Update Regarding Marine Corps Law of War Program
This MARADMIN updates the Marine Corps Law of War Program following the issuance of a new Department of Defense Directive (DODD 2311.01E) that supersedes previous guidance. The update requires all Marines, Navy personnel, civilians, and contractors serving with Marine Corps units to comply with the Law of War during all armed conflicts and military operations, and to promptly report all "reportable incidents" as newly defined. Commanders must ensure personnel receive required Law of War training consistent with the updated policy.
Issued: August 16, 2006
1. THIS MSG IS APPLICABLE TO THE TOTAL FORCE, AS WELL AS U.S. NAVY, CIVILIAN, AND CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL. ON 9 MAY 2006, DEPSECDEF ISSUED REF B, WHICH CANCELS REF C. REF B CONTAINS SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES FROM REF C. AS A RESULT, BOTH REF D AND REF E REQUIRE REVISION. REF E WILL NOT BE REVISED UNTIL REF D REVISION IS COMPLETE. IN THE INTERIM, REF E REMAINS IN EFFECT TO THE EXTENT IT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH REF B. AMPLIFYING DIRECTION APPEARS BELOW. 2. DOD POLICY. REF B REQUIRES U.S. ARMED FORCES TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW OF WAR DURING ALL ARMED CONFLICTS, HOWEVER SUCH CONFLICTS ARE CHARACTERIZED, AND IN ALL OTHER MILITARY OPERATIONS. THIS IS A CHANGE FROM REF C. 3. REPORTING. PER REF B AND REF E, ALL MARINES, U.S. NAVY, AND CIVILIAN AND CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SERVING WITH OR ACCOMPANYING MARINE CORPS UNITS ON OPERATIONS MUST PROMPTLY REPORT ALL REPORTABLE INCIDENTS AS DEFINED IN REF B PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF ENCL 6 OF REF E. REF B CHANGES THE DEFINITION OF A "REPORTABLE INCIDENT," TO INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT THAT ANY ALLEGATION OF A LAW OF WAR VIOLATION BE SUPPORTED BY CREDIBLE INFORMATION. 4. EXECUTION. A. JUDGE ADVOCATE DIVISION (JAD), HQMC, WILL COORDINATE ITS EFFORTS IN REVISING REF E WITH DC PP&O, WHO IS THE PRIMARY STAFF SPONSOR OF THE MARINE CORPS LAW OF WAR PROGRAM. B. CG MCCDC, IN COORDINATION WITH JAD, WILL ENSURE ALL LAW OF WAR TRAINING MATERIALS MCCDC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDER REF E, ARE CONSISTENT WITH REF B. JAD WILL ENSURE ALL LAW OF WAR TRAINING MATERIALS IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDER REF E, ARE CONSISTENT WITH REF B. MARFOR SJAS MUST ENSURE ALL LAW OF WAR TRAINING PROVIDED BY THEIR SUPPORTING ELEMENTS IS CONSISTENT WITH REF B. C. COMMANDERS MUST ENSURE PERSONNEL RECEIVE LAW OF WAR TRAINING AS REQUIRED BY REF B AND REF E. 5. EXPIRATION DATE: INDEFINITE.