This manual, released in June 2015, is a Department of Defense (DoD)-wide resource for DoD personnel - including commanders, legal practitioners, and other military and civilian personnel - on the law of war. It is an essential reference for any library, organization, or individual interested in modern international politics, the war on terrorism, the law of war, or international social justice.

The manual is written by the Office of General Counsel of DoD. Because of limitations on page count, the Preface and Foreword are provided on front and back cover.