What are the guidelines the US military personal are to follow when captured?

Question

This is in reference to the captured britsh navy personel. Would there be trouble for a US soldier if they wrote a confession or did tv propaganda?

Answer 1

This is the Official Code of Conduct-

Article I;
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.



Art. 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.



Art. 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.



Art. IV;
Should I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor 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.



Art. V;
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 statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.




Art. VI;
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 in the United States of America.

However, I doubt anyone in such a situation would be Prosecuted upon return, unless full blown collaboration against fellow POW's was witnessed.

If it met the standards of the UCMJ's Articles; 99,104,105 that might be another story

Answer 2

Contrary to the opinions of some posters, there is nothing wrong with the question, nor is there any problem with answering it. The full military Code of Conduct with discussion and exceptions is posted on the Internet. I don't believe the Iranians or al Quaeda are lurking around YA to get amateur opinion of what they can readily get on line.

Before you judge the British Marine too harshly, keep in mind you saw only what the captors wanted you to see. Was there a gun pointed at her or one of her comrades off camera? Were there threats? Was she following the orders of her superior?

Although the US military Code of Conduct (CoC) says prisoners should give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth, there is an understanding that NO ONE can indefinitely resist a determined interrogator using drugs, torture, or other psychological means.

Wait until they are released and we learn the real story.

Answer 3

There are six articles to the code of conduct as it refers to fighting a traditional enemy.

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) 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.

5) 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 statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

6) 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 in the United States of America.

We know because of torture you may not be able to follow them, but you must try your best. If there was torture, rape, or force to do it to save the life of one of the others it would be forgiven.

Answer 4

The rules are slightly different for when you are at war with the country or not. The basic rule is "give the big four, nothing more."

The "big four" are name, age, rank, and service number. You are not to say anything about your unit, the conditions leading up to your capture, sign or make any statements that could incriminate you, etc. Basically don't give anything except for the big four.

Answer 5

A captured US soldier wouldn't have to worry about confessions, they would would be taunted and systematically killed in a brutal way. Did you forget that 5 US soldiers got kidnapped in Iraq and all of them were found tortured and killed?

Answer 6

This question should really remain unanswered, as this is a critical security issue for the military, especially at the time of war. In the meantime, just go with what the movies say...name rank and serial number.

Answer 7

go to wikipedia and type in "United States Military Code of Conduct". It is accurate and will answer any questions you have.

Depends on what happened to them prior to giving the "confession".

Answer 8

look up the code of conduct.....and yes there would be trouble if an american wrote a confession or prop...resist to your utmost ability...

Answer 9

Name, age, rank, and service number there is so many more.

Answer 10

I agree with a previous poster that this question should remain unanswered.