SFROE (Self-[deff-off]Fense Rules of Engagement)

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ROE or rules of engagement is a term used by the military forces that provide rules or directives defining circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in the use of force, or actions that might be applied in certain circumstances. It is how higher authority authorizes for and/or limits the use of force and the employment of certain military capabilities such as SpecOps actions, etc.

ROE is not about how to achieve results in regard to mission requirements and goals, but will dictate what measures would be unacceptable in the tactics and strategies along with on the ground actions. 

In short, “Rules of engagement (ROE) are rules or directives to military forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which the use of force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied.” 

Examples of ROE Card:

• You have the right to use force to defend yourself against attacks or threats of attack.
• Hostile fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile attack. 
• When U.S. Forces are attacked by unarmed hostile elements, mobs and/or rioters, U.S. Forces should us the minimum force necessary under the circumstances and proportional to the threat. 
• You may not seize the property of others to accomplish your mission. 
• Detention of civilians is authorized for security reasons to accomplish your mission.
• REMINDER: The United States is not at war; threat all persons with dignity and respect; use minimum force to carry out the mission; always be prepared to act in self-defense. 

This is just an example and you will find that the ROE and ROE card vary according to missions, environments, political status and goals as well as many other factors. Here is the reason behind all this background, even you as a person who may or may not find themselves facing conflict and violence will have a set of ROE you have to live with to survive not just the encounter but the aftermath of legalities, moralities and health both mental and physical. More often than not, martial arts and karate self-defense programs fail to teach such things so that an individual can determine, know and understand the ROE involved then train, practice and apply such ROE in training programs so that when they have to apply it in reality, it has a chance of working. 

Examples of your SFROE card:

• You shall take and make every effort to avoid conflict especially when it can lead to violence.
• You shall have the privilege to take appropriate actions when you or others may incur grievous bodily harm of death.
• You shall use only that force necessary to end the encounter of violence, i.e., the minimal force necessary under the law for the circumstances involved and proportional to the threat at the moment. 
• You shall use the appropriate means necessary to protect and defend yourself against attacks or threats of attacks.
• You shall conduct self-defense actions in compliance with all laws, ordinances and other legal requirements and within the conditions specified by any higher authority, i.e., as with military, police and other violence professions. 
• You shall only apply that force and power necessary to ensure your safety through appropriate and disciplined use of force.
• You shall apply self-fense only under circumstances the meet the legal criteria of self-defense.

These and many others may apply to civilian self-fense so it is incumbent upon the individual to discover and create their own rules of engagement, ergo why I use SFROE because Self-Fense (the use of offensive and defensive actions) rules of engagement apply but that extends further than most SD programs, i.e., such as the use of avoidance then deescalation until you come to a point where the physical intervention to stop grave harm or death become necessary.

Maybe, if the industry assimilates such things into their programs they can easily expand their programs to include all aspects of the Self-Fense requirements of moral social requirements, legal requirements and any other considerations dictated by the SFROE and its supporting sources.

I would also suggest that each individual take stock of why they practice and train then perform a self-analysis of the needs toward Self-fense and finally do an environmental, personal and social assessment toward the dangers that would lead to the need for self-fense. If you are taking the MA and/or Karate for the health benefits; if you are taking them for the sport; if you are taking them for the competitive goals or if you are taking it exclusively for the defensive reasons - all require some analysis and assessment because it will effect how, why, when and with whom you train and practice. In most cases developing a ROE for Self-fense is just a waste of time but if you truly have a need for Self-fense then developing that SFROE becomes critical.

I also highly recommend the study of materials on self-defense by noted professionals such as Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller and many other experienced professionals of conflict and violent professions, i.e., start with meditations on violence along with in the name of self-defense. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)