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Rules of engagement (ROE) are the internal rules or directives affordedmilitary forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which theuse of force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied.[1]
They provide authorization for and/or limits on, among other things, the use of force and the employment of certain specific capabilities. In somenations, articulated ROE have the status of guidance to military forces, while in other nations, ROE constitute lawful command. Rules of engagement do not normally dictate how a result is to be achieved, but will indicate what measures may be unacceptable.[2]
While ROE is used in both domestic and international operations by some militaries, ROE is not used for domestic operations in theUnited States. Instead, the use of force by theU.S. military in such situations is governed by Rules for the Use of Force (RUF).
An abbreviated description of the rules of engagement may be issued to all personnel. Commonly referred to as a "ROE card", this document provides thesoldier with a summary of the ROE regulating the use of force for a particular mission.[3]
While many countries have their own rules of engagement documents, many others do not. There are two primary international rules of engagement manuals that are internationally available:NATOROE Manual MC 362-1 (restricted toNATO andPartnership for Peace countries); and theSan Remo Rules of Engagement Handbook, which is freely available to all on the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) website. Created for theIIHL by Commander Alan Cole, Major Phillip Drew, Captain Rob McLaughlin and Professor Dennis Mandsager, theSan Remo ROE Handbook has been translated from itsEnglish original intoFrench,Chinese,Arabic,Spanish,Hungarian,Russian,Bosnian, andThai and several other languages.[4] Several countries, such as the UK, have used theSan Remo Manual as a model for creating their own ROE systems.[5]
TheInternational Institute of Humanitarian Law inSan Remo, Italy conducts rules of engagement training course at least once per year, usually in September. Taught by some of the world's foremost authorities on ROE, the course attracts students from around the globe. Similar training by the San Remo ROE drafting team is conducted for theUnited Nations,[6] staff colleges and other organizations as requested.
