Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 2311.01E
May 9, 2006
Incorporating Change 1, November 15, 2010
Certified Current as of February 22, 2011
GC, DoD
SUBJECT: DoD Law of War Program
References: (a) DoD Directive 5100.77, "DoD Law of War Program," December 9, 1998
(hereby canceled)
(b) DoD Directive 5101.1, “DoD Executive Agent,” September 3, 2002
(c) Articles 1, 47, 50, Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the
Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field,
August 12, 1949
(d) Articles 1, 48, 51, Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of
the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at Sea,
August 12, 1949
(e) through (r), see Enclosure 1
1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive:
1.1. Reissues Reference (a) to update the policies and responsibilities ensuring DoD
compliance with the law of war obligations of the United States.
1.2. Clarifies the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Army as the DoD Executive Agent
for Investigation and Reporting of Reportable Incidents against U.S. personnel in accordance
with Reference (b).
2. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE
This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all
