MCTP 11-10C — The Commander's Handbook On The Law Of Land Warfare (ch 1)

MCTP 11-10C governs the law of land warfare and the conduct of disciplined military operations under the law of armed conflict.

Search MCTP 11-10C

  • Publication number: MCTP 11-10C
  • Title: THE COMMANDER'S HANDBOOK ON THE LAW OF LAND WARFARE (CH 1)
  • Date: 20 Sep 2019
  • Proponent: 03000 Operations & Readiness
  • Status: Current

View MCTP 11-10C on armypubs.army.mil


MCTP 11-10C covers LOAC principles, hostilities, civilians, detainees, prisoners of war, the wounded and sick, occupation, belligerent relations, and war crimes. It requires feasible precautions, humane treatment, protection of civilians, and reporting of LOAC violations.

Applies to: This field manual provides a general description of the law of land warfare for Soldiers and Marines, delineated as statements ofdoctrine and practice, to guide the land forces in conducting disciplined military operations in accordance with the rule oflaw.

Topics covered

  • Law of armed conflict principles
  • Conduct of hostilities
  • Protection of civilians
  • Prisoners of war and detainees
  • Wounded and sick
  • Occupation
  • Non-hostile relations between belligerents
  • War crimes enforcement

Questions and answers

What are the two principal sources of the law of armed conflict?

LOAC is derived from two principal sources:  Treaties (or Conventions), such as the Hague and Geneva Conventions. (See Appendix for a nonexhaustive list of treaties binding on the United States, and other treaties not binding on the United States.)  Customary International Law. (paragraph 1-95)

Are the means and methods of warfare the same under LOAC?

The terms “means of warfare” and “methods of warfare” are not synonymous. (paragraph 1-2)

What precautions must parties conducting attacks take to protect civilians?

First, they must take feasible precautions to reduce the risk of harm to protected persons and objects. (paragraph 1-2)

How many letters and cards may a prisoner of war send monthly?

If the detaining power deems it necessary to limit such correspondence, it may not restrict any POW to sending fewer than two letters and four cards monthly, conforming as closely as possible to the models annexed to the GPW, not including capture cards sent to satisfy the notification referenced in the previous paragraph and certain other correspondence the GPW authorizes without counting against any prisoner correspondence quota (see DOD Law of War Manual, 9.20.2.1). (paragraph 3-93)

Can a commander refuse to receive a parlementaire?

A commander to whom a flag of truce is sent is not in all circumstances obligated to receive it (HR art. 33). (paragraph 7-20)

Ask Reggie.Bot a question about MCTP 11-10C