Why Members of the U.S. Armed Forces Adhere to The Law of Armed Conflict

If we let them, our enemies can rob us of moral judgment – judgment critical to understanding why we fight. Our military belongs to the American people and our troops fight for our values. They volunteer to do so because our values are worth defending. 

Indeed, our values are as powerful as our weapons. Men and women who wear the uniform of the United States set a moral example to the world – and they fight among people that need to be on our side if we want to win. 

Terrorists exercise merciless control over innocent people. By contrast, our troops adhere to the Law of Armed Conflict and follow the Army Field Manual. They live our values.

Ultimately, our ethical example can exact a cost on our enemies that is too great for them to bear. We must never grow callous.