text: Introduction
  DOD policy requires “[m]embers of the DoD Components comply with the law of war during all armed
  conflicts, however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military operations” (Department of
  Defense Directive [DODD] 2311.01E).
  This publication addresses topics that are also addressed in the DOD Law of War Manual. In the event of a
  conflict or discrepancy regarding the legal standards addressed in this publication and the DOD Law of War
  Manual, the latter takes precedence. In many cases, any apparent conflict or discrepancy may be due to this
  publication’s efforts to provide guidance to Commanders by describing legal concepts more generally rather
  than exhaustively as found the DOD Law of War Manual. In certain instances, this publication will set out a
  current policy or practice for Army and Marine forces rather than a legal requirement.
  The terms “law of war” and “law of armed conflict” are used interchangeably in practice, but this publication
  uses the term LOAC. Although the term international humanitarian law (IHL) is favored by academics and
  some others in the international community, it is the Army and Marine Corps’ practice not to use this term
  as it could confuse practitioners as to the body of law to apply. LOAC is that part of international law that
  regulates the conduct of hostilities and the protection of war victims.
  This publication summarizes the law and practice under LOAC for legal and operational practitioners of the
  Army and Marine Corps. It draws from treaties to which the United States is a party, customary international
  law, the DOD Law of War Manual, and other references describing long-standing U.S. military practice. It
  has precedent in the first comprehensive publication of the U.S. military regulation of LOAC, prepared by
  Professor Francis Lieber, and approved by President Lincoln in April 1863 in General Orders Number 100.
  The basic LOAC rules and principles applicable to Soldiers and Marines can be summarized by the following
  basic Soldier’s Rules (see AR 350-1)/Marine Corps Basic Principles (see MCO 3300.4A), developed by
  Army and Marine judge advocates to train Soldiers and Marines to conform to LOAC standards applicable
  in all military operations:
  * Fight only enemy combatants.
  * Do not harm enemies who surrender. Disarm the enemy and turn them over to your superiors.
  * Do not kill or torture enemy prisoners of war or other detainees.
  * Collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
  * Do not attack medical personnel, facilities, or equipment.
  * Destroy no more than the mission requires.
  * Treat all civilians humanely.
  * Do not steal. Respect private property and possessions.
  * Do your best to prevent violations of the law of war.
  * Report all violations of the law of war to your superiors.
  Just as the Soldier’s Rules/Basic Principles provide general and sometimes more narrow guidelines than
  might be allowed for as a matter of law in specific situations, this publication summarizes the law and practice
  under LOAC for legal and operational practitioners of the Army and Marine Corps. It provides more detailed
  guidance than what is provided for in the Soldier’s Rules/Basic Principles, but it does not go into the
  extensive detail of the DOD Law of War Manual. This publication is not a definitive explanation of all LOAC
  issues, but it should assist in developing other doctrine, tactical practices and training that will be understood
  by individual Soldiers and Marines and units and lead to increased compliance with LOAC.
  As a statement of Army and Marine Corps doctrine, this publication should not be interpreted as a source of
  United States’ government views on customary international law, and, unless explicitly noted, the practices
  described in the publication should not be understood to have been undertaken out of a sense of legal
  obligation for the purposes of assessing customary international law.