Before Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast deploys for the mission, the Corps has to go through various tests and exercises to ensure that every element of mission preparation is properly buttoned up. As a part of this preparation phase, the Legal Advisers Group form the HQ MNC NE organized one-day seminar to talk about practical applications of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in different operations.
The conference was an opportunity for discussing policy and procedures of using the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in different circumstances as well as gaining the invaluable experience from those briefers who participated in recent missions. Among invited guests the seminar was graced with the presence of: RDir U. Althaus, legal adviser of Fleet Command from Glücksburg, ORR S. Pech, legal adviser of Bundeswehr Operations Command from Potsdam, Maj G. Brysz from Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), LtCol M. Dudek and W. Kotula from the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division.
The Rules of Engagement (ROE) is a set of rules for the military commander explaining how the forces can be used to carry out assigned missions. In other words, Rules of Engagement (ROE) show a practical way of implementing national and international legal regulations into military planning and operations. Particularly, they define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which forces can be used.
The Rules of Engagement (ROE) are used for all kinds of military operations, both armed conflict and Peace Support Operations (PSO). Nevertheless, the Seminar’s briefers mainly concentrated on the complexity of ISAF and PSO operations, as those operations are in the Corps’ range of interest. Especially that, during complex Peace Support Operations (PSO) the troops can face unexpected escalation of hostile actions, which may have even greater strategic consequences for entire mission. It is clearly visible in Afghanistan where, the military situation is extremely dynamic, therefore it is highly important for the Corps to make proper recognition of current mission status and prepare its staff for implementing the updated ROE – said Maj G. Brysz from Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (ROE)
Definition: "Directive to military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, degree, and manner in which force, or actions which might be … provocative, may or may not, be applied." (MC 362)
