Pay and Incentives for Commissioned Officers
- Commissioned officers receive regular pay plus a 10% increase for each five years of faithful service, capped at 40% of yearly pay.
Enlistment and Pay for Petty Officers and Crews
- The Director may enlist men for two-year terms; re-enlistment rewards include additional pay increments.
- Enlistees must be U.S. or Philippine citizens and take an oath of allegiance.
Oath of Office Requirement
- All officers, enlisted men, light keepers, and apprentices must take a prescribed oath recognizing U.S. authority and committing to faithful service before duty.
- Oath may be administered by authorized officials and filed with the Bureau of Navigation.
Discipline, Uniforms, and Removal Powers
- Director ensures discipline, uniformity, and lawful armament of personnel.
- Has power to suspend, punish, or remove personnel for inefficiency, misconduct, disloyalty, or offenses listed in section 9, subject to approvals.
- Temporary appointments to fill vacancies are authorized.
- Director may regulate selection and promotion.
Retirement and Pension Eligibility
- Personnel with 20+ years continuous, faithful service may apply for retirement with a pension.
- Pension is 2.5% of total pay per year of service, limited to 75% of current pay.
- Pension funded from a specifically created pension fund, not government general revenues.
Pension Fund Creation and Management
- 2% deduction of monthly pay for all personnel is earmarked for the pension fund.
- Fund held in the Insular Treasury, separate from general funds.
- Also used for relief of injured/incapacitated personnel and benefits for widows/orphans.
- Fund expenditure requires Governor-General approval under recommended regulations.
Pension Fund Investment
- Pension fund investments managed by Postal Savings Bank Investment Board.
- Investments follow guidelines for Postal Savings Bank funds but with more flexible asset allocation.
Offenses Against Good Order and Discipline - Criminal Penalties
- Mutiny, resistance to authority, willful disobedience, unauthorized absence with intent to desert, misconduct before enemies, and other serious offenses punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
- Penalties range from fines up to 5000 pesos and imprisonment up to 2 years.
Summary Offenses and Punishments
- Petty officers, enlisted men, and light keepers face summary trials for minor offenses such as wasting property, disrespect, absence without leave, drunkenness on duty, disorderly conduct, gambling, and incitement.
- Penalties include fines, confinement with hard labor, reduction of grade, and forfeiture of pay.
- Specific penalty schedules apply, with escalating penalties for repeated offenses.
Summary Court Procedures and Limitations
- Summary courts convened by designated Bureau officers within 24 hours of arrest.
- Courts can administer oaths, impose penalties including confinement, reduction in grade, and fines.
- Restrictions on confinement conditions and promotion following reduction in grade apply.
- Detailed record-keeping is mandatory.
Forfeitures and Fund Utilization
- Forfeitures collected are deposited into the pension fund.
- Expenditures audited by the Insular Auditor.
Application of U.S. Navy Courts-Martial Rules
- Rules for procedure and form in summary courts must follow applicable U.S. Navy court-martial guidelines unless inconsistent with the Act.
Arrest and Detention Pending Investigation
- Directors and captains may arrest and confine personnel pending investigation or trial for up to 10 days.
- Arrest without warrant is authorized for crimes or offenses under the Act.
Repeal and Supremacy of Penal Code Penalties
- Inconsistencies with prior Acts are repealed.
- Penal Code penalties prevail if harsher than those provided by this Act.