NEWPORT -- 30 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 effectively participate in operational planning.  During this annual three-week course, the class is placed into small groups of U.S. and international participants who complete exercises designed to simulate the legal aspects of operational planning.  Participants were impressed with the "wide coverage of topics on International Law" and "the efficiency and good coordination of the program."
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.  For example, the ILOMO course included presentations from NATO Legal Advisors who explained NATO organization and NATO Rules of Engagement.
The next offering of ILOMO (MASL P176027) will be 1-18 June 2020, at Naval Station, Newport.  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.  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.