RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

(ROE)
IN PEACE SUPPORT
OPERATIONS
(PSO)

1
 AGENDA

• What are Rules of Engagement

(R.O.E.)?
• Purpose of R.O.E.
• Key Information
– Right to Self-Defense
– Hostile Act / Intent
– Necessity / Proportionality
– Escalation of Force
• How to Apply R.O.E.
 RESPONSIBILITY

Who is responsible to ensure each

soldier clearly understands the
mission’s ROE?

COMMANDERS AT
ALL LEVELS!

3
 WHAT ARE RULES OF
ENGAGEMENT?

• Written instructions on WHEN and HOW

force may be used
• Based on specific mission
• DESIGNED TO PROTECT

YOU YOUR
SOLDIERS
INNOCENT
LIVES
& LEGITIMACY OF THE FORCE!

• ALWAYS REMEMBER:
IN ANY SITUATION, THE USE OF
DEADLY FORCE IS A DECISIVE AND
IRREVERSIBLE STEP
 SELF
HARM TO
DEFENSE
CIVILIANS

PSO

A well conceived, articulated, understood

and implemented ROE will contribute to
Mission success and Force Protection

5
 ROE IN PSO

• ROE should be a term of reference

within the Mission’s Mandate

• If not clearly evident, Commanders

MUST press for clarity

• Once developed, ROE MUST be

disseminated to ALL levels within the
force

6
 PURPOSES

POLITICAL MILITARY LEGAL

ENSURE PROVIDE PROVIDE

NATIONAL PARAMETERS RESTRAINTS ON
POLICY FOR COMMANDERS
OBJECTIVES ARE COMMANDERS ACTION
REFLECTED IN TO OPERATE CONSISTENT
ACTION IN THE WITHIN. WITH DOMESTIC
FIELD. AND
INTERNATIONAL
LAW.

MAY IMPOSE
GREATER
RESTRICTIONS
THAN REQUIRED
BY LAW.

7
 CONSTRUCT OF ROE

Foundation for
ROE

LAW

ROE

MISSION POLICY

Ultimately, the ROE are the

Commander’s Rules to be executed by
ALL of his Soldiers 8
 ROE CONSIDERATIONS

STATUS OF AVAILABLE
FORCES TACTICS
AGREEMENTS AND
WEAPONS

INTERNATIONAL ROE
AND DOMESTIC IN
LAW MANDATE

PERCEIVED OPERATIONAL
THREAT CONCERNS

TACTICAL COMMANDER’S
CAPABILITIES INTENT

9
 RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE

• Customary International Law

• Reflected in Article 51 of the UN

Charter:
“ NOTHING IN THE PRESENT
CHARTER SHALL IMPAIR THE
INHERENT RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL OR
COLLECTIVE SELF-DEFENSE IF AN
ARMED ATTACK OCCURS AGAINST A
MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS...”

• Elements:
– Is Force Necessary?
– Is Force Proportional?

10
 PROPORTIONALITY

• Use the Minimum Amount of

Appropriate Force needed to
neutralize the Threat and/or Situation

• Response should be Proportional to

the Threat (e.g. don’t use weapons
with a Bursting Radius against
individual enemy using small arms)

• ALWAYS be conscious of Collateral

Damage and Civilian Casualties

11
 R.A.M.P.

• R: Return fire with aimed fire

• A: Anticipate attack (look for hostile
intent/act)
• M: Measure amount of force you use
(use minimum if possible and escalate if
needed)
• P: Protect with deadly force only life
 ROE CARDS
POCKET CARDS

ROE Cards can be useful when they:

•Are brief and clear

•Avoid confusing or interpretive

language

•Are tailored to the audience

13
ROE CARD -- SAMPLE

14
 ROE TRAINING

Training Points to Remember:

• ROE Cards are no substitute for

Systematic ROE Training
• Train ROE Regularly (Monthly,
Quarterly and/or Semi-annually)
• Disseminate and Retrain whenever
there is a change to the ROE
• Integrate ROE into ALL Training

15