Rules of Engagement
Circumstances and limitations under which operatives can initiate or continue combat engagements.
ROE determines how and when force may be used, based on contract scope, client directives, local laws, and operational context. All personnel are expected to apply measured force, maintain positive identification, and uphold ION’s standards of discipline, legality, and discretion.
Principles Of Engagement
- PID (Positive Identification): Never engage without visual or intel-confirmed identification of a valid threat.
- Necessity: Force is only used to remove a direct, immediate threat or fulfill a lawful mission objective.
- Proportionality: Force used must match the threat level. No overkill, no collateral disregard.
- Minimize Collateral Damage: Avoid civilian harm or property destruction unless explicitly authorized and unavoidable.
Challenge
A a predefined signal or phrase to identify unknown personnel and avoid friendly fire
Initiate
“Hold position! Identify yourself!”
OR
“This area is restricted, state your intent!”
Escalate
A warning shot is then fired either in front of, or above the target.
If the target does not comply, deadly force may be used.
Card Alpha
- PID TARGETS MAY BE ENGAGED 0N SIGHT.
- BUILDINGS & COMPOUNDS MAY BE USED AS FIGHTING POSITIONS.
- USE OF EXPLOSIVES TO ENGAGE STRUCTURES IS AUTHORISED.
- FIELDS AND OTHER TERRAIN MAY BE USED TO TRAVEL POINT TO POINT.
- WARNINGS AND CHALLENGES NOT NEEDED FOR ARMED TARGETS.
- WARNING SHOTS AT CIVILIANS WHO DO NOT HEED REPEATED WARNINGS.
- CIVILIANS MAY BE ENGAGED IF THEY CONTINUE TO PROVOKE FRIENDLY FORCES, AS THEY MAY BE FORWARD OBSERVERS ('DICKERS') OR BOMBERS.
- CAS MAY USE FULL ORDNANCE, UP TO 1000 POUNDS IN RURAL AREAS.
Card Bravo
- AUTHORISED TO ENGAGE PID TARGETS.
- BUILDINGS SUSPECTED OF HAVING INSURGENTS MAY BE ENTERED.
- LIMITED MOVEMENT THROUGH FIELDS, STICK TO ROADS.
- ELEMENTS CAN MOVE OFF-ROAD WHEN IN CONTACT.
- DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS IS AUTHORISED ONLY WHEN ASSAULT IS TOO COSTLY AND ONLY WHEN THE ABOVE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET.
- WARNING SHOTS AND CHALLENGES ARE NECESSARY PRIOR TO ENGAGEMENT.
- CAS IS LIMITED TO ROCKETS & GUNS IN RURAL AREAS.
Card Charlie
- ONLY FIRE AT PID TARGETS THAT ARE FIRING AT YOU AND WARNING SHOTS MAY BE USED.
- USE OF EXPLOSIVES AGAINST STRUCTURES IS PROHIBITED. ONLY HQ MAY AUTHORISE.
- BUILDINGS NOT TO BE ENTERED UNLESS FOR LONG-TERM OCCUPATION.
- ROADS MUST BE USED WHEN TRAVELLING AAND PATROL ROUTES KEPT TO.
- CHALLENGES AND WARNING SHOTS MUST BE USED. PRIOR TO ESCALATION.
- IF A PATROL COMES UNDER FIRE. WITHDRAW AND ONLY RETURN AIMED SHOTS IF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE MET. THERE MUST BE CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT. RANDOM FIRE IS PROHIBITED.
- SOFT HEADWEAR IS TO BE WORN UNLESS THE SITUATION DICTATES.
- WEAPONS ARE LOWERED.
- CAS IS LIMITED TO A SHOW OF FORCE UNLESS AUTHORISED BY THE HQ.