"Rules of engagement (ROE) are the internal rules or directives afforded military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied."
The guidelines that dictate when and how military personnel can use force during operations.
Types of Rules of Engagement: A comprehensive understanding of the various types of rules of engagement that exist in military law, including defensive, offensive, and restrictive rules of engagement.
Purpose of Rules of Engagement: A discussion of the fundamental purpose of rules of engagement in military operations, including the role of such rules in promoting national security interests and maintaining operational effectiveness.
Legal Framework for Rules of Engagement: Examination of the legal basis for rules of engagement, including relevant international treaties, national laws, and military policies.
Commanders’ Responsibility for Rules of Engagement: Analysis of the critical role of commanders in designing, approving, and implementing rules of engagement in military operations.
Decision-making Process for Rules of Engagement: A discussion of the various stages involved in formulating and implementing rules of engagement, including the engagement cycle, the decision-making process, and the escalation hierarchy.
Principle of Proportionality: Understanding of the principle of proportionality and its application to rules of engagement, including the need for military operations to use force that is proportional to the military objectives.
Principle of Discrimination: An examination of the principle of discrimination, which requires military operations to differentiate between civilians and combatants, as well as between military and civilian objects.
Operational Environment and Rules of Engagement: An exploration of how the operational environment, including the type of conflict, terrain, and weather, impacts the formulation and implementation of rules of engagement.
Training and Education for Rules of Engagement: Understanding of the critical role of training and education in preparing military personnel to comply with rules of engagement.
Monitoring, Review, and Accountability: A discussion of how the performance of military personnel is monitored and evaluated, including mechanisms for oversight and accountability to ensure compliance with rules of engagement.
Hostile Engagement: These are the rules encompassing situations where a military can use lethal or non-lethal force against an enemy.
Non-Hostile Engagement: Rules governing military action undertaken in vulnerable, perilous or uncertain scenarios where a soldier may have to take action lawfully to ensure his/her safety.
Rules for Peace Operations: These rules cover measures that troops can take to bring order, security, and other humanitarian interventions in a region without necessarily using violence.
Self-Defense Rules: These are the rules that allow soldiers to use violence to defend themselves when faced with a hostile threat.
Fire Control Orders: These are the rules that govern when and where military troops can fire their weapons to engage the enemy.
Target Identification Procedures: These are the rules for identifying and reporting targets, ensuring that only valid targets are attacked.
Joint Force Engagement: These are collaborative rules where forces from different nations collaborate to undertake a mission.
Civilian Protection Rules: These are the rules that forbid troops from attacking civilians and uninvolved individuals.
Use of Force Continuum: These are the rules that govern the gradual use of force. The rules depend on the level of danger and threats that soldiers face.
Rules of Engagement for Naval Forces: These are the rules that govern how naval forces can conduct coastal operations, including fishing or blockade missions.
"They provide authorization for and/or limits on, among other things, the use of force and the employment of certain specific capabilities."
"Rules of engagement do not normally dictate how a result is to be achieved."
"Rules of engagement will indicate what measures may be unacceptable."
"While ROE is used in both domestic and international operations by some militaries..."
"The use of force by the U.S. military in such situations is governed by Rules for the Use of Force (RUF)."
"Yes, an abbreviated description of the rules of engagement may be issued to all personnel."
"A 'ROE card' is a document that provides the soldier with a summary of the ROE regulating the use of force for a particular mission."