Code of Conduct and the Law of War

Question 1

HOW MANY ARTICLES TO THE CODE OF CONDUCT ARE THERE?

Answer 1

Six

Question 2

WHAT IS ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 2

I AM AN AMERICAN, FIGHTING IN THE FORCES WHICH GUARD MY COUNTRY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE. I AM PREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE.

Question 3

WHAT IS ARTICLE II OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 3

I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OF MY OWN FREE WILL. IF IN COMMAND, I WILL NEVER SURRENDER THE MEMBERS OF MY COMMAND WHILE THEY STILL HAVE THE MEANS TO RESIST.

Question 4

WHAT IS ARTICLE III OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 4

IF I AM CAPTURED I WILL CONTINUE TO RESIST BY ALL MEANS AVAILABLE I WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ESCAPE
AND AID OTHERS TO ESCAPE. I WILL ACCEPT NEITHER PAROLE NOR SPECIAL FAVORS FROM THE ENEMY.

Question 5

WHAT IS ARTICLE IV OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 5

IF I BECOME A PRISONER OF WAR, I WILL KEEP FAITH WITH MY FELLOW PRISONERS. I WILL GIVE NO INFORMATION OR TAKE PART IN ANY ACTION WHICH MAY BE HARMFUL TO MY COMMAND. IF I AM SENIOR, I WILL TAKE COMMAND. IF NOT, I WILL OBEY THE LAWFUL ORDERS OF THE APPOINTED OVER ME AND WILL BACK THEM UP IN EVERY WAY.

Question 6

WHAT IS ARTICLE V OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 6

WHEN QUESTIONED, SHOULD I BECOME A PRISONER OF WAR, I AM REQUIRED TO GIVE NAME, RANK, SERVICE NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH. I WILL EVADE ANSWERING FURTHER QUESTIONS TO THE UTMOST OF MY ABILITY. I WILL MAKE NO ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS DISLOYAL TO MY COUNTRY AND ITS ALLIES OR HARMFUL TO THEIR CAUSE.

Question 7

WHAT IS ARTICLE VI OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT?

Answer 7

I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT I AM AN AMERICAN, FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM, RESPONSIBLE FOR MY ACTIONS, AND
DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES WHICH MADE MY COUNTRY FREE. I WILL TRUST IN MY GOD AND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Question 8

WHY WAS THE CODE OF CONDUCT REVISED ON MARCH 28, 1988?

Answer 8

TO REMOVE SEXIST LANGUAGE.

Question 9

WHEN WAS THE CODE OF CONDUCT ORIGINALLY PRESCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

Answer 9

1955

Question 10

HOW MANY RIGHTS OF A POW ARE THERE AND WHAT ARE THEY?

Answer 10

1) RECEIVE SANITARY, PROTECTIVE HOUSING AND CLOTHING.
2) RECEIVE ENOUGH FOOD TO STAY IN GOOD HEALTH.
3) RECEIVE ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE.
4) RECEIVE NECESSARY FACILITIES FOR PROPER HYGIENE.
5) PRACTICE RELIGIOUS FAITH.
6) KEEP PERSONAL PROPERTY EXCEPT WEAPONS, MILITARY EQUIPMENT, AND MILITARY DOCUMENTS.
7) SEND AND RECEIVE MAIL.
8) RECEIVE PACKAGES CONTAINING FOOD, CLOTHING, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, OR RECREATIONAL MATERIAL.
9) SELECT A FELLOW POW TO REPRESENT YOU.
10) RECEIVE HUMANE TREATMENT BY YOUR CAPTORS.
11) HAVE A COPY OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION ON PREMISES OF WAR AND ITS ANNEXES, INCLUDING ANY SPECIAL AGREEMENTS, POSTED WHERE YOU CAN READ THEM. THEY MUST BE WRITTEN IN ENGLISH. IF THEY ARE POSTED WHERE YOU CANNOT READ THEM, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A COPY UPON REQUEST.
12) HAVE A COPY OF ALL CAMP REGULATIONS, NOTICES, ORDERS, AND PUBLICATIONS ABOUT YOUR CONDUCT AS A PRISONER OF WAR POSTED WHERE YOU CAN READ THEM. THEY MUST BE WRITTEN IN ENGLISH. IF POSTED WHERE YOU CANNOT READ THEM, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A COPY UPON REQUEST.

Question 11

WHAT ARE THE FOUR OBLIGATIONS OF A POW?

Answer 11

1) TELL CAPTORS YOUR NAME, RANK, SERVICE NUMBER, AND DATE OF BIRTH.
2) OBEY ALL LAWFUL RULES ESTABLISHED BY YOUR CAPTORS.
3) IF REQUIRED BY CAPTORS, PERFORM LABOR FOR PAY THAT IS NON-MILITARY AND NOT HUMILIATING, DANGEROUS, OR UNHEALTHY.
4) CONTINUE MILITARY DISCIPLINE AND COURTESY IN THE POW CAMP. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RENDER APPROPRIATE HONORS TO YOUR CAPTORS WHO ARE OFFICERS.

Question 12

WHAT ARE THE THREE PURPOSES OF THE LAW OF WAR?

Answer 12

1) PROTECTING BOTH COMBATANTS AND NONCOMBATANTS FROM UNNECESSARY SUFFERING.
2) SAFEGUARDING CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF PERSONS WHO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY, PARTICULARLY PRISONERS OF WAR, THE WOUNDED, THE SICK, AND CIVILIANS.
3) HELPING TO BRING PEACE.

