KINGS POINT, N.Y., September 25, 2015 – A United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Midshipman of the had the opportunity to participate in a Rules of Engagement (ROE) Workshop at the Institute for International Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy, this summer.

Midshipman 2nd Class Stacee Glass, a Marine Transportation Major from Johnstown, PA, was the only undergraduate student in the course aimed at