What is the consequence of not following general orders?

When it comes to general orders, they are established directives that every service member is expected to obey without question. Failure to adhere to these orders can lead to significant implications for the individual involved. Possible disciplinary action serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of these orders; they are not merely guidelines but mandatory rules essential for maintaining order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the Marine Corps.

Adhering to general orders is vital for executing missions successfully and ensuring the safety of personnel. When individuals fail to follow these orders, it undermines unit cohesion, can endanger others, and disrupts the overall mission objectives. Therefore, disciplinary action is often necessary to address such failures and to reinforce the importance of compliance with established protocols. This could include a range of actions from counseling to more severe measures, depending on the nature and circumstances of the infraction.

While there are other potential repercussions of not following general orders, such as impacts on promotion opportunities or unit effectiveness, the immediate and most critical concern is the discipline enforced through possible disciplinary action. This action underscores the responsibility of each Marine to uphold the standards set forth by the Corps.