a common
term for the Articles for the
Government of the Navy, a
list containing the provisions of
law governing the disciplinary system in
force in the United
States Navy. These articles, which are published monthly and sometimes
read aloud to naval crews, delineate what
acts are considered
offenses and the punishments for committing them. Literally,
rocks and
shoals (submerged sandbanks) are obstacles that could damage or
destroy a
ship.