Rules of Engagement Flashcards
Define Law of War
that part of war that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities
Describe the purpose of the Law of War
To prevent unnecessary suffering, safeguard certain fundamental human rights of those involved in a conflict and to ultimately restore peace
Describe the principles of the law of War
Military Necessity-Justifies the employment of violence to obtai the submission of the enemy or to reach that certain military objective
Proportionality-Proportionate destruction of property that is relevant to the mission, to minimize suffering of all.
Avoid Unnecessary Suffering-ensure is that our decisions and actions minimize unnecessary suffering to the enemy as well as to any civilians and noncombatants involved
Distinction- requires that combatants be distinguished from noncombatants and that military ovjectives be distinguished from protected places
Describe classification of persons on the battlefield
Combatants-those who are lawfully entitled to engage in hostilities-members of the armed forces or regular militia or volunteer unis or guerrilla units-members of a non-occupied nation who takes up arms against an enemy
Noncombatants-those who may accompany combatants but do not perform in that capacity
Spies-those who act under false pretenses in IOT obatain info and communicate that info back to a hostile or potential hostile force
Terrorists, Insurgents, Saboteurs, Partisans-Not protected by law unless they meet criteria of a combatant
EPW’s-all persons detain on the battlefield, regardless of their status, are treated the same.
Describe protected places
Protected Places- buildings or structures that are not considered valid military targets, unless enemy is utilizing them
Describe reprucussions for violating the Law of Land Warfare
a slippery slope of people telling people of what happen then village is upset, media finds out and broadcasts how bad the Marines are, then this empowers enemy to attack, and Marine and Corps is tarnished
Define rules of engagement
Directives issued by competent military authority that delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered
Describe the purpose of rules of engagement
Political-ensure that national policy and objectives are reflected in the action of commandesrs in the field, particularly under circumstances in which communication with higher authority is not possible
Military-provides parameters within which the commander must operate IOT accomplish its assigned mission
Legal-provides restraints on commander’s actions consistent with both domestic and international law and may, under certain circumstances, impose greater restrictions on action than those required by the law
Weapons & the Law of War
Lasers-are only to be used for their intended use such as marking targets and terminal guidance of munitions.
Small arms munitions-40mm or below
Incendiaries-Napalm, Flame throwers, white phosphorus, used in a manner that does not cause suffering
Fragmentation-motars and hand gernades not used in illegal method
Landmines and Booby Traps-claymore mines, authorized suffering is minimalized
Riot control agents-weapons centered on demonstration control tear gas, pepper spray
non-lethal weapons- lawful need to be significantlly trained
NBC-Considered Treacherous means of warfare and are unauthorized
Tatics of the Law of War
Ruses-in which the actions injure the enemy as a result of legitimate deception.
Treachery means of injuring the enemy through his adherence to the law of war
assassination-authorized for military leadership not civilian heads of state
reprisal-is a like response to an illegal attack
Who approves ROE
Secetary of Defense and Commanders are given authority to request changes.
Deviations of SROE
Us Forces operating with multinational forces
Theater specific ROE
3 levels of self defense
National- act of defending from a hostile act or intent that is committed against the US, US forces, Citizens, commercial assets
Collective-act of defending other designated non US forces, personnel, of designated foreign nationals
Unit and individual-defense of other US military forces in vicinity
3 principles of self defense
Necessity-exists when a hostile act occurs or a force or terrorists exhibits hostile intent
De-escelate-when time and circumstances permit
Proportionality
Hostile force
Any civilian, paramilitary, or military force or terrorists, that has been declared hostile by appropriate US authority
