7-21. Protection of civilians is not a separate task under the protection warfighting function; it is a protection activity that is considered during the planning and execution of all tasks. Army special operations forces often work in close proximity to and/or directly with local populations. This factor requires Soldiers to understand and uphold standards of conduct as well as legal, moral, and ethical obligations. Persons who are neither part of nor associated with an armed force or group nor otherwise engaged in hostilities are categorized as civilians and have protected status under the law of war. Army special operations forces must abide by U.S. policy and comply with the law of war during all armed conflicts—however such conflicts are characterized—as well as during missions conducted across the competition continuum. In order to comply, Soldiers must discriminate between combatants and civilians and take appropriate measures to protect civilians.