DoD wants to incorporate civilian harm mitigation and response into all training and military education. Image: Kishore Newton/Shutterstock.com
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is taking steps to mitigate incidences of civilian casualties in future conflicts. His Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CMHR) would institutionalize the effort, which he ordered to get underway immediately.
The plan would focus on improved strategic outcomes and optimized operations, while inflicting as little harm upon civilian populations as possible.
Key aspects include:
• Establishment of a DoD-wide center of excellence dedicated to protection of civilians.
• Providing commanders with information they need and can use, which would enable them to better understand the environment in which they operate. Leaders would receive guidance for handling instances of civilian harm.
• Development of a process for reporting incidents of civilian harm, and compiling data. This would be used to improve how DoD reacts to such future situations.
• Improvement of the ability to gain access and respond to civilian harm at the hands of U.S. forces.
• Incorporation of civilian harm mitigation and response into all training and military education, and when coordinating operations with allies and partner nations.
• Placement of a senior DoD leader atop a steering committee that would regularly meet to provide oversight and guidance to all phases of casualty-mitigation implementation.
• Place the secretary of the Army as the action plan’s joint proponent.
“The actions contained in the plan are both ambitious and necessary,” Austin wrote. “And I know that they will require continued leadership, guidance and oversight during their implementation. I therefore direct department leaders to personally focus on implementation the actions in this plan and to support the CMHR steering committee as it executes its responsibilities, including overseeing the plan’s implementation.”
Contractor for New TSP System Owns Up to Missteps
PACT Act Passes for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits, Agent Orange, and Radiation
Congress Approves New VA Personnel Authorities in PACT Act; Survey Reveals Impact of Vacancies
DoD’s Tainted Claim Policy and Unjust Enrichment at the Expense of the Servicemember
Under Investigation? Know Your Rights and Don’t Engage the Enemy Alone
Will ‘Outside Activities’ Lead to a Security Review?
What Veterans and Service Members Need to Know About Military Discharge Upgrades