Brooke Nihart was a highly decorated Marine who saw combat in the Pacific during WW II and the Korean War.
The Col. also led "Operation Blackbird" during the Korean War. "Operation Blackbird" was the first night helicopter operation in military history. It landed 200 troops on a hilltop in North Korea in Sept. 1951 at the "Battle of the Punchbowl". The Col was awarded the Navy Cross for his deeds during that operation.
After the Korean War, in an effort to prevent the brainwashing which so many American G.I.'s had been subjected to during that war, the Marine Corps set out to develop a code of honor governing the behavior of American Service members who become POW's. Col. Nihart was assigned that task.
On Aug 17, 1955 President Eisenhower signed an executive order making the code the official "credo" for ALL American Service Members.
Col. Nihart died Aug. 30, 2006 at the age of 87.
The Colonel's version has been rewritten slightly since 1955. But what he came up with then, is what we know today as the "U.S. Military Code of Conduct".

And did you know that the Navy/Marine Corps Medal of Honor is older than the Army medal?
The Navy and Marine Corps' Medal of Honor is our country's oldest continuously awarded decoration, even though its appearance and award criteria has changed since it was created for enlisted men by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles on 16 December 1861. Legislation in 1915 made naval officers eligible for the award.
On December 9, 1861 Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced S. No. 82 in the United States Senate, a bill designed to "promote the efficiency of the Navy" by authorizing the production and distribution of "medals of honor". (Italics added) On December 21st the bill was passed, authorizing 200 such medals be produced "which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war (Civil War)." President Lincoln signed the bill and the (Navy) Medal of Honor was born.

Two months later on February 17, 1862 Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill, this one to authorize "the President to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle." Over the following months wording changed slightly as the bill made its way through Congress. When President Abraham Lincoln signed S.J.R. No. 82 on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was born.

In formation with Navy units, why are Marines “on the right of the line”?
In parades and ceremonies, the right of the line and head of the column is the post of the senior unit. In the four military services of the United States, the right to left/front to rear pecking order is: (1) U.S. Army; (2) U.S. Marine Corps; (3) U.S. Navy; and (4) U.S. Air Force. Other organizations, such as service academies, etc., come next.
At first glance seniority seems to be based upon the date each service was established. The Army was founded in June 1775, making it the oldest. The Air Force, which became a separate service after World War II, is the youngest. But, the Continental Congress appointed a Naval Committee on 13 October 1775, which the Navy celebrates as its birthday, while the Marine Corps was established on 10 November 1775. QUESTION: As the “Naval Committee”was appointed before the Marine Corps (and celebrated by the Navy as its birthday), why do Marine units have precedence when lining up in formation?
ANSWER: The Navy and Marine Corps have a unique relationship as being our Country’s “sea services”. Although the “Naval Committee”was appointed before the Continental Marines were established, the Marines commissioned Captain Samuel Nicholas on 28 November 1775 before any Navy officers were.
The first Navy officers (including ”Commander-in-Chief ”Ezekiel" [Esek] Hopkins and Lieutenant John Paul Jones) did not receive their commissions until 22 December, almost a month later. Based on this, U.S. Navy Regulations direct that Marine units will take post on the right of Navy units in line, and ahead of them in column.