Training the Strategic Corporal: Presenting Alternatives in Law of War Training

Current training of Soldiers on handling detainees is very proscriptive in terms of what actions may or may not be taken. Far less time is spent on how to deal with unlawful orders, although Soldiers are told to refuse to follow one should they receive it. Interpretations of the laws of war are not universally accepted. This thesis contrasts the viewpoints of three human rights organizations with that of the Department of Defense (DoD) to see if Army training is sufficient in this area. An analysis indicates that it is, but that key sections of international law relating to detainees are underdeveloped and require refined definitions. Additionally, the type and amount of annual training Soldiers receive in compliance with United States treaty obligations should be expanded while Soldiers are deployed in the current operating environment.