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AFH 1 · Chapter 19 · Section 19.13

Detention of U.S. Military Personnel in Operations Other than War

Part of Standards of Conduct · 1 section · ~545 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Detention in Operations Other Than War

U.S. military personnel isolated from U.S. control must do everything in their power to follow DoD and USAF policy and survive with honor.

Key Difference
Basic Geneva Convention protections available to POWs may NOT apply during operations other than war. Personnel detained may be subject to the domestic criminal laws of the detaining nation.

Use the Code of Conduct as a moral guide to uphold DoD policy ideals and survive with honor.

Why Captors Exploit

Captors often attempt to exploit both the individual and the U.S. Government. Exploitation forms include:

  • Hostage confessions to crimes never committed
  • International news media exploitation
  • Substantial ransom demands

Responsibility — Survive with Honor

To best survive: - Maintain faith in country, fellow detainees/captives, and themselves - Organize under the senior military member present (include civilians if present) - Prevent captor exploitation — or limit it if prevention isn't possible

Strategic Insight
If detainees convince their captors of their low propaganda value, captors may seek a quick end to the situation.

Military Bearing and Courtesy

Maintain military bearing regardless of type of detention or brutality.

  • Remain calm and courteous
  • Project personal dignity
Why
Discourteous behavior seldom serves long-term interests and often results in unnecessary punishment that jeopardizes survival and complicates release.

Detention by Unfriendly Governments

Detainees are subject to the laws of the detaining government.

Must: - Maintain military bearing - Avoid aggressive, combative, or illegal behavior - Ask immediately and continually to see U.S. embassy personnel or an allied/neutral government representative

Rule
Personnel lost or isolated in an unfriendly foreign country during operations other than war will NOT act as combatants during evasion attempts.

There is no Geneva Conventions protection — the civil laws of that country apply.

What Detainees Should Provide

  • Name, rank, service number, date of birth
  • Innocent circumstances leading to detention

Limit further discussions to: - Health and welfare matters - Conditions of fellow detainees - Going home

Critical Rules

Important
Avoid signing documents or making statements. If forced, provide as little information as possible.
Important
Do NOT refuse release — unless doing so requires compromising honor or damaging the U.S. Government or its allies.
Important
Escape is NOT recommended by DoD policy except under life-threatening circumstances. Attempted or actual escape from government confinement likely violates the unfriendly government's criminal law — and may subject the escapee to increased criminal prosecution.

Terrorist Hostage Situations

Generally the least predictable and structured form of operations.

Reality
Hostages play an important role in determining their own fate — terrorists rarely expect rewards for good treatment or releasing victims unharmed.

DoD policy for terrorist hostage situations:

  • Establish rapport — make yourself a person in the terrorist's mind, not a stereotypical symbol of a country they may hate
  • Stay away from inflammatory topics: cause, politics, religion
  • Listening can be vitally important when survival is at stake
  • Do NOT argue, patronize, or debate issues with captors

During Rescue Attempts

  • Take cover
  • Remain stationary when practicable
  • Do NOT attempt to help rescuers
  • Hostages may experience rough handling from rescuers until terrorists are separated from hostages

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