| Xavier University Army ROTC
Study Guide
Code of Conduct
As a member of the armed forces of the United
States, you are protecting your nation. It is your duty to
oppose all enemies of the United States in combat or, if a
captive, in a prisoners of war compound. Your behavior is
guided by the Code of Conduct, which has evolved from the
heroic lives, experiences and deeds of Americans from Revolutionary
War to the Southeast Asian Conflict.
Your obligations as a U.S. citizen and a member
of the armed forces result from the traditional values that
underlie the American experience as a nation. These values
are best expressed in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights,
which you have sworn to uphold and defend. You would have
these obligations-to your country, your service and unit and
your fellow Americans-even if the Code of Conduct had never
been formulated as a high standard of general behavior.
Just as you have a responsibility to your country
under the Code of Conduct, the United States government has
an equal responsibility always to keep faith with you and
stand by you as you fight for your country. If you are unfortunate
enough to become a prisoner of war, you may rest assured that
your government will care for your dependents and will never
forget you. Furthermore, the government will use every practical
means to contact, support and gain release for you and for
all other prisoners of war. To live up to the code, you must
know not only its words but the ideas and principles behind
those words.
The Code of Conduct is an ethical guide. Its
six articles deal with your chief concerns as an American
in combat; these concerns become critical when you must evade
capture, resist while a prisoner or escape from the enemy.
Experiences of captured Americans reveal that
to survive captivity honorably would demand from you great
courage, deep dedication and high motivation. To sustain these
personal values throughout captivity requires that you understand
and believe strongly in our free and democratic institutions,
love your country, trust in the justice of our cause, keep
faithful and loyal to your fellow prisoners and hold firmly
to your religious and moral beliefs in time of trial.
Your courage, dedication and motivation supported
by understanding, trust and fidelity will help you endure
the terrors of captivity, prevail over your captors and return
to your family, home and nation with honor and pride.
Code of Conduct I
I am an American fighting in the forces
that guard my country and our way of life, I am prepared to
give my life in their defense.
All men and women in the armed forces have the
duty at all times and under all circumstances to oppose the
enemies of the United States and support its national interests.
In training or in combat, alone or with others, while evading
capture or enduring captivity, this duty belongs to each American
defending our nation regardless of circumstances.
Code of Conduct II
I will never surrender of my own free will.
If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command
while they still have the means to resist.
As an individual, a member of the armed forces
may never voluntarily surrender. When isolated and no longer
able to inflict casualties on the enemy, the American soldier
has an obligation to evade capture and rejoin friendly forces.
Only when evasion by an individual is impossible
and further fighting would lead only to death with no significant
loss to the enemy should one consider surrender. With all
reasonable means of resistance exhausted and with certain
death the only alternative, capture does not simply dishonor.
The responsibility and authority of a commander
never extends to the surrender of a command to the enemy while
the command has the power to fight and evade. When isolated,
cut off or surrounded, a unit must continue to fight until
relieved or able to rejoin friendly forces through continued
efforts to break out or evade the enemy.
Code of Conduct III
If I am captured I will continue to resist
by all means available. I will make every effort to escape
and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor
special favors from the enemy.
The duty of a member of the armed forces to
use all means available to resist the enemy is not lessened
by the misfortune of captivity. A POW is still legally bound
by the Uniform Code of Military Justice and ethically guided
by the Code of Conduct. Under provisions of the Geneva Convention,
a prisoner of war is also subject to certain rules imposed
by the captor nation. When repatriated, a prisoner of war
will not be condemned for having obeyed reasonable captor
rules, such as sanitation regulations.
The duty of a member of the armed forces to
continue to resist does not mean a prisoner should engage
in unreasonable harassment as a form of resistance. Retaliation
by captors to the detriment of that prisoner and other prisoners
is frequently the primary reason of such harassment.
The Geneva Convention recognizes that a POW
may have the duty to attempt escape. In fact, the Geneva Convention
prohibits a captor nation from executing a POW simply for
attempting escape. Under the authority of the senior official
(often called the senior ranking officer, or SRO), a POW must
be prepared to escape whenever the opportunity presents itself.
In a POW compound, the senior POW must consider the welfare
of those remaining behind after an escape. However, as a matter
of conscious determination, a POW must plan to escape, try
to escape and assist other to escape.
Contrary to the spirit of the Geneva Convention,
enemies engaged by U.S. forces since 1950 have regarded the
POW compound as an extension of the battlefield. In doing
so, they have used a variety of tactics and pressures, including
physical and mental mistreatment, torture and medical neglect,
to exploit POWs for propaganda purposes, to obtain military
information or to undermine POW organization, communication
and resistance.
