Standards of Conduct Flashcards
Is that part of international law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities; Arises from civilized nations humanitarian desire to lessen the effects of conflicts, protects combatants and noncombatants
Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)
Tries to keep conflicts from degenerating into savagery and brutality, thereby helping to restore peace
LOAC
Requires each military department to design a program that ensures LOAC observance; prevents violations, ensures prompt reporting of violations
DoDD 2311.01E, DoD Law of War Program
Is embodied in both customary international law and treaties
LOAC
Five important LOAC principles
military necessity, distinction, proportionality, humanity, and chivalry
Permits the application of only that degree of regulated force required for the submission of the enemy with the least expenditure of life, time, and physical resources; always limited to military objectives
Military Necessity
must take into consideration the extent of civilian destruction and probable casualties; ensure civilian losses are proportionate to the military advantages sought
Proportionality
Also referred to as the principle of unnecessary suffering, prohibits the employment of any kind or degree of force not necessary for the purpose of war
Humanity
Demands a certain amount of fairness; common law of war forbids treacherous attempts to injure the enemy
Chivalry
Consist of 4 seperate international treaties that govern the treatment of wounded and sick forces, POWs, and civilians during war
Geneva Conventions of 1949
The Geneva Conventions distinguish between
combatants, noncombatants, and civilians
Civilians who take a direct part in hostilities without authority to do so are
unlawful combatants or unprivileged combatants
Defined in The Department of Defense Detainee Program as persons not entitled to combatant immunity, who engage in acts against the US in violation of the laws and customs of war during an armed conflict; Civilian who puts out UXO
Unlawful Combatants
Must play a critical role in determining the propriety of a target and the choice of weapon to be used under the particular circumstances known to the commander when planning an attack
Judge advocate, intelligence, and operations personnel
Provides specific protection to certain objects inluding medical units, transports of wounded or sick; religious, cultural building, monuments and POW camps
LOAC
Enemy military aircraft may be attacked and destroyed wherever found unless
they are in neutral airspace or territory
Are the commission of otherwise illegal acts that may be justified as a last resort to put an end to illegal acts committed first by the adversary.
Reprisal; authority to approve reprisals is held at the highest decision making level - the President
Includes guidance on handling a possible LOAC violation
AFI 51-104
Exist to ensure use of force in an operation occurs according to national policy goals, mission requirements, and the rule of law
ROE
These rules do not limit a commander’s inherent authority and obligation to use all necessary means available to take all appropriate actions in self-defense of the commanders unit and other US forces
Standing Rules of Engagement (SROE)
Outlines basic responsibilities and obligations of members of the US armed forces; developed for POW’s; 6 articles;
The Code of Conduct written by Eisenhower
Three levels of the Code of Conduct training
Level A - Entry; Level B - moderate risk; Level C - significant risk
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
Article 1
I will never surrender of my own free will
Article 2
If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available
Article 3
If I become a POW I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no info
Article 4
When questioned I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth.
Article 5
I will never forget that I am an American…I will trust in my God and in the USA
Article 6
Provide guidance to AF personnel on standards of conduct
DoDD 5500.7, Standards of Conduct and DoD 5500.7-R, The Joint Ethics Regulation
Ethics are standards of conduct based on
Values; they are core beliefs, such as duty, honor, and integrity
Primary ethical values include;
Honesty, Integrity, Loyalty, Accountability, Fairness, Caring, Respect, Promise-keeping, Responsible Citizenship, Pursuit of Excellence
Professional relationships become matters of official concern when they adversly affect the AF by eroding morale, good order, discipline, respect for authority, unit cohesion, or mission accomplishment
AFI 36-2909, Professional and Unprofessional Relationships
As defined by the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), fraternization is a personal relationship
between an officer and an elisted member that violates the customary bounds of acceptable behavior
Fraternization is specifically prohibited in the MCM and is punishable under
Article 134 of the UCMJ
All members are responsible for respecting authority and maintaining professional relationships
The senior member bears primary responsibility for maintaining professional relationships
AFI 36-2906, Personal Financial Responsibility
Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP)
The prohibitions of bribery and graft do not apply to
the payment of witness fees authorized by law or certain travel and subsistence expenses
Civilian DoD employees may hold two distinctly different federal government positions and receive salaries for both if
The duties of each are performed
Requires all AF military and civilian personnel to report gifts from foreign governments if it exceeds a US retail value of
$335; to the AF Personnel centers promotions, evaluations and recognition division within 60 days
Failure to report gifts in excess of $335 can result in
a penalty not to exceed the retail value plus $5,000.
Contributions or presents for retirement, seperation, etc cannot exceed
$300; the maximum contribution one DoD employee may solicit from another is $10
While on active duty members are prohibited from engaging in certain political activities as outlined in
DoDD 1344.10, Political activities by members of the armed forces and AFI 51-902
Members may make monetary contributions to a political organization but cannot
make campaign contributions to a partisan political candidate
To make establishments off limits
AFJI 31-213, Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Boards and Off-Installation Liaison and Operations
Members who violate prohibited activites are subject to
Article 92 of the UCMJ
When making public statement use
AFI 35-101, Public affairs policies and procedures
