text: Chapter 3
  OTHER MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER CORPS
  3-20. Militia or other volunteer corps members belonging to a State party to a conflict, including organized
  resistance movements, whether operating in or outside their own territory are entitled to POW status upon
  capture provided the group is commanded by a person responsible for his or her subordinates, wears or has
  a fixed distinctive sign or insignia recognizable at a distance, carries arms openly, and complies with LOAC
  (GPW art. 4A(2)).
  Commanded by a Person Responsible for His or Her Subordinates
  3-21. This condition is satisfied if the group has a commander with effective authority over the armed group.
  This requirement helps ensure that the armed group has sufficient discipline and organization to conduct its
  operations in accordance with the law of war. The authority of the commander over his or her subordinates
  gives rise to a corresponding duty to ensure that the group’s members conduct their operations in accordance
  with LOAC (see DOD Law of War Manual, 4.6.3).
  Wears or Has a Fixed Distinctive Sign
  3-22. The second condition, having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance, is satisfied by the
  wearing of a military uniform, but less than the complete uniform will suffice. The essence of this requirement
  is that members of the armed group are distinguishable from the civilian population. A helmet or headdress
  that would make the silhouette of the individual readily distinguishable from that of an ordinary civilian
  would satisfy this requirement. It is also desirable that the individual militia members or volunteer corps wear
  a badge or brassard permanently affixed to their clothing. It is not necessary to inform the enemy of the
  distinctive sign, although it may be desirable to do so in order to avoid misunderstanding.
  Carry Arms Openly
  3-23. This requirement is not satisfied if the group carries weapons concealed on the approach of the enemy.
  Armed groups are required to carry their arms openly in order to qualify for prisoner of war status.
  Comply With the Law of Armed Conflict
  3-24. This condition is fulfilled if the group observes the laws and customs of war in its operations,
  notwithstanding that unauthorized violations by individual members concerned may occur. Evidence that an
  armed group enforced LOAC (such as by promulgating instructions regarding LOAC requirements and
  punishing violations by members) would help establish that an armed group meets this condition.
  MILITARY PERSONNEL OF UNRECOGNIZED POWERS
  3-25. During an international armed conflict, members of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a
  government or an authority not recognized by the detaining power are entitled to POW status. This provision
  covers members of a regular armed force who remain loyal to their government after its own territory has
  been occupied (GPW art. 4A(3)), but who continue to fight as part of an international armed conflict, such
  as the Free French Forces in World War II, as well as other circumstances in which the regular armed forces
  have “right authority” but the detaining power does not recognize the government or authority of the opposing
  party.
  CIVILIANS SUPPORTING MILITARY OPERATIONS
  3-26. Civilians who accompany the armed force with the authorization of the armed force are entitled to
  POW status (GPW, art. 4A(4)). The United States authorizes civilians, including DOD emergency-essential
  civilians, civilian contractors, and accredited journalists, to accompany U.S. armed forces on the battlefield.
  They are entitled to POW status if captured. DOD issues these individuals identity cards to confirm their
  status. Although each State Party is required to issue an identification card to its personnel who are liable to
  become a POW (GPW art. 17), possession of the identification card is not a prerequisite for POW status. It
  does represent, however, a form of confirmation of entitlement to such status.