(DoD) A commander has the authority and obligation to use all necessary means available and to take all appropriate action to defend that commander's unit and other US forces in the vicinity from a hostile act or hostile intent. Force used should not exceed that which is necessary to decisively counter the hostile act or intent and ensure the continued safety of US forces or other persons and property they are ordered to protect. US forces may employ such force in self-defense only so long as the hostile force continues to present an imminent threat.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). self-defense. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/self-defense/definitions/1963917 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "self-defense" http://smartdefine.org/self-defense/definitions/1963917 (accessed September 23, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, self-defense, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/self-defense/definitions/1963917>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "self-defense" 4 April 2011. Web. 23 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/self-defense/definitions/1963917> |