What document outlines how US military personnel should act if captured during wartime?

The document that outlines how U.S. military personnel should act if captured during wartime is known as The Code of Conduct. This important set of guidelines provides specific instructions for service members on their behavior in captivity, highlighting expectations for maintaining loyalty, resisting exploitation, and providing only the information required by the captors.

The Code of Conduct is pivotal in ensuring that military personnel understand their rights and obligations during capture, emphasizing the importance of moral and ethical decision-making even in the face of adversity. It reinforces key principles such as unwavering loyalty to the United States and the importance of self-discipline and self-respect while dealing with captors. This code forms a crucial part of military training to prepare personnel for the pressures and challenges they may face if they find themselves in captivity.

In contrast, the Uniform Code of Military Justice primarily deals with the legal framework for military law, defining offenses and associated penalties, rather than specific actions to take during captivity. The Geneva Convention relates to the broader legal standards for the treatment of prisoners of war, while the Military Personnel Policy covers various aspects of service members’ rights, roles, and responsibilities but does not focus specifically on conduct during captivity.