Such enemies have attempted to lure American
POWs into accepting special favors or privileges in exchange
for statements, acts or information. Unless it is essential
to the life or welfare of that person or another prisoner
of war or to the success of efforts to resist or escape a
POW must neither seek nor accept special favors or privileges.
Our such privileges is called parole. Parole is a promise
by a prisoner of war to a captor to fulfill certain conditions
such as agreeing not to escape nor to fight again once released
in return for such favors as relief from physical bondage
improved food and living conditions or repatriation ahead
of the sick, injured or longer-held prisoners. An American
POW will never sign nor otherwise accept parole.
Code of Conduct IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep
faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give them no information
or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.
If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the
lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them
up in every way.
Informing or any other action to the detriment
of a fellow prisoner is despicable and is expressly forbidden.
Prisoners of war must avoid helping the enemy identify fellow
prisoners who may have knowledge of particular value to the
enemy and who may, therefore, be made to suffer coercive interrogation.
Strong leadership and communication are essential
to discipline. Discipline is the key to camp organization,
resistance and even survival. Personal hygiene, camp sanitation
and care of sick and wounded are imperative. Officers and
noncommissioned officers of the United States must continue
to carry out their responsibilities and exercise their authority
in captivity. The responsibility and accountability may not
be evaded.
If the senior is incapacitated or is otherwise
unable to act, the next senior person will assume command.
Camp leaders should make every effort to inform all POWs of
the chain of command and try to represent them in dealing
with enemy authorities. The responsibility of subordinates
to obey the lawful orders of ranking American POWs should
make all efforts to adhere to the principles of Article IV.
As with other provisions of this code, common
sense and the conditions of captivity will affect the way
in which the senior person and the other POWs organize to
carry out their responsibilities. What is important is that
everyone support and work within the POW organization.
Code of Conduct V
Should I become a prisoner of war, I am
required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth.
I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of
my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal
to my country and its allies.
When questioned, a prisoner of war is required
by the Geneva Convention to give name, rank, service number
(social Security Number) and date of birth. The prisoner should
make every effort to avoid giving the captor any additional
information. The prisoner may communicate with captors on
matters of health and welfare and additionally may write letters
home and fill out a Geneva Convention "capture card."
It is a violation of the Geneva Convention to place a prisoner
under physical or mental duress, torture or any other form
of coercion in an effort to secure information.
If under such intense coercion, a POW discloses
unauthorized information, makes an unauthorized statement
or performs an unauthorized act, that prisoner’s peace
of mind and survival require a quick recovery of courage,
dedication and motivation to resist a new each subsequent
coercion.
Actions every POW should resist include making
oral or written confessions/apologies, answering questionnaires,
providing personal histories, creating propaganda recordings,
broadcasting appeals to other prisoners of war, avoiding any
other material readily usable for propaganda purposes, appealing
for surrender or parole, furnishing self-criticisms and communicating
on behalf of the enemy to the detriment of the United States,
its allies, its armed forces or other POWs.
Every POW should also recognize that any confession
signed or a statement made may be used by the enemy as a false
evidence that the person is a "war criminal" rather
than a POW. Several countries have made reservations to the
Geneva Convention in which they assert that a "war criminal"
conviction deprives the convicted individual of prisoner-of-war
status, removes that person from protection under the Geneva
Convention and revokes all rights to repatriation until a
prison sentence is served.
Recent experiences of American prisoners of
war have proved that, although enemy interrogation sessions
may be harsh and cruel, one can resist brutal mistreatment
when the will to resist remains intact.
The best way for a prisoner to keep faith with
country, fellow prisoners and self is to provide the enemy
with as little information as possible.
Code of Conduct VI
I will never forget that I am an American
fighting for my freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated
to the principles which made my country free. I will trust
in my God and in the United States of America.
A member of the armed forces remains responsible
for personal actions at all times.
A member of the armed forces who is captured
has a continuing obligation to resist and to remain loyal
to country, service, unit and fellow prisoners.
Upon repatriation, POWs can expect their actions
to be reviewed, both as to circumstances of capture and conduct
during detention. The purpose of such review is to recognize
meritorious performance as well as to investigate possible
misconduct. Each review will be conducted with due regard
for the rights of the individual and consideration for the
conditions of captivity. Captivity of itself is not a condition
of culpability.
Members of the armed forces should remember
that they and their dependents will be taken care of by the
appropriate service and that pay and allowances, eligibility
and procedures for promotion and benefits for dependents continue
while the service member is detained. Service members should
assure that their personal affairs and family matters (such
as pay, powers of attorney, current will and provisions for
family maintenance and education) are properly and currently
arranged. Failure to so arrange matters can create a serious
sense of guilt for a POW and place unnecessary hardship on
family members.
The life of a prisoner of war is hard. Each
person in this stressful situation must always sustain hope
and resist enemy indoctrination. Prisoners of war standing
firm and united against the enemy will support and inspire
one another in surviving their ordeal and in prevailing over
misfortune with honor.
The Code of Conduct
References: Field
Manual 21-75, Training Circular 27-12,
Army Regulation 350-30
1. What Army Regulation covers the Code of Conduct?
Army Regulation 350-30.
2. The Code of Conduct applies to whom?
All members of the United States Forces, at
all times.
3. How many articles are in the Code of Conduct?
Six.
4. What is the first article of the Code of
Conduct?
I am an American fighting in the forces which
guard my country and our way of life, I am prepared to give
my life in their defense.
5. What is the second article of the Code of
Conduct?
I will never surrender of my own free will.
If in command, I will never surrender my soldiers while they
still have the means to resist.
6. What is the third article of the Code of
Conduct?
If I am captured, I will continue to resist
by all means available. I will make every effort to escape
and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor
special favors from the enemy.
7. What is the fourth article of the Code of
Conduct?
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith
with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take
part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.
If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the
lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them
up in every way.
8. What is the fifth article of the Code of
Conduct?
When questioned, should I become a prisoner
of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number,
and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions
to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written
statement disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful
to their cause.
9. What is the sixth article of the Code of
Conduct?
I will never forget that I am an American fighting
for freedom, responsible for my actions and dedicated to the
principles which made my country free. I will trust in my
God and the United States of America.
10. When was the Code of Conduct put into effect?
17 August 1955, revised in 1987.
11. When does a soldier surrender?
Never, under his own free will.
12. When captured, what should you do?
- Continue to resist
- Try to escape and aid other to escape
- Not accept parole or other favors
13. What favors can you expect from the enemy?
None.
14. Can you ever accept command of POWs in a
camp?
Yes, if you are the senior NCO or officer. Chaplains
and medical personnel will normally not take command.
15. What (who) is the detaining power?
The forces that hold the POW.
16. What is the Geneva Convention of prisoners
of war?
The Geneva Convention is a treaty agreed upon
by one or more nations for the protection and the conduct
of the prisoner of war and consists of twenty-five sections.
17. What is meant by "protecting power"
and what are their duties?
Protecting powers are delegates appointed by
the convention powers for the protection of the Geneva Convention.
Their duties are to safeguard the interest of the parties
involved in the conflict.
18. The law of war is derived from two principle
sources. What are they?
- Lawmaking treaties or conventions
- Customs (written or customary laws)
19. What is the greatest factor in making the
convention work?
Effectiveness depends on whether the governments
concerned ace willing to abide by terms of the convention.
20. What information must one give if captured?
Name, rank, service number, and date of birth.
21. What items may a POW retain?
Identity papers, grade insignia and unit marks,
items of protection (mask and helmet), and personal items.
22. In your own words, what does the Code of
Conduct mean to you?
Example: It is a written law (Executive Order)
which governs my actions and conduct during the time of war
should I become captured or a prisoner of war.
23. What is the main purpose of the Geneva Convention?
In general, rules provide that prisoners of
war must be treated humanely. Specifically forbidden are violence
to life and person, cruel treatment and torture, outrages
on personal dignity in particular, humiliating degrading treatment.
24. Can a person worship as he pleases under
the Geneva Conference Rules?
Yes.
25. What are prisoners searched for?
Hidden weapons and documents of intelligence
value.
26. Prisoners should be separated into what
groups?
Officers, NCOs, enlisted personnel, civilians,
and females.
27. The individual can be sure that while he
is a POW the U.S. Government will do what?
Make every possible effort to secure his release.
28. According to the Geneva Convention, the
detaining power can require POWs to perform labor in what
situations or conditions?
It is neither military in character or purpose
and provided they are not endangered in combat and no ultra
hazardous activities of a non-military nature.
29. It is important to properly handle POWs
and speed them to the rear, why?
They may possess valuable intelligence information
which interrogators can obtain from them.
30. What does silencing POWs do?
Prevents the POW from planning resistance or
escape and tends to keep them under control.
31. A good way to remember what you should do
if you capture a prisoner is to use the 5-S’s Rule.
What is the 5-S’s?
- Search
- Segregate
- Silence
- Speed
- Safeguard
32. Prisoners are segregated into groups for
what reason?
Leaders cannot organize escape and cannot remind
their soldiers to be security minded.
33. Safeguarding POWs means what?
Make sure that nobody is allowed to abuse them,
make sure they are properly guarded to prevent escape, and
make sure they arrive safely at the POW processing point.
34. What is the legal authority supporting the
Code of Conduct?
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
35. What is the means to resist considered exhausted?
When further fighting would lead to the soldiers
death with no significant loss to the enemy.
36. Are captured Chaplains or medical personnel
considered POW’s?
No. They are considered "detained personnel"
under the Geneva Convention. |