Question 13

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE LAW OF WAR CAUSES WHAT?

Answer 13

1) DISHONORS THE NATION, THE MARINE CORPS, AND THE INDIVIDUAL MARINE.
2) STRENGTHENS THE ENEMY’S WILL TO FIGHT.

Question 14

WHAT LAW OF WAR RULES SHOULD ALL MARINES FOLLOW?

Answer 14

1) FIGHT ONLY ENEMY COMBATANTS.
2) DO NOT HARM ENEMIES WHO SURRENDER. DISARM THEM AND TURN THEM OVER TO YOUR SUPERIORS.
3) DO NOT KILL OR TORTURE PRISONERS.
4) COLLECT AND CARE FOR THE WOUNDED, WHETHER FRIEND OR FOE.
5) DO NOT ATTACK MEDICAL PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, OR EQUIPMENT.
6) DESTROY NO MORE THAN THE MISSION REQUIRES.
7) TREAT ALL CIVILIANS HUMANELY.
8) DO NOT STEAL. RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS.
9) DO THEIR BEST TO PREVENT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW OF WAR. REPORT ALL VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW OF WAR TO YOUR SUPERIOR.

Question 15

WHAT ARE THE TWO PRINCIPAL SOURCES THE LAW OF WAR IS DERIVED FROM?

Answer 15

1) LAWMAKING TREATIES (OR CONVENTIONS).

2) CUSTOMS.

Question 16

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE ANY OF THE LAW OF WAR RULES VIOLATED?

Answer 16

REPORT IT UP YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND.

Question 17

WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T REPORT A VIOLATION OF THE LAW OF WAR RULES?

Answer 17

YOU COULD BE PUNISHED UNDER THE UCMJ.

Question 18

BESIDES YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND, WHO COULD YOU REPORT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW OF WAR RULES TO?

Answer 18

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, THE CHAPLAIN, OR THE JUDGE ADVOCATE.

Question 19

WHAT ARE SOME ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF WAR?

Answer 19

RAPE, PILLAGE, AND PLUNDER.

Question 20

WHAT IS THE RULE TO REMEMBER ABOUT IDENTIFYING COMBATANTS AND NON COMBATANTS?

Answer 20

NOT EVERYONE IN UNIFORM IS A COMBATANT, AND NOT EVERYONE IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES IS A NONCOMBATANT.

Question 21

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF UNIFORMED NONCOMBATANTS?

Answer 21

MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS PERSONNEL, PERSONNEL WHO SURRENDER OR ARE CAPTURED OR DETAINED, SHIPWRECKED, SICK OR WOUNDED, PARACHUTISTS FROM DISABLED AIRCRAFT.

Question 22

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF CIVILIAN CLOTHED COMBATANTS?

Answer 22

GUERRILLAS

Question 23

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF PLACES NOT TO BE DESTROYED UNLESS AT THE TIME ARE BEING USED BY THE ENEMY FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS OR PURPOSES?

Answer 23

BUILDINGS DEDICATED TO ART, RELIGION, SCIENCE, OR CHARITABLE PURPOSES; HISTORICAL MONUMENTS; HOSPITALS AND PLACES WHERE THE SICK AND WOUNDED ARE COLLECTED AND CARED FOR; SCHOOLS AND ORPHANAGES.

Question 24

HOW ARE MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES USUALLY MARKED?

Answer 24

A RED CROSS ON A WHITE BACKGROUND.

Question 25

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS USED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO DESIGNATE MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS PERSONNEL OR FACILITIES?

Answer 25

1) TURKEY AND MOST OTHER MOSLEM COUNTRIES - RED CRESCENT.
2) IRAN - RED LION AND SUN.
3) ISRAEL - RED SHIELD OF DAVID.

Question 26

WHEN ARE PARACHUTIST CONSIDERED COMBATANTS?

Answer 26

IF THEY USE THEIR WEAPONS OR, UPON LANDING, DO NOT SURRENDER AND OF COURSE, PARATROOPERS ARE JUMPING FROM AN AIRPLANE SO THEY CAN FIGHT YOU AND YOU MAY FIRE AT THEM WHILE THEY ARE STILL INTHE AIR.

Question 27

WHEN IT IS DEALING WITH YOUR WEAPONS, WHAT IS CONSIDERED ILLEGAL ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL LAW?

Answer 27

ALTERING OF THE WEAPON IN ORDER TO CAUSE UNNECESSARY SUFFERING TO THE ENEMY.

Question 28

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF ALTERED WEAPONS?

Answer 28

“DUM-DUM” ROUNDS (BULLETS WITH ALTERED TIPS) OR USING HOLLOW DOSE BULLETS.

Question 29

WHEN WAS THE GENEVA CONVENTION ESTABLISHED?

Answer 29

1949

Question 30

WHAT ARE THE FIVE “S’s” WHEN DEALING WITH CAPTIVES OR DETAINEES?

Answer 30

SEARCH, SEGREGATE, SILENCE, SPEED, AND SAFEGUARD.

Question 31

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES AN ENEMY MIGHT DEMONSTRATE TO SURRENDER?

Answer 31

A SYMBOL WITH A WHITE FLAG, WALKING OR CRAWLING WITH HIS HANDS UP, OR YELLING TO YOU.

Question 32

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ALLOW THE ENEMY TO SURRENDER AND TO TREAT THEM HUMANELY?

Answer 32

THEY ARE A VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION, AND OTHERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO ALSO SURRENDER IF THEY SEE HOW WELL YOU TREAT CAPTIVES AND IT’S THE LAW!