The following is a list of regulations that all soldiers must follow in the Shukara Volunteer Navy, but also, a list of discharge sections that soldiers can be given.
A series of regulations that all soldiers must follow, failure to do will result in discharge, or worse.
All soldiers should be mindful of their surroundings when in combat, and to never fire on civilians. The only time this may be allowed is when the civilian in question picks up a weapon and turns it on the soldier, otherwise, civilians are protected under the Neshaten Protection War Act.
All soldiers should know that it is illegal for a starship captain and the crew to open fire on an unarmed vessel, this includes cargo ships, passenger transports, and shuttles along with unarmed merchant ships. Exceptions to this regulation are applied only when these ships are apart of an attacking force, but when encountered alone they are protected by the Neshaten Protection War Act.
Any unarmed ship spotted and attempting to flee, should be seized. Lethal force is permissible only if the ship unexpectedly opens fire, in which case it is deemed an armed ship and no longer applies under the NPWA.
All soldiers need to respect the chain of command, never violate it by going over their commanding officers head if they have a problem with that officer. If they can't solve their problems, or if their officer in intentionally giving them a hard time, a soldier may only request an investigation be done. However, soldiers who make this request must have solid evidence to backup their claims, otherwise they risk a discharge due to filing an illegal request.
All soldiers should know to always salute the rank/uniform, this is customary while on-board a military ship, base, or station. While in combat, saluting is forbidden and while in public saluting is not required.
Respect your fellow soldiers and your fellow officers. All soldiers are taught this during training, and should follow it out of training, both in battle and out. Never disrespect anyone, whether its based on past experiences, on the actions of that soldier, or on the race of that soldier.
When an officer approaches, always greet them friendly, then let them pass.
The military doesn't tolerate cowardice, any soldier found cowering behind the lines and not helping their fellow soldiers are subject to discharge. However, this also includes soldiers faking an injury or an illness to get out of deployment.
If a soldier feels that the order they've been given is illegal, they are free to violate that order, however if evidence is later shown that the order wasn't illegal, this soldier may be subject to punishment An order is illegal only when it violates military regulations, this includes, but is not limited to:
Soldiers should never leave a fellow squad-mate behind, whether that soldier is injured or not, abandoning a squadmate is considered a dishonorable act and the work of a coward. The only time this may be permitted, is if all options to assist that soldier have expired.
Mercy killings are allowed in the military, if a soldier is in the hands of an enemy, or if their wounds are so severe and the soldier isn't likely to survive until help arrives, then their life can be taken as a merciful gesture. However, while this is permitted, when a Mercy Killing is done it'll be investigated to make certain it was the right course of action - thus soldiers should be mindful of when to exercise this ability.
Although the military isn't the police, all soldiers are expected to enforce civil law and to assist police when either a request is made or when a soldier stumbles upon an officer in need of help.
Any and all laws should be followed by soldiers, being in the military doesn't make the soldier above the law. Any soldier found breaking the law is subject to court marshal both in the Military and Civilian jurisdiction.
In an effort to make identifying an officer or those who are in charge harder, all soldiers are to remove their rank armbands before battle. Only soldiers serving on a ship are permitted to keep their armbands on, unless their ship is boarded, then they must remove said bands.
As an officer in charge of a ship, all captains are required to respond to distress calls that they receive. All ships answering a distress call should handle the situation with caution.
Unless there is an active war, or specifically stated before a battle begins. All starship captains and soldiers alike should avoid firing unless fired upon or ordered. This is because the ship or person they fire upon may turn out to be a potential ally, or even, just an innocent person who is trying to help.
As it's the job of the military to protect citizens, all soldiers must remain armed at all times, this means they must keep their sword on their person unless they are in their barracks or cabin of a starship. No soldier, whether it be an enlisted or officer, may request that another relinquish their sword unless the soldier getting the request is being arrested for a crime.
Sections are related to the type of discharge a soldier is given, sections also determine whether a soldier will have an easier time finding a new place of employment upon release, or having almost no chance.
A section one discharge is a dishonorable discharge and the kind no soldier wants, this discharge is given when a soldier knowingly disobeys regulations and ends up getting civilians killed. This discharge is commonly referred to as 'Discharge - Execution' because it leads straight to execution once the trial is over.
A section one point two is similar to section one, in that it's a dishonorable discharge, but unlike section one this one is the result of a soldier disobeying regulations but not getting any civilians killed, instead however the soldier get's military personnel killed.
This results in a discharge, followed by prison time, then ending with execution.
A section one point three is where a soldier disobeys military regulations but doesn't get anyone killed. This is the lightest form of a section one discharge, soldiers who receive this are purely discharged from the military dishonorably.
A section two discharge is a non-dishonourable but not an honorable discharge, normally given to soldiers who only spend below their enlistment time in the military.
A section three discharge is for soldiers who have spent above the required enlistment time in the military, it's an honorable discharge. This requires a soldier to either spend ten years in the military, or be recognized for gallant service.
A section four is the first tier of a medical discharge, given to soldiers who are suffering from any kind of a medical problem that makes it hard for them to continue service. Soldiers who are only suffering from physical disorders, such as broken limbs, can still stay in the military.
A section five is a medical tier for soldiers who are suffering from mental disorders accrued while in service.