Lawful combatant

Lawful combatant is the general term from the Geneva Conventions, where an individual, adjudicated by a "competent tribunal" if necessary, qualifies for prisoner of war status. The critical criteria for lawful combatant status are, according to the Third Geneva Convention:
 * 1) Being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates;
 * 2) Having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance;
 * 3) Carrying arms openly;
 * 4) That of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war

The George W. Bush Administration used the term unlawful combatant or "unlawful enemy combatant" for members of al-Qaeda and certain members of the Taliban, but the Obama Administration has stated its preference simply to speak of "lawful combatants", and people who do not meet the standard of lawful combatants.