What document defines how US military personnel should act if captured during war?

The document that specifically outlines how U.S. military personnel should behave if captured during war is known as the Code of Conduct. This code provides fundamental guidelines and principles that service members are expected to follow in situations of captivity, including maintaining faith in their country and avoiding acts of collaboration with the enemy. It emphasizes the importance of military personnel remaining loyal to their country and fellow service members, even in the face of adversity.

While the Geneva Conventions set international legal standards for humanitarian treatment during war, including the treatment of prisoners of war, the Code of Conduct is more focused on individual behavior and decision-making by U.S. military personnel when they find themselves in captivity. The Military Code of Conduct can refer more broadly to the expected ethical behavior of service members in various situations, not specifically addressing captivity. Rules of Engagement, on the other hand, primarily govern when and how military force can be used in combat, rather than guiding behavior during captivity.