Nontraditional Uniforms Do Accord Prisoner of War Status for Special Operations Forces

Although SOF may be more effective than conventional armed forces for certain missions, the unconventional operational methods of SOF create a chink in their armor not faced by the conventional armed forces. The nontraditional attire worn by SOF while operating in enemy territory, rather than traditional uniforms, arguably result in forfeiture of prisoner of war (POW) status for SOF under the law of war. Wearing a traditional uniform is not the combatant's sole means of distinguishing himself from the civilian population. SOF operating wearing nontraditional uniforms in enemy territory should not be declared spies because they wear distinctive clothing that distinguishes them from civilian populations.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Nontraditional Uniforms Do Accord Prisoner of War Status for Special Operations Forces', published 2003 under ISBN 9781423501848 and ISBN 1423501845.