It is Department of Defense Policy that every appropriate effort be made to protect victims of abuse from further harm. Commanders have the authority to make military protective orders to safeguard victims, quell disturbances and maintain good order and discipline while victims are pursuing protection order from civilian courts or to support existing civilian protective orders.

Military protective orders (MPO), often referred to as a "no contact" order bars active duty military members from having contact with specified persons against whom they are alleged or confirmed to have committed an act of domestic violence or child abuse. For example, a commander may order a military member to:

1. Avoid contact and communication to the protected person directly, indirectly, or through a third person. This includes face to face, telephone, e-mail, letter, or fax contact.
2. Stay away (specified distance) from the protected person's family, home, workplace or other locations.
3. Vacate military housing and/or be provided temporary military quarters.
4. Attend counseling.
5. Surrender government weapons custody card.
6. Removal of on-base stored personal weapons.
7. Other orders as necessary based on specific circumstances.