What must a soldier reasonably believe to employ deadly force against an assailant?

To employ deadly force against an assailant, a soldier must reasonably believe that the assailant poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm (DSBH). This criterion is critical because the use of deadly force is a severe action that must be justified by the immediate danger presented. The concept of "imminent threat" signifies that the danger is not hypothetical or future but is occurring at that moment, necessitating an urgent response to prevent grave harm.

This understanding aligns with the principles governing the use of force, where the threshold for employing deadly force is high and aimed at protecting oneself or others from immediate and serious threats. The justification provided by the belief in an imminent threat ensures that the response is proportional to the risk faced.

In contrast, believing that the assailant is a known criminal does not, on its own, justify the use of deadly force, as criminality does not necessarily equate to an immediate threat. Similarly, if the soldier believes that the assailant poses no threat at all, this belief completely negates the rationale for using deadly force. Lastly, while a situation that requires immediate evacuation may be pressing, it does not inherently validate the use of deadly force without the presence of an imminent threat.