Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide, Second Edition Second Edition | Page 6

Protection of Civilians Military Reference Guide
Preface
The Protection of Civilians (PoC) Military Reference Guide is a revision of the 2013 version
published by the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. This version
incorporates a modified framework and task set to be compatible with the “Understand-Shape-
Protect” approach in recent U.S. military doctrine on PoC. The revision adds annexes on UN and
NATO approaches to PoC and provides suggestions for adapting the guide to these contexts. Other
new annexes provide suggestions for conducting training on PoC to include an extensive annex
with training scenarios. This version also has general updating of the entire content; for example,
the discussion of civilian risks in Chapter 2 has been completely revised.
The PoC Military Reference Guide is primarily intended for military commanders and staffs
who must consider PoC during armed conflict, multidimensional peace operations, or other
military operations, particularly when PoC is an operational or strategic objective. It is designed
as a supplement to existing doctrine and other relevant guidance so that military forces can meet
their obligations to protect civilians. The reference guide may also be used as a textbook for PoC
training.
Other potential audiences are international organizations (such as the United Nations, African
Union, and NATO), national militaries, and training centers. While this document is not meant to
usurp processes that these institutions are undertaking to create their own internal guidance, the
PoC Military Reference Guide can support doctrine development and training in global military
institutions. Users are encouraged to adapt it to their needs as appropriate.
Although the PoC Military Reference Guide focuses primarily on the military aspects of PoC,
it recognizes that any military force will likely be one element of a larger multidimensional
international mission that includes civilian and police components as well. Accordingly, the PoC
Military Reference Guide may also be a useful resource for nonmilitary PoC actors.
Readers should bear in mind that the PoC Military Reference Guide cannot serve as a perfect
template of solutions for PoC training, planning, and operations. Rather, it is a general approach
that should be tailored for particular circumstances.
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