R 261922Z FEB 20
MARADMIN 118/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC JA//
SUBJ/GUIDANCE ON TRAINING THE FORCE ON THE LAW OF LAND WARFARE AND THE LAW OF NAVAL OPERATIONS//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/16JUL19//
REF/B/DOC/7AUG19//
REF/C/DOC/1AUG17//
NARR/REF A IS THE 38TH COMMANDANT’S PLANNING GUIDANCE. REF B IS THE COMMANDER’S HANDBOOK ON THE LAW OF LAND WARFARE. REF C IS THE COMMANDER’S HANDBOOK ON THE LAW OF NAVAL OPERATIONS. POC/J. A. RUTIGLIANO/GS-15/HQMC JA JAO/TEL:703-693-8406/
EMAIL: JOSEPH.RUTIGLIANO@USMC.MIL//
POC/D. L. BROWN/LTCOL/HQMC JA JAO/TEL:703-693-8408/EMAIL: DAVID.L.BROWN@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To provide guidance to Fleet Marine Force (FMF) commanders on training their forces on the law of landwarfare and the law of naval operations in future operating environments.
2.  Background.  As set forth in my planning guidance, in referenece A, the coming decade will be characterized by conflict, crisis, rapid change, and uncertainty.  Training must adapt in a manner consistent with the threat, anticipated operational challenges, and changes to the character of future war.  Training must focus on winning in combat in all potential environments, including at sea, from the sea, and from the land to the sea.
3.  When developing adaptive training in line with reference A, FMF commanders, in coordination with their staff judge advocates, should include appropriate legal training in their overall plans.  Realistic and practical legal training, focused principally on law of war principles during international armed conflict on land and at sea, will further prepare forces to win decisively and will sustain confidence in our civilian leaders and the American people, that Marines are the most well-disciplined force – send in the Marines.  Reference B and C are guidance tools available to commanders to educate their forces and from which to draw legal issues and scenarios to incorporate into training plans and events.
4.  The commander's handbook on the Law of Land Warfare reference B provides guidance on the doctrine and practice related to customary and treaty law applicable to the conduct of warfare on land and relationships between opposing belligerent states, in order to train and prepare for ground combat operations.
5.  The commander's handbook on the Law of Naval Operations reference C provides guidance on the international and domestic law that govern naval operations in peacetime and during armed conflict, in order to train and prepare for maritime operations.
6.  Reference B and C are not directive and do not supersede guidance issued by the chain of command.  They are not a substitute for legal advice provided by judge advocates.  Commanders should consult their staff judge advocate on operational matters.
7.  Reference B and C are available on the CAC-Enabled Marine Corps doctrine website at https//:homeport.usmc.mil/sites/mcdoctrine/sitespages/home.aspx.
8.  David H. Berger, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.//