A civilian is a person who does not serve in the military or engage in combatant roles. Civilians are a critical component of our society and play a vital role in promoting the safety, stability, and prosperity of our nation. In addition, they are a bridge between civilian communities and the armed forces, fostering communication and understanding. Civilians are characterized by their active participation in all aspects of life, including civic responsibilities and the pursuit of personal interests and professional aspirations. They are the backbone of thriving societies, upholding and shaping them in unique ways.
The term civilian is often mispronounced and used incorrectly, as in “civvy” instead of “civilian.” It’s also easy to forget that there are actually two syllables in the word “civil,” and it should always be pronounced with one. The word originated in France, and was first used as a legal concept in the early 19th century.
In international armed conflict, civilians are defined by international humanitarian law as all persons who are not direct participants in hostilities. Civilians are protected against attack, except when directly participating in hostilities, unless they pose an unreasonable threat to the forceful conduct of operations.
According to the law of armed conflict, parties to the conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants on the one hand and between civilian objects and military objectives on the other. This obligation is an essential principle of international humanitarian law and should be respected at all times (API Art. 48).
The distinction between combatants and civilians tends to be less clear in internal armed conflicts, where official governmental armed forces might oppose dissident groups within the national armed forces or non-state armed groups. In these circumstances, the law of armed conflict does not grant the status of combatant to members of these non-state armed groups, as doing so would compromise their civilian status and undermine the monopoly on the use of force entrusted to the State by international humanitarian law.
Civilians are a critical component of our nation’s security and must be protected at all costs. The military should focus its efforts on identifying, protecting, and resourcing civilians in order to achieve success against the threat of terrorism and other asymmetric threats.
When applying for civilian jobs, it is important to substitute military jargon with civilian equivalents in your resume and in conversations to make your experience easier for civilian hiring managers to understand. For example, replace the phrase “commissioned officer” with “supervisor.” Similarly, avoid using military acronyms in your cover letter and on interviews. Using civilian terminology is also a good way to demonstrate your understanding of the culture and language of civilian organizations. This will help you stand out to civilian employers who may have little or no knowledge of the military. It will show that you have the right skills for a civilian job and can quickly adapt to different environments and workplace cultures.