III. THE SOLDIER'S RULES
A.
Fight only enemy combatants.
B.
Do not harm enemies who surrender--disarm them and turn them over to your superior.
C.
Do not kill or torture EPW.
D.
Collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
E.
Do not attack medical personnel, facilities, or equipment.
F.
Destroy no more than the mission requires.
G.
Treat all civilians humanely.
H.
Do not steal--respect private property and possessions.
I.
Do your best to prevent violations of the law of war--report all violations to your superior.
IV. RULES REGARDING CAPTURED SOLDIERS
A.
Handling Surrender of Enemy Soldiers.
1.
Be cautious, follow unit procedures in allowing enemy soldiers to approach your position and
surrender.
2.
Waiving white flag may not mean surrender; it may simply mean that the enemy wants a brief
cease-fire so they can safely meet with us. Enemy may seek such a meeting to arrange surrender but
meeting may also be sought for other reasons (to pass a message from their commander to our
headquarters or to arrange removal of wounded from the battlefield).
3.
Enemy soldiers must be allowed to surrender if they wish to do so. Any order not to accept
surrender is unlawful.
B.
Treatment of Captured Soldiers on Battlefield.
1.
Again, follow established unit procedures for the handling of EPWs (recall the "5 Ss"
process).
2.
Recognize that soldiers have a duty to treat EPWs humanely. The willful killing, torture, or
other inhumane treatment of an EPW is a very serious LOW violation--a "grave breach." Other LOW
violations are referred to as "simple breaches."
3.
Note it is also forbidden to take EPWs' personal property except to safeguard it pending their
release or movement elsewhere.
4.
In addition, soldiers have certain affirmative duties to protect and otherwise care for EPWs in
their custody. Because this is often difficult in combat, must move EPWs to rear as soon as possible.
5.
Certain captured enemy personnel are not technically EPWs but are rather referred to as
"retained personnel." Such retained personnel include medical personnel and chaplains.
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