DIILS was excited to resume its resident courses in July with Legal Aspects of Defense Support of Civil Authorities (LADSCA).
This three-week course focuses on international and domestic legal frameworks for various aspects of military support to and cooperation with civil law enforcement and emergency response authorities for domestic operations. It includes discussions of international agreements that provide a legal basis for international HA/DR assistance, pandemics including COVID-19, use of force rules and human rights protections, case studies related to counter terrorism, detention, counter drug operations, security for special events and response to civil disturbance.  The course provides an opportunity for participants to apply these legal and operational concepts during interactive exercises and discussion of realistic scenarios and real world events.
In response to the global pandemic/COVID-19, DIILS proactively modified the LADSCA course and curriculum.  The first two weeks were taught remotely to accommodate for required quarantine upon arrival to the US.  DIILS also added an additional week to the course allowing them to provide two full weeks of in person instruction following the quarantine.  This also allowed DIILS to provide an in depth US and international perspective on the role of defense support to civil authorities during a the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nine students from Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Moldova, Malawi, Mexico and Uganda attended the course which was instructed at the DIILS Education Center in Newport, Rhode Island.  The course began with online training via ZoomGov while students completed a 14-day quarantine period.  After moving into the classroom, instruction continued via in person lectures and ZoomGov instruction delivered by subject matter experts from around the world.  An ongoing exercise throughout the course focused on defense support/inter-agency cooperation during a pandemic situation, utilizing real-world scenarios.
DIILS was delighted to welcome two alumni from previous LADSCA courses who presented informative briefs during the course via ZoomGov.  Bridgadier Wipula Chandrasiri presented on “Sri Lanka’s Response to Fighting COVID-19” and Colonel Ernest Awuah presented a case study on “Ghana’s Counter-Terrorism Operations”.
Field Studies Programs for current courses are limited to local areas of interest. LADSCA students participated in a tour of the late 18th century Coastal Army Artillery Post, Fort Adams in Newport, RI; Prohibition era Rum Runner II boat tour of Narragansett Harbor; and a walking tour of historic downtown Newport.
DIILS also presented the Lt Col Vincent Sowa award for excellence during the course to Major Besnik Selimi from Kosovo.  Lt Col Vincent Sowa was an alumni of the inaugural LADSCA course in 2014 who sadly passed away in 2017.  DIILS honors his memory every year during the LADSCA course by presenting an award for the “Mastery of course concepts; interest in and dedication to the topic of Military-Civilian Support and Cooperation; and concern for fellow course participants.”  Congratulations Major Selimi!
The next iteration of Legal Aspects of Defense Support of Civil Authorities (LADSCA) is scheduled for 1-24 June 2021.