What should you do if a target cannot be positively identified before engagement?

• A. Engage immediately to prevent loss.
• B. Do not engage; observe, reposition, and seek PID or confirmation through proper channels.
• C. Call in air support to identify.
• D. Move closer to visually identify.

Answer: (B)

The guiding principle here is to avoid engagement until you have positive identification of a legitimate target under ROE. If you can’t positively identify the target, the safest and most responsible move is to refrain from firing, observe, and seek confirmation through proper channels. Repositioning can improve your line of sight and reduce ambiguity, increasing your chances of correctly ID’ing the target, while requesting confirmation from higher headquarters or using available surveillance and ISR assets helps you verify who or what you’re facing before you act. Engaging without PID risks fratricide, civilian casualties, and ROE violations, and can escalate the situation unnecessarily.

Engaging immediately ignores PID requirements. Asking for air support to identify can be helpful, but it’s not a substitute for first confirming PID and may introduce delays or dependence on assets that aren’t immediately available. Moving closer to visually identify increases your exposure and danger without guaranteeing a safe or reliable ID.