Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Rules of Engagement cards ( Answered,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Rules of Engagement cards
Category: Reference, Education and News > Current Events
Asked by: jascha-ga
List Price: $3.00
Posted: 09 Apr 2003 13:47 PDT
Expires: 09 May 2003 13:47 PDT
Question ID: 188423
I'm looking for the full text of a Rules of Engagement (ROE) card used
by any unit of the US Armed Forces in the Gulf War. Prefereably Army.
One from the current Iraq war would be even better, though I don't
think they've been released.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Rules of Engagement cards
Answered By: tar_heel_v-ga on 09 Apr 2003 14:20 PDT
 
jascha..

Thanks for a very interesting question.  In researching your question,
I cam across several ROE Cards and have provided them here for a
comparison:

"Rules of Engagement
Joint Task Force for Somalia Relief Operations Ground Forces

Nothing in these rules of engagement limits your right to take
appropriate action to defend yourself and your unit.

1. You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks
or threats of attack.
2. Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a
hostile act.
3. When US forces are attacked by unarmed hostile elements, mobs,
and/or rioters, US forces should use the minimum force necessary under
the circumstances and proportional to the threat.
4. You may not seize the property of others to accomplish your
mission.
5. Detention of civilians is authorized for security reasons or in
self-defense.

Remember:
The United States is not at war. 
Treat all persons with dignity and respect. 
Use minimum force to carry out the mission. 
Always be prepared to act in self-defense."


"Rules of Engagement for
Operation Provide Comfort
(As Authorized by JCS [EUCOM Dir 55-47])

1. All military operations will be conducted in accordance with the
laws of war.
2. The use of armed force will be utilized as a measure of last resort
only.
3. Nothing in these rules negates or otherwise overrides a commander's
obligation to take all necessary and appropriate actions for his
unit's self-defense.
4. US forces will not fire unless fired upon unless there is clear
evidence of hostile intent.

Hostile Intent - The threat of imminent use of force by an Iraqi force
or other foreign force, terrorist group, or individuals against the
United States, US forces, US citizens, or Kurdish or other refugees
located above the 38th parallel or otherwise located within a US or
allied safe haven refugee area. When the on-scene commander
determines, based on convincing evidence, that hostile intent is
present, the right exists to use proportional force to deter or
neutralize the threat.

Hostile Act - Includes armed force directly to preclude or impede the
missions and/or duties of US or allied forces.

5. Response to hostile fire directly threatening US or allied care
shall be rapid and directed at the source of hostile fire using only
the force necessary to eliminate the threat. Other foreign forces as
(such as reconnaissance aircraft) that have shown an active
integration with the attacking force may be engaged. Use the minimum
amount of force necessary to control the situation.
6. You may fire into Iraqi territory in response to hostile fire. 
7. You may fire into another nation's territory in response to hostile
fire only if the cognizant government is unable or unwilling to stop
that force's hostile acts effectively or promptly.
8. Surface-to-air missiles will engage hostile aircraft flying north
of the 36th parallel.
9. Surface-to-air missiles will engage hostile aircraft south of the
36th parallel only when they demonstrate hostile intent or commit
hostile acts. Except in cases of self-defense, authorization for such
engagements rests with the designated air defense commander. Warning
bursts may be fired ahead of foreign aircraft to deter hostile acts.
10. In the event US forces are attacked or threatened by unarmed
hostile elements, mobs, or rioters, the responsibility for the
protection of US forces rests with the US commanding officer. The
on-scene commander will employ the following measures to overcome the
threat:

Warning to demonstrators. 

Show of force, including the use of riot control formations. 
Warning shots fired over the heads of hostile elements. 
Other reasonable use of force necessary under the circumstances and
proportional to the threat.
11. Use the following guidelines when applying these rules: 

Use of force only to protect lives. 
Use of minimum force necessary. 

Pursuit will not be taken to retaliate; however, immediate pursuit may
begin and continue for as long as there is an immediate threat to US
forces. In the absence of JCS approval, US forces should not pursue
any hostile force into another nation's territory.

If necessary and proportional, use all available weapons to deter,
neutralize, or destroy the threat as required."

General Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital Library
SAMPLE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/100-23/fm100_10.htm.
Google Cache: http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:B92hgJa90WEC:www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/100-23/fm100_10.htm+%22ROE+Cards%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Here is the text from the ROE Card for Desert Storm
"Desert Storm
Rules of Engagement

ALL ENEMY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VEHICLES TRANSPORTING THE ENEMY OR
THEIR SUPPLIES MAY BE ENGAGED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS:

A. Do not engage anyone who has surrendered, is out of battle due to
sickness or wounds, is shipwrecked, or is an aircrew member descending
by parachute from a disabled aircraft.
B. Avoid harming civilians unless necessary to save US lives. Do not
fire into civilian populated areas or buildings which are not defended
or being used for military purposes.
C. Hospitals, churches, shrines, schools, museums, national monuments,
and any other historical or cultural sites will not be engaged except
in self-defense.
D. Hospitals will be given special protection. Do not engage hospitals
unless the enemy uses the hospital to commit acts harmful to US
forces, and then only after giving a warning and allowing a reasonable
time to expire before engaging, if the tactical situation permits.
E. Booby traps may be used to protect friendly positions or to impede
the progress of enemy forces. They may not be used on civilian
personal property. They will be recovered or destroyed when the
military necessity for their use no longer exists.
F . Looting and the taking of war trophies are prohibited.
G. Avoid harming civilian property unless necessary to save US lives.
Do not attack traditional civilian objects, such as houses, unless
they are being used by the enemy for military purposes and
neutralization assists in mission accomplishment.
H. Treat all civilians and their property with respect and dignity.
Before using privately owned property, check to see if publicly owned
property can substitute. No requisitioning of civilian property,
including vehicles, without permission of a company level commander
and without giving a receipt. If an ordering officer can contract the
property, then do not requisition it.
I. Treat all prisoners humanely and with respect and dignity.
J. ROE Annex to the OPLAN provides more detail. Conflicts between this
card and the OPLAN should be resolved in favor of the OPLAN.


REMEMBER

1. FIGHT ONLY COMBATANTS.
2. ATTACK ONLY MILITARY TARGETS.
3. SPARE CIVILIAN PERSONS AND OBJECTS.
4 RESTRICT DESTRUCTION TO WHAT YOUR MISSION REQUIRES."
Ethical problems encountered in the field
http://website.lineone.net/~ccadd/dec_2000_mgt.htm

I was unable to locate ROE Card text for Operation Iraqi Freedom as, I
am in agreement with you, I don't think they have been released yet.

Thanks again for your question.  If you need any additional
clarifcation, please let me know prior to rating my answer.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
"ROE Cards"
"ROE Card"

Request for Answer Clarification by jascha-ga on 10 Apr 2003 07:52 PDT
Thanks THV, these are very interesting. The last one from Desert Storm
is exactly what I was looking for, except it's not clear from context
whether this was actually printed on a card. From what I understand,
the way it works is usually each unit has the task of simplifying the
current ROE for their own cards. So for the Desert Storm ROE, I'd like
to know if that is actually card text, and if so which unit's. Or,
another source from Desert Storm that's more clearly a card transcript
or image would be even better. Thanks, Jascha

Clarification of Answer by tar_heel_v-ga on 10 Apr 2003 14:31 PDT
Jascha..

This is the actual text of an ROE Card from an Army unit in Desert
Storm.  While traditionally, ROE Cards were issued on the brigade
level, during multinational, inter-branch (Army and Marine) campaigns
or Joint Task Force Operations, they sometimes come down from command
level (CentCom as an example). These cards mean business, as evidenced
by http://www.dpft.org/hernandez/coyne.htm which is Marine Corp report
on a shooting during a Joint Task Force mission on the US/Mexican
Border.

ROE Cards are prepared by JAG groups prior to deployment
[http://www.irwin.army.mil/bronco/PredeploymentChecklist.htm] and or
usually classified until well after the engagement and then an
unclassified version, such as the one I presented, is released.  You
can see a sample of an ROE Card from Somalia at
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/100-23-1/Appb.htm

Hope this helps!

-THV
Comments  
There are no comments at this time.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy