Warrior Skills Level 1 - Leader Development for Army Professionals

Performance Steps
3. Article III states "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."
Explanation. Members of the Armed Forces must understand that a captive
situation is an extension of the battlefield and the enemy will used a variety of
tactics to exploit prisoners of war (PWs) in disregard of the Geneva Convention
of 1949 Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (GPW). These tactics have
included physical and mental harassment, general mistreatment and torture,
medical neglect, and political indoctrination. The duty of a member of the Armed
Forces to continue resistance to enemy exploitation by all means available is not
lessened by the misfortune of capture.
4. Article IV states "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."
Explanation. Officers and noncommissioned officers will continue to carry out
their responsibilities and to exercise their authority in captivity. Informing on
fellow PWs is forbidden. PWs must especially avoid helping the enemy to
identify fellow PWs who have information that is of value to the enemy. These
PWs may be made to suffer coercive interrogation because of their knowledge.
5. Article V states "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."
Explanation. When questioned, a PW is required by the Geneva Conventions
and the Code of Conduct, E.O. 10631, and is permitted by Uniform Code of
Military Justice (UCMJ), to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth.
Under the Geneva Conventions the enemy has no right to try to force a PW to
provide any additional information. However, it is unrealistic to expect a PW to
remain confined for years reciting only name, rank, service number, and date of
birth. There are many PW camp situations in which certain types of conversation
with the enemy are permitted. For example, a PW is allowed, but not required by
the Code of Conduct, the UCMJ, or the Geneva Conventions to fill out a Geneva
Conventions "capture card", to write letters home, and to communicate with
captors on matters of health and welfare.
6. Article VI states "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."
STP 21-1-SMCT 2 May 2011 3-213