The US Armed Forces' Code of Conduct (CoC) provides standards of behaviour for service members, particularly in combat and captivity. Its six articles address loyalty, voluntary surrender, resistance to enemy exploitation, responsibility towards fellow prisoners and protection of information. Within SERE, it is an American framework for conduct.
The six articles and their meaning
| No. | Core principle |
|---|---|
| I | Commitment to the United States and its way of life, with readiness to give one's life in their defence. |
| II | No voluntary surrender to the enemy. A commander must not surrender subordinate forces while they still have the means to resist. |
| III | Continue resistance in captivity, make efforts to escape and help others escape. Accept neither parole agreements nor special favours from the enemy. |
| IV | Remain loyal to fellow prisoners and do not harm them through information or actions. Take command if senior; otherwise obey the lawful orders of appointed leaders. |
| V | When questioned, give name, rank, service number and date of birth. Evade further questions to the best of one's ability and make no oral or written statements harmful to the United States or its allies. |
| VI | Retain American identity, personal responsibility and commitment to the principles of US freedom. The article explicitly expresses trust in God and the United States. |
Voluntary surrender and capture
Article II rejects voluntary surrender. The US interpretation distinguishes this from capture when there are no means to resist, evasion is impossible and continued fighting would be futile. Capture forced by overwhelming strength and the futility of further resistance is not regarded as dishonourable.
After capture, Articles III to V address other threats: captors may seek information, exploit prisoners for propaganda or undermine their cohesion. Resistance in this context means opposing that exploitation while continuing to accept responsibility for oneself and fellow prisoners.
Responsibility within the prisoner group
Article IV protects solidarity between prisoners. It includes effective leadership, mutual support and care for the sick and wounded. Information about comrades can help captors identify people with particularly valuable knowledge, so protecting such information concerns more than the individual alone.
The welfare of prisoners left behind must be considered when an escape opportunity arises. Special advantages at the expense of fellow prisoners conflict with the code. A parole agreement may, for example, involve a promise not to escape or not to bear arms again in exchange for concessions.
Protecting information during questioning
The four details in Article V do not amount to a complete ban on conversation. The US interpretation permits certain communications, including completing a capture card, writing home and discussing health and welfare. The senior prisoner also represents the group on matters of care, camp administration and complaints.
The protection is directed particularly against military information gathering and statements or appearances that captors could exploit. The interpretation also recognises that physical and psychological coercion can force a degree of compliance. After coerced compliance, resistance to further exploitation is to be resumed.
Role in SERE and national scope
The code forms part of American preparation for isolation and captivity. SERE training connects these principles with avoiding capture, retaining the ability to act during hostile detention and contributing to one's return. The framework also applies to US service members in other forms of hostile detention, including hostage situations.
The code is a moral standard rather than a separate catalogue of criminal offences. Conduct may also violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and lead to disciplinary action, but a departure from the code is not automatically a criminal offence in itself.