Legal Definitions - orderly officer

An orderly officer is a commissioned officer, typically within a military or other uniformed service, who is assigned a temporary duty for a specific period (often 24 hours) to oversee the general order, discipline, and routine operations of a unit, base, or facility. This officer acts as the direct representative of the commanding officer during their duty period, ensuring compliance with regulations, responding to incidents, and managing daily administrative and security tasks.

• Example 1: Army Barracks

  A newly commissioned Second Lieutenant is assigned orderly officer duty for a 24-hour period at an Army barracks. During this time, they are responsible for conducting inspections of living quarters, ensuring soldiers are adhering to daily routines and regulations, overseeing the change of guard duty, and addressing any minor disciplinary issues that arise. They also serve as the primary point of contact for any urgent matters, reporting significant incidents directly to the commanding officer.

  This example illustrates the orderly officer's role in maintaining discipline and order, acting as the commanding officer's direct representative to ensure the smooth daily operation and adherence to rules within the barracks.

• Example 2: Naval Ship in Port

  While a destroyer is docked in port, a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) is designated as the orderly officer for the day. Their duties include supervising the ship's watch standers, ensuring the security of the vessel, managing requests for shore leave from the crew, conducting routine inspections for cleanliness and readiness, and handling any immediate operational or personnel issues that occur before reporting to the Captain.

  Here, the LTJG functions as the orderly officer by overseeing the ship's routine operations, security, and crew welfare, representing the Captain's authority to maintain order and address immediate concerns during the designated period.

• Example 3: Air Force Training Wing

  A Captain is assigned as the orderly officer for a training wing at an Air Force base over a weekend. Their responsibilities include ensuring the welfare of the trainees, verifying adherence to weekend schedules and curfews, conducting random checks for unauthorized activities, and serving as the first point of contact for any emergencies, significant incidents, or serious breaches of conduct among the trainees.

  This scenario demonstrates the orderly officer's role in supervising discipline, ensuring the well-being of personnel, and responding to incidents within a specific unit, acting on behalf of the wing commander to uphold standards and manage unforeseen events.