text: Chapter 2
  Escaping Prisoners of War
  Escaping POWs may wear enemy military uniforms to facilitate their escape from a POW camp to
  return to friendly lines, but must not engage in combat while in the enemy’s uniform (see DOD Law of War
  Manual, 5.23.1.4).
  Personnel Evading Capture
  Military personnel, such as aircrew downed behind enemy lines, may use enemy military uniforms
  or civilian clothing as permissible acts of deception to evade capture. Evading personnel must not engage in
  combat while in the enemy’s uniform. Those who are not escaping POWs who are using enemy uniforms to
  evade capture or to escape, however, may be liable to treatment as spies or saboteurs if caught behind enemy
  lines.
  Use of Enemy Codes, Passwords, and Countersigns
  The prohibition on misuse of enemy flags, emblems, insignia, and uniforms refers only to concrete
  visual objects rather than enemy codes, passwords, and countersigns. Enemy codes, passwords, and
  countersigns may be used as a ruse to aid military operations. Use of these measures is permissible because
  enemy military forces are expected to take measures to guard against the use of their codes, passwords, and
  countersigns by their adversaries.
  Certain Signs and Symbols Specially Protected Against Improper Use
  Certain signs, symbols, or signals reflect a status that receives special protection under LOAC and
  thus these signs may not be improperly used. They may not be used: (1) while engaging in attacks; (2) in
  order to shield, favor, or protect one’s own military operations; or (3) to impede enemy military operations.
  Thus, their use may be improper even when that use does not involve killing or wounding, and they may not
  be used to facilitate espionage (except for signs, emblems, or uniforms of a neutral or non-belligerent State).
  Paragraphs 2-165 through 2-170 describe the types of signs subject to this broader rule against improper use.
  Signs, Emblems, or Uniforms of a Neutral or Non-Belligerent State
  During international armed conflict, the use of signs, emblems, or uniforms of a neutral or other
  nation not a party to the conflict is prohibited. LOAC recognizes exceptions, however, concerning espionage
  and warfare at sea.
  Distinctive Emblems of the Geneva Convention
  The distinctive emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Crystal (as well as the Red Lion
  and Sun, which is currently not in use) are symbols that identify military medical and religious personnel,
  medical units, and medical transports, or certain other categories of persons engaged in humanitarian work
  as personnel and objects entitled to special protection. These emblems may not be used except to identify
  these protected persons and objects. Any unauthorized use is prohibited (see DOD Law of War Manual,
  7.15.4).
  Markings for POW or Civilian Internee Camps
  Only POW camps under the GPW should be marked using internationally agreed-upon symbols,
  such as the PW or PG designation (GPW art. 23). Only civilian internee camps under the GC should be
  marked with an IC designation (GC art. 83).
  Markings for Hospital, Safety, or Neutralized Zones
  Markings that distinguish hospital, safety, or neutralized zones established under the 1949 Geneva
  Conventions may not be used for other purposes.