DIILS students attending the June 2009 International Law of Military Operations (ILOMO) Course visited the Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) and the Rhode Island National Guard Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS). Through the use of these technologically-advanced training systems, ILOMO students were afforded the unique opportunity to experience the complexities of applying rules of engagement (ROE) at the operational level.

The June 2009 ILOMO course brought together a diverse group of twenty-five students from twenty different nations to study the application of international legal standards in military operations. ILOMO provides international military legal professionals with the opportunity to explore the latest developments in the application of law to military operations, as well as the opportunity to exchange their views and experiences with their fellow students.
 

The process of developing and applying effective rules of engagement (ROE) is a primary learning objective in the ILOMO course. Through lectures, case studies, and group exercises, students gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges inherent in drafting ROE from the perspective of the legal professional. The follow-on visits to SWOS and FATS served to demonstrate the impact of ROE at the operational level. The FATS simulator placed students in a wide variety of video-based “boots on the ground” scenarios, while the SWOS Full Mission Bridge Simulator challenged students to apply ROE in a highly realistic maritime environment.

As a result, ILOMO students received an “end-to-end” educational experience that will ensure they are ready to provide exceptional advice and expertise to their commanders.

The two-week International Law of Military Operations (ILOMO) course is conducted each year in June. Additionally, students enrolled in the Military Law Development Program-ILOMO course attend ILOMO as part of the curriculum. Information on program costs, quotas, and scheduling is available in the “course” menu on this website.