NEWPORT -- 28 international participants from DIILS joined U.S. judge advocates attending the Naval Justice School for resident course focused on international operational law.  The DIILS International Law of Military Operations (ILOMO) course prepares military legal advisors to support commanders on the legal aspects of operations and to be more proactive in operational planning.  During this annual three-week course, the class often splits into small groups of U.S. and international participants who complete exercises designed to simulate the legal aspects of operational planning.  One participant summed it up:  "ILOMO addresses real-world current legal trends and problems."  Another participant added:  "Highly experienced instructors and self-explanatory slides followed by group exercises on the same topic made the class so effective.”
This unique experience in military cooperation enables the U.S. and the international participants to appreciate a wide range of national policies, perspectives and approaches, so that all are better prepared to work together in future multinational contingency operations.  One international participant noted:  "It was a great idea to combine the DIILS ILOMO course with [the U.S. Naval Justice School] LOMO course, so that international participants have a chance to work and share opinions with U.S. soldiers.  I didn't expect to have this chance and I found this very valuable."  American participants also found value in the course.  One said:  "ILOMO provided a unique platform to meet and interact with international military lawyers"
While ILOMO is designed mainly for military legal advisors, it may also be useful to commanders and staff officers who seek to increase their understanding of the complex legal issues attendant to military operations.  As an international participant stated, "the highlight of the ILOMO course is how to apply international and national law in a specific military operation."
In addition to their classroom time at Naval Station Newport, RI, ILOMO participants visit New York City and meet with experts from the United Nations.  They also participate in Field Studies Program visits to Newport and Boston.  The next offering of ILOMO (MASL P176027) will be 4-21 June 2018, at Naval Station, Newport.