The first rule of warfare, at its most fundamental and brutal core, is Kill or Be Killed. This principle underscores the ultimate stakes in armed conflict: self-preservation and the survival of one's unit or nation.
Understanding the Primary Rule: Survival
At the heart of any conflict, the immediate and primal directive is to eliminate the threat posed by the adversary to ensure one's own existence. This rule is not a formal legal statute but an inherent, inescapable reality of combat. It dictates that in a life-or-death situation, the primary objective is to survive by neutralizing the enemy.
The harshness of "Kill or Be Killed" highlights the existential nature of warfare, where the immediate goal is to outlast and overcome the opposition. This primary drive for survival forms the bedrock upon which all other considerations in warfare are built.
How Other Principles Emerge from "Kill or Be Killed"
While "Kill or Be Killed" is the overarching primary rule, other essential principles and rules of engagement arise as functions of this imperative. These secondary rules aim to structure, rationalize, and, in some cases, limit the absolute nature of the primary rule, often to maximize effectiveness or maintain some semblance of order and ethics amidst chaos. These include:
- Command: The necessity for clear leadership and structured decision-making to coordinate efforts and ensure the survival of the fighting force.
- Proportionality: Actions taken must be proportionate to the military advantage sought, balancing the need to achieve objectives with avoiding unnecessary harm—a consideration even in the context of survival to prevent resource waste or counterproductive acts.
- Necessity: Every action must be militarily necessary to achieve legitimate objectives, directly supporting the overarching goal of winning and surviving.
- Conscience: Even in the pursuit of survival, ethical considerations and human conscience often play a role, influencing the degree and manner in which lethal force is applied.
These secondary rules, therefore, serve as frameworks to execute the primary rule of survival more effectively, cohesively, and, where possible, responsibly.
The Broader Landscape: Laws of Armed Conflict
It is important to distinguish this practical "first rule" from the formal rules of warfare, known as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or the Laws of Armed Conflict (LOAC). While "Kill or Be Killed" is a de facto principle of survival, IHL comprises international treaties and customary law designed to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
These formal laws aim to:
- Protect persons who are not, or are no longer, participating in hostilities.
- Restrict the means and methods of warfare.
The following table outlines the contrast between the practical "first rule" and the formal "laws of war":
| Aspect | "Kill or Be Killed" (Primary Rule) | International Humanitarian Law (Formal Rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Existential, practical, imperative | Legal, ethical, restrictive |
| Primary Goal | Survival, victory | Limit suffering, protect non-combatants |
| Origin | Primal instinct, combat reality | International treaties, customs |
| Scope | Immediate action in hostilities | Conduct of hostilities, protection of victims |
| Enforcement | Individual action, unit discipline | State obligation, war crimes prosecution |
Key Principles of International Humanitarian Law
The formal rules of warfare, codified in conventions like the Geneva Conventions, establish fundamental principles to govern armed conflict:
- Distinction: Combatants must distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects, directing attacks only against the former.
- Proportionality: Attacks must not cause civilian casualties or damage to civilian objects that would be excessive in relation to the anticipated concrete and direct military advantage.
- Humanity: Prohibits weapons, methods, and tactics of warfare that are inherently cruel or cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.
- Military Necessity: Permits measures that are indispensable for securing the complete submission of the enemy as soon as possible, and which are not forbidden by international law.
These principles provide a framework that seeks to mitigate the brutality inherent in the "Kill or Be Killed" reality, aiming for a balance between military necessity and humanitarian considerations.
