| Military law |
The law governing the armed forces of a country. It covers, among other things, military justice system, laws of war, and military personnel's rights and obligations. Example: A military court-martial's jurisdiction under military law is limited to military personnel who have violated laws that military personnel are subject to, such as the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). |
| Ethics |
The branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles, values, and standards of conduct. It is concerned with the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, and justice. Example: Military ethics dictate that military personnel should always act in accordance with the laws of war, even in high-stress situations, and never engage in acts that violate the Geneva Conventions or other international humanitarian laws. |
| Honor |
A code of behavior that embodies integrity, honesty, respect, and loyalty. It is a foundational concept in the military and is central to the military's ethos of service, duty, and sacrifice. Example: Military personnel are expected to act with honor both on and off the battlefield, demonstrating integrity in their interactions with others, respect for the laws and regulations that govern their conduct, and loyalty to their country and their fellow service members. |
| Duty |
A legal or moral obligation to act or serve, often in the context of military service. It includes the responsibility to obey orders and carry out assigned tasks, as well as the obligation to protect and defend others. Example: Military personnel have a duty to uphold the laws and regulations that govern their conduct, to protect their country and its citizens from harm, and to serve with honor and respect for their fellow service members. |
| Rule of law |
The principle that all individuals, including those in authority, are subject to and accountable to the laws that are enacted and publicly disclosed. The rule of law also implies that these laws are enforced fairly and impartially. Example: The military's adherence to the rule of law ensures that all military personnel, regardless of rank or position, are accountable for their actions and that justice is served in accordance with the laws and regulations that govern the conduct of military personnel. |
| Geneva Conventions |
A series of four international treaties that establish the standards of international law for humanitarian treatment in war. They are designed to protect noncombatants, prisoners of war, and wounded and sick soldiers, and to regulate the conduct of military operations. Example: Military personnel must abide by the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit acts of violence against enemy soldiers who have surrendered or are otherwise unable to defend themselves, and require humane treatment for prisoners of war and civilian populations. Failure to comply with these conventions can result in prosecution and punishment under military law. |
| Code of conduct |
A set of rules and regulations governing the behavior of military personnel, often focused on issues such as loyalty, honor, and respect for others. A code of conduct provides guidelines for individual behavior and establishes a standard of professional conduct. Example: The U.S. Military Code of Conduct outlines the ethical and moral principles that govern U.S. military personnel's behavior and calls on them to uphold the laws of war, to resist giving any information that may harm their fellow service members, and to accept responsibility for their actions. |
| Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) |
The legal code that governs the conduct of military personnel in the United States. It includes provisions relating to military justice, offenses that are specific to the military context, and the rights and obligations of military personnel. Example: The UCMJ provides for a system of military justice, including military courts-martial, which are authorized to impose punishment for military-specific offenses, such as desertion, absence without leave, and failure to obey orders. It also provides for the rights of military personnel, including the right to legal counsel and an independent military judge. |
| Jus ad bellum |
The criteria that must be met for a government or nation to lawfully initiate war. These criteria include just cause, right intention, proportionality of the response, and reasonable chance of success. Example: The principle of jus ad bellum requires a government to have a just cause, such as self-defense or protecting innocent civilians, before engaging in war. It also requires that the decision to go to war is made with a right intention and that the response is proportional to the threat that is being addressed. |
| Jus in bello |
The criteria that must be met for a nation or government to engage in war lawfully. These criteria include discrimination, proportionality, and military necessity. Example: The principle of jus in bello requires military personnel to distinguish between combatants and noncombatants, to avoid the use of excessive force, and to limit harm to civilians as much as possible. It also requires that military actions be proportionate to the objective sought, and that military necessity be the guiding principle for all military actions. |
| Hague Conventions |
A series of international treaties that established the laws of war, particularly with respect to the use of weapons and the rights of noncombatants. Example: The Hague Conventions established international law with respect to the use of chemical and biological weapons, outlawed the use of certain types of weapons, such as exploding bullets, and established protections for noncombatants, such as the sick, the wounded, and prisoners of war. |
| War crime |
An act that is prohibited by international law and is committed during a war or armed conflict. These acts include murder, torture, genocide, and other crimes against humanity, as well as violations of the laws of war, such as the use of chemical or biological weapons. Example: A war crime is any act that violates the principles of the Geneva Conventions, such as intentionally killing unarmed civilians or failing to provide medical care to wounded enemy soldiers. War crimes can be prosecuted under international law and can result in severe punishments, including imprisonment and death. |
| Nuremberg Trials |
A series of military tribunals held by the Allied forces after World War II to prosecute prominent political and military leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Example: The Nuremberg Trials established the principle that individuals are responsible for their actions, even if those actions were taken at the direction of a superior, and that certain acts, such as genocide, are crimes against humanity that are not subject to the laws of individual nations but instead are governed by international law. |
| International law |
A set of rules and principles that govern relations between states and other international actors. International law covers issues such as treaties, international human rights, and the laws of war. Example: International law sets out the legal framework for military operations, including the use of force, the treatment of prisoners of war, and the protection of civilians. It also establishes principles of humanitarian law, such as the principles set out in the Geneva Conventions, that are designed to limit the impact of armed conflict on noncombatants. |
| Conscientious objector |
A person who objects to military service on moral or religious grounds. In some countries, including the United States, conscientious objectors may be excused from military service but may be required to perform alternative service or work in noncombatant roles. Example: A conscientious objector may refuse to serve in the military on the grounds that doing so would violate their religious beliefs or moral principles. The military may grant a conscientious objector status but require them to perform other service, such as working in a hospital or other noncombatant role. |
| Asymmetric warfare |
A type of warfare in which two groups or nations have unequal military capabilities, such as when a weaker insurgent group faces a stronger national army. Asymmetric warfare often involves the use of unconventional tactics and strategies, such as guerrilla warfare or terrorism. Example: In Afghanistan, Taliban fighters have used asymmetric warfare tactics, such as improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings, to target U.S. and coalition forces. The goal of these tactics is to undermine the more powerful military force and demonstrate the inadequacy of traditional military strategies. |
| Rules of engagement |
The guidelines that govern when and how military personnel may use force in a particular situation. Rules of engagement are designed to ensure that military personnel are able to respond to threats effectively while avoiding harm to noncombatants and minimizing the risk to their own safety. Example: Rules of engagement in Afghanistan may require U.S. military personnel to attempt to identify each person that they encounter, to use only the minimum force necessary to protect themselves or others from harm, and to avoid actions that could result in civilian harm. |
| Miasma theory |
A largely discredited theory from the 19th century that suggested that odors from decomposing organic matter, rather than bacteria or viruses, were responsible for the transmission of diseases. Example: Some early military medical treatments were based on the miasma theory, including the regular application of perfumes and the use of charcoal and other air purifiers in military hospitals. However, once the germ theory of disease became widely accepted, these treatments were largely abandoned in favor of more effective medical interventions. |
| Court-martial |
A military court that tries military personnel accused of violating military law. Court-martials may be convened to try offenses ranging from minor infractions to serious crimes, and may impose punishments including fines, reduction in rank, and imprisonment. Example: A military court-martial might be convened to try a service member who was accused of failing to obey orders, deserting their unit, or committing a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The court may include military personnel and may impose penalties ranging from minor fines to imprisonment or dishonorable discharge. |
