In military or police operations, the rules of engagement (ROE) determine when, where, and how force shall be used. Such rules are both general and specific, and there have been large variations between cultures throughout history. The rules may be made public, as in a martial law or curfew situation, but are typically only fully known to the force that intends to use them.

Rules of Engagement is a 2000 American movie starring Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, directed by William Friedkin. The movie, a military and political drama, is about Marine Colonel Terry Childers, played by Jackson, who is court-martialed for disobeying the rules of engagement in a military incident at an embassy.

The lead writer, James H. Webb, is a former Marine combat officer and lawyer, and is currently the junior United States Senator from Virginia.

Rules of Engagement is a sitcom that debuted on CBS on February 5, 2007, as a midseason replacement, immediately following Two and a Half Men, in the time slot that was occupied by The New Adventures of Old Christine. The series is produced by Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions and is distributed by Sony Pictures Television. After a successful first season, it was renewed for a second season, which began airing on Monday, September 24 2007.

Production on the show was halted on November 6, 2007 due to the 2007 Writers' Strike. However, once the strike ended, CBS has announced that the show will return April 14 2008 with 6 episodes.

Hayes Hodges finds his career aspirations dashed when he's wounded in Vietnam combat. He then returns to America and becomes a disillusioned lawyer who goes up against the service to defend Colonel Terry Childers, who is accused of inciting an incident that leaves many demonstrators dead. Hodges in no position to decline: Childers heroically saved his life back in Vietnam. Written by Ronos

Colonel Terry Childers is a 30-year Marine veteran: a decorated officer with combat experience in Vietnam, Beirut and Desert Storm. But now, the country he served so well has put him on trial for a rescue mission that went terribly wrong. For his attorney, he has chosen Marine Colonel Hayes Hodges, a comrade-in-arms who owes his life to Childers. Hodges is not the best lawyer in the service, but Childers trusts him as a brother Marine who knows what it's like to risk death under fire. Bound by duty and friendship, Hodges reluctantly takes the case, even as he begins to doubt the man who saved his life in Vietnam three decades ago. Written by Anonymous

Colonel Terry Childers is a 30 year career Marine. When he is ordered to go the American Embassy in Yemen, when it's learned that things there are starting to unravel. After evacuating the Ambassador and his family, Childers orders his men to fire at the crowd cause he believes that they are armed. Back in the U.S., certain officials fear that there'll be a backlash against other embassies and Americans, if Childers claim is proven to be true. So they have decided to make Childers a scapegoat. Childers asks Colonel Hayes Hodges, a man whom he knew and saved in Vietnam to defend him. And while there is no evidence or witness that can back Childers' claim, Hodges feels that he owes it to Childers to do what he can. Written by rcs0411@yahoo.com

Both Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kajlich appeared as prominent characters on Dawson's Creek in Season 6. Oliver played the unemployed Eddie Doling while Bianca played the actress Natasha Kelly.