Noncombatants: What are the Rules of Engagement?
Abstract
The Army's current ethical challenge is the mistreatment of enemy prisoners of war and noncombatants during combat operations or during confinement. Events over the past year demonstrate significant violations by American Soldiers regarding the rights and treatment of prisoners of war and noncombatants. The Army takes great strides to instill the seven Army values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage and the rules on the proper treatment of prisoners of war and noncombatants in each and every Soldier beginning in basic training. The Army values serve as a cornerstone for the actions of all Soldiers in both peacetime and war. Soldiers often justify the mistreatment by claiming it was necessary to obtain critical information on national security or threats to troops in combat. However, the Army must find the answer in regards to the human factor of restraint from retaliation when facing the enemy in a noncombatant status after combat operations in which a fellow Soldier dies or is injured. The Army must also identify a way to restrain the human drive when obtaining what some may believe to be life or death information from a noncombatant in a prisoner of war or confined status.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 2005
- Accession Number
- AD1135721
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Seaman
Organizations
- United States Army Sergeants Major Academy