boogerbrain
New Member
Hello All:
I am currently in talks with an enlisted recruiter and may consider enlisting (and afterwards may consider reapplying for OCS).
I was hoping to get a better understanding of "lawful orders." I am trying to get a feel for how far an NCO or a commissioned officer's orders can go. I will write a few scenarios (some may perhaps be considered silly, but I am not trying to be a troll) and for those who have either been in the military please feel free to answer. In all scenarios, I am an ideal sailor who follows orders, works hard, etc.
Scenario #1: (hygenic scenario)
My NCO or commissioned officer, for whatever reason, orders me to grow/shave a mustache, cease to floss and brush my teeth for an extended period, cease to keep body hair trimmed to my liking, cease to wear deoderant, etc. am I required to follow such an order?
Scenario #2: (relationship scenario)
I have a religious NCO or commanding officer. I have a girlfriend, but we aren't
currently married. I get all dressed up for a nice date with said girlfriend,
and my commanding officer fearing I may participate in some premarital sex,
forbids me from seeing my girlfriend for the night and/or an extended period of time. Is this a "lawful order" and does it need to be followed?
Scenario #3: (review scenario: "lawful orders" not really in this scenario)
I know both enlisted and commissioned sailors are reviewed by their commanding
officers. I am a good sailor, do a good job on the ship, etc. However, again,
my commanding officer who writes my review gives me a bad score for no other
reason than he doesn't like me (for whatever reason). What do I do in such a
situation?
Scenario #4: (leave/free time scenario)
A number of years ago I was training in boxing/kickboxing, submission grappling,
and amateur wrestling. In addition, I enjoy working out with kettlebells, clubbells, macebells, etc. Should I enlist (and/or once I find a career type job) I
would again like to start training martial arts again (as well as continue my personal workouts). Let's say I enlist, and for no good reason my NCO/commanding officer doesn't particularly like me (though I am a good sailor and I follow orders), and forbids me from training in any type of martial arts or exercising to keep myself physically fit. Do I have to obey this order? Or once I am off duty, do I have the freedom to do as I wish, even if such an order were given?
Scenario #5: (OCS scenario)
After a few years as an enlisted sailor, I make it known to my NCO/commanding officer that I wish to reapply for OCS. My NCO/commanding officer forbids me from reapplying. Am I required to follow this order?
I am currently in talks with an enlisted recruiter and may consider enlisting (and afterwards may consider reapplying for OCS).
I was hoping to get a better understanding of "lawful orders." I am trying to get a feel for how far an NCO or a commissioned officer's orders can go. I will write a few scenarios (some may perhaps be considered silly, but I am not trying to be a troll) and for those who have either been in the military please feel free to answer. In all scenarios, I am an ideal sailor who follows orders, works hard, etc.
Scenario #1: (hygenic scenario)
My NCO or commissioned officer, for whatever reason, orders me to grow/shave a mustache, cease to floss and brush my teeth for an extended period, cease to keep body hair trimmed to my liking, cease to wear deoderant, etc. am I required to follow such an order?
Scenario #2: (relationship scenario)
I have a religious NCO or commanding officer. I have a girlfriend, but we aren't
currently married. I get all dressed up for a nice date with said girlfriend,
and my commanding officer fearing I may participate in some premarital sex,
forbids me from seeing my girlfriend for the night and/or an extended period of time. Is this a "lawful order" and does it need to be followed?
Scenario #3: (review scenario: "lawful orders" not really in this scenario)
I know both enlisted and commissioned sailors are reviewed by their commanding
officers. I am a good sailor, do a good job on the ship, etc. However, again,
my commanding officer who writes my review gives me a bad score for no other
reason than he doesn't like me (for whatever reason). What do I do in such a
situation?
Scenario #4: (leave/free time scenario)
A number of years ago I was training in boxing/kickboxing, submission grappling,
and amateur wrestling. In addition, I enjoy working out with kettlebells, clubbells, macebells, etc. Should I enlist (and/or once I find a career type job) I
would again like to start training martial arts again (as well as continue my personal workouts). Let's say I enlist, and for no good reason my NCO/commanding officer doesn't particularly like me (though I am a good sailor and I follow orders), and forbids me from training in any type of martial arts or exercising to keep myself physically fit. Do I have to obey this order? Or once I am off duty, do I have the freedom to do as I wish, even if such an order were given?
Scenario #5: (OCS scenario)
After a few years as an enlisted sailor, I make it known to my NCO/commanding officer that I wish to reapply for OCS. My NCO/commanding officer forbids me from reapplying. Am I required to follow this order?