Sidebar: Consequences of Compliance?
Overly restrictive and unsuitable rules of engagement handicap and endanger U.S. forces, especially ground troops on peace-support missions. Individual Marines, sailors, and soldiers need to know when they may resort to deadly force to protect their lives.
On 6 June 1975, Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) introduced into the Congressional Record the rules of engagement (ROEs) for forces that had operated in the Republic of Vietnam. In doing so, he declared:
