What Is a Civilian?

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A civilian is a person who does not serve in the military. Unlike those who serve in the military, civilians have jobs and families outside of the military. Civilians are the backbone of society. They work in education, health care, construction and many other fields. They also volunteer their time to help those in need.

The word civilian is derived from the Latin words civilis and ius, meaning right of citizen. Civilians have rights, such as voting and free speech, that are guaranteed by the constitution. They live in peace with their fellow citizens. Civilians have a strong influence in public life, such as the police and local government. They have the power to enforce laws and protect the people.

During armed conflict, civilians are often at risk of harm. This is especially true in urban fighting, where explosive weapons are used in densely populated areas and the line between war and daily life blurs. The current trends in warfare – major powers are preparing for peer-to-peer conflict with a focus on speed and lethality – have the potential to make civilian harm even worse.

Civilian casualties in conflicts are not inevitable. In fact, if we use the right mix of tactics and weapons, we can reduce the number of civilians killed and wounded.

We need to engage with communities, tribes and other influencers to promote a civilian-oriented approach to warfare. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as community events, trainings and workshops, and by raising awareness among leaders.

We should build upon the work of others, and work with them to find creative ways to prevent civilian harm. This includes working with local government authorities and non-governmental organizations to raise awareness and provide support services for civilians in need.

Currently, most civilians who are affected by armed conflict are women and children. As a result, the United States and other countries are focusing more attention on protecting civilians, including through funding and training. In addition, the Department of Defense (DoD) has established the Civilian Casualties Reduction Program to identify and implement best practices in the prevention of civilian casualties.

For the first time, all DoD activities, from training and development to policymaking, are coordinated through the Civilian Casualties Reduction Program. In addition, a new congressional caucus – the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus – was launched on August 26 to conduct oversight and advance policies that prevent, reduce, and respond to civilian harm caused by U.S. and partner operations around the world.

The Army Civilian mission is to employ men and women to fill critical Department of Defense roles in more than 500 careers, from cyber security to engineering and medicine. Army civilians work alongside men and women in uniform to do their part in supporting the Army’s mission and empowering Soldiers to focus on their jobs.