(1) The privilege of a “V.G.*” character is granted in order that a sailor may not, by one slip, forfeit the rewards due to an otherwise unblemished record. The Commanding Officer may assess a sailor’s character as “V.G.*” once during the sailor’s career, notwithstanding that an assessment of “V.G.” has been precluded by one of the following punishments: -
(a) in the first four years of sailor’s time –
(i) Cells for a period not exceeding five days:
(ii) Reduction to the second class for conduct if restored at the end of one month:
or,
(b) by the following punishment at any time: - Deprivation of one Good Conduct Badge.
(2) This privilege shall not be allowed unless the Commanding Officer is entirely satisfied with the behavior, conduct and work of the sailors for the year, apart from the offence which resulted in one of the punishments mentioned in sub-regulation (1).
(3) when an offender’s sentence is suspended before committal, he has, having been convicted, made the one slip which the privilege of “V.G.*” is intended to cover, and consequently the character assessment of such a sailor for the year in which he has received a suspended sentence shall not be “V.G”. The assessment may be “V.G.*” subject to:
(a) the provisions of the relevant Regulations regarding effect of suspension of sentences upon consequential penalties;
(b) the provisions of sub-regulation (2) and sub-regulation (4);
(c) the effect of any other punishment awarded during the year.
(d) the award of “V.G.*” not being precluded by a previous award of “V.G.*”.
A sailor with a previous assessment of “V.G.*” or below, whose character is being assessed for a year in which he had received a suspended sentence, shall not receive a character higher then “Good”.
(4) Sailors who have previously received a character below “V.G.” in man’s time are not eligible for the concession, nor are sailors who have had an inferior assessment specially altered with the prior approval of the Chief of the Naval Staff to “V.G.” unless the alteration followed automatically upon the cancellation of a punishment, and then only with the prior approval of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
(5) ”V.G.” shall be regarded as equivalent to “V.G.” for all purpose which entail consideration of character the asterisk being placed against the award to ensure that no sailor receives such special consideration more than once during his service.
(6) “V.G.*” cannot be awarded as a discretionary assessment to a sailor whose general behavior during the year is considered by the Commanding Officer not to warrant as assessment of “V.G.”.