text: Chapter 7
  WHAT STIPULATIONS AN ARMISTICE SHOULD CONTAIN
  7-82. To avoid misunderstanding and to ensure it can accomplish its intended purposes, stipulations
  regarding the following matters should be incorporated into an armistice agreement:
  Date, Day, and Time of Commencement
  7-83. The commencement time and duration of an armistice should be fixed as precisely as possible to avoid
  misunderstanding and an unintentional resumption of hostilities. The specific date, day, and hour for
  suspension of hostilities should be stipulated. Effective times may differ in different time zones. Time should
  be specified in Zulu time (Greenwich Mean Time) and each time zone in which the armistice will apply.
  Armistice commencement time should be specified as beginning immediately upon completion of the terms
  of the agreement or at a future specified time. In the absence of agreement to the contrary, an armistice
  commences at the moment it is signed. Agreement to commence at a later time may be necessary, however,
  in order to ensure all forces receive the order prior to its entry into effect. Unless the duration is specific, as
  “from 0001 27 August to 2400 29 August,” the following is historic practice:
  * An armistice “for twenty-four hours” beginning, for example, at 1800 on 1 January concludes at
  1800 on 2 January.
  * An armistice for a number of days may begin at any time, but concludes at the same hour as the
  time it began after the elapse of the specified number of days (measured as twenty-four hour time
  periods). Thus, an armistice “for ten days, commencing at 0700 on 1 January” begins at the time
  specified and ends at 0700 on 11 January, unless otherwise specified (such as “for ten days,
  beginning at 0700 on 1 January, concluding at 2400 on 11 January”).
  * An armistice “from 1 January to 1 April,” without specified beginning and ending hours includes
  the first day but not the last—thus, it begins at 0001 on 1 January and concludes at 2400 on 31
  March.
  Duration
  7-84. The duration of an armistice may be for a definite or indefinite period of time, and with or without a
  period of notice prior to its expiration.
  Indefinite
  7-85. When duration of an armistice is indefinite, parties to the armistice may resume combat operations at
  any time, subject to prior notice to opposing forces in accordance with the terms of the agreement (HR art.
  36). An armistice of indefinite duration should include a provision specifying the agreed length of time
  between the delivery of this notice and the subsequent recommencement of combat operations.
  Recommencement of combat operations without prior notice (when notice is required by the armistice) in
  order to gain surprise is inconsistent with the intent of an armistice and is prohibited under LOAC.
  7-86. The requirement for notice prior to recommencement of combat operations does not, however,
  preclude a party to the conflict from reacting to serious violations of the armistice by opposing forces,
  including recommencing hostilities immediately (HR art. 40). When an armistice violation is not serious, and
  perhaps the result of a mistake by one side or the other, commands affected by an enemy’s breach remain
  subject to higher authority orders. Nevertheless, they retain the inherent right of self-defense.
  Definite
  7-87. A “definite” armistice is for an agreed specified, fixed period of time, such as “from 0900 GMT
  [Greenwich Mean Time][specify local time] on [date] to 0700 GMT [specify local time] on [date].” If the
  armistice is for a fixed period of time and no agreement has been made for prolonging it, hostilities may
  recommence without prior notice the moment the period of time has elapsed.