Be Sure to Follow Only Legal and Ethical Orders

4-73. Making the right choice and acting on it when faced with an ethical question can be difficult.Sometimes it means standing firm and disagreeing with the boss on ethical grounds. These occasions test character. Situations in which a leader thinks an illegal order is issued can be the most difficult.

4-74. Under normal circumstances, a leader executes a superior leader’s decision with energy and enthusiasm. The only exception would be illegal orders, which a leader has a duty to disobey. If a Soldier perceives that an order is illegal, that Soldier should be sure the details of the order and its original intent are fully understood. The Soldier should seek immediate clarification from the person who gave it before proceeding.

4-75. If the question is more complex, seek legal counsel. If it requires an immediate decision, as may happen in the heat of combat, make the best judgment possible based on the Army Values, personal
experience, critical thinking, and previous study and reflection. There is a risk when a leader disobeys what
may be an illegal order, and it may be the most difficult decision that Soldier ever makes. Nonetheless, that is what competent, confident, and ethical leaders should do.

4-76. While a leader may not be completely prepared for the complex situations, spending time to reflect on the Army Values, studying, and honing personal leadership competencies will help. Talk to superiors,  particularly those who have done the same.

4-77. Living the Army Values and acting ethically is not just for generals and colonels. There are ethicaldecisions made every day in military units and in offices on Army installations across the world. Theyinclude decisions that can directly affect the lives of Soldiers in the field, innocent noncombatants, Army
civilians, as well as American taxpayers. It is up to all Army leaders to make value-based, ethical choices
for the good of the Army and the Nation. Army leaders should have the strength of character to make the right choices.

Giant Print Ranger Handbook

The Giant print Ranger Handbook will be available very soon. We are just finishing the format. Current version has 7 font. New version will have 11 font. What a difference.

Printed Ranger Handbook is here.

Standing Orders for Rogers' Rangers-From the Ranger Handbook

STANDING ORDERS, ROGERS' RANGERS

1.  Don't forget nothing.

2.  Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute's warning.

3.  When you're on the march, act the way you would if you was sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.

4.  Tell the truth about what you see and what you do. There is an army depending on us for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but don't never lie to a Ranger or officer.

5.  Don't never take a chance you don't have to.

6.  When we're on the march we march single file, far enough apart so one shot can't go through two men.

7.  If we strike swamps, or soft ground, we spread out abreast, so it's hard to track us.

8.  When we march, we keep moving till dark, so as to give the enemy the least possible chance at us.

9.  When we camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.

10.If we take prisoners, we keep' em separate till we have had time to examine them, so they can't cook up a story between' em.

11.Don't ever march home the same way. Take a different route so you won't be ambushed.

12.No matter whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party has to keep a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank, and 20 yards in the rear so the main body can't be surprised and wiped out.

13.Every night you'll be told where to meet if surrounded by a superior force.

14.Don't sit down to eat without posting sentries.

15.Don't sleep beyond dawn. Dawn's when the French and Indians attack.

16.Don't cross a river by a regular ford.

17.If somebody's trailing you, make a circle, come back onto your own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush you.

18.Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you. Kneel down, lie down, hide behind a tree.

19.Let the enemy come till he's almost close enough to touch, then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.

--MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS, 1759