What action is associated with SCOF Level 3?

The action associated with SCOF (Rules of Engagement for Use of Force) Level 3 is to issue a warning to a Civilian On the International (COI) that it will be fired upon. At this level, there is an escalation in the use of force, indicating that the situation has become more serious. The warning serves several important purposes: it provides an opportunity for the COI to alter its behavior or course of action to comply with directives, ensuring that the use of lethal force can be avoided if possible. This aligns with the principles of proportionality and minimum necessary force crucial in maritime operations while maintaining the safety of both the personnel involved and the COI.

This action is typically a prerequisite before lethal force is applied, demonstrating a responsible engagement strategy where warnings are given before more severe measures are taken. This step follows lower levels of engagement where non-lethal measures, communication, or presence may have been previously employed to de-escalate a situation.