AFDP 3-60, page 12

Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-60, Targeting 9 SPECIFIC TARGETING RESTRICTIONS Targeting restrictions under LoW prohibit intentional attacks on civilians, civilian populations, and protected entities such as the wounded, sick, prisoners of war, medical units, religious and cultural sites, and civilian objects unless they are recharacterized as military objectives due to their use or function. The Geneva Conventions mandate clear markings for protected sites, and commanders must balance military advantage with minimizing collateral damage, including environmental harm, by implementing strategies to mitigate adverse effects during and after conflict.16 17 Regarding the protection of civilian objects specifically, civilian objects may not be intentionally targeted for attack. However, civilian objects can be recharacterized as military objectives if, by their nature, location, purpose, or use, they make an effective contribution to military action and their total or partial destruction, capture, or neutralization offer a concrete and definite military advantage. Use also refers to the object’s current function, which is one of the primary target characteristics within both joint and USAF targeting doctrine. “Dual-use” facilities and objects serve both a military and civilian function. Though from a legal perspective, such objects cannot be both civilian objects and military objectives. That is, if an object is considered a military objective per the LoW two-part test, it is not a civilian object.18 Dual-use targets may also require a higher level of approval authority due to their potential impact on the civilian population. RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Rules of Engagement (ROE). ROE are a commander’s tool to regulate the use of armed force in military operations. ROE provide a framework that encompasses national policy goals, mission requirements, and the law. ROE are directive in nature and must be issued by competent military authorities. Essentially, ROE are rules for a particular operation that govern the use of force to reflect the will of the civilian and military leadership. ROE constrain the actions of US military forces to ensure their actions are consistent with domestic and international law, national policy, and objectives. Although ROE are not law, they are authoritative restrictions issued at the appropriate level of command to control the use of force. ROE may be more restrictive than LoW for a given situation, but they cannot be more permissive than allowed under LoW; therefore, compliance with ROE should guarantee compliance with LoW. Standing ROE (SROE). ROE may be found in the SROE, a CCDR’s theater-specific ROE, and ROE issued specifically for an operation. SROE are contained in a classified Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI). The SROE provide implementation guidance on the inherent right of self-defense and the application of force for mission accomplishment. The SROE also provides a framework for the development and implementation of ROE across the competition. The important point to remember is that the SROE are not tailored to specific military operations. They provide guidance in the absence of operation-specific ROE and do not include targeting restrictions or 16 See DoD LoW Manual, for additional information. 17 See Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, for additional information. 18 For additional information on two-part test, see DoD LoW Manual.