MCO 3300.4A — Marine Corps Law Of War Program

MCO 3300.4A governs the Marine Corps Law of War Program, including law of war training and reporting requirements.

Search MCO 3300.4A

  • Publication number: MCO 3300.4A
  • Title: MARINE CORPS LAW OF WAR PROGRAM
  • Date: 9 Jan 2014
  • Proponent: 03000 Operations & Readiness
  • Status: Current

View MCO 3300.4A on armypubs.army.mil


MCO 3300.4A establishes entry-level, follow-on, specialized, and detailed training, including testing and realistic mission-oriented scenarios. It defines Reportable Incidents and sets requirements for reporting, investigating, and preserving evidence of alleged law of war violations.

Topics covered

  • Law of war
  • International law
  • Realistic training exercises
  • Entry-level training
  • Follow-on training
  • Specialized training
  • Reportable Incidents
  • Rules of engagement

Questions and answers

Who must receive entry-level law of war training?

Entry-level law of war training, as set forth in enclosure (2), will be provided to every newly accessing Marine, whether officer or enlisted, at Officer Candidates School or the Marine Corps Recruit Depots. (paragraph 4)

Does law of war training include testing?

Training will be conducted as a formal part of the respective training curriculums and will include testing to ensure mastery of the material. (paragraph 4)

What are the core principles of the law of war?

The "Core Principles" of the law of war are the following: (1) Military Necessity. (2) Unnecessary Suffering. (3) Discrimination/Distinction. (4) Proportionality. (paragraph 1)

What basic rules apply to enemy prisoners of war and detainees?

Marines do not torture or kill enemy prisoners of war or detainees. Marines treat them humanely. (paragraph 1)

What is a Reportable Incident?

A Reportable Incident is a possible, suspected, or alleged violation of the law of war, for which there is credible information, or conduct during military operations other than war that would constitute a violation of the law of war if it occurred during an armed conflict. (paragraph 4)

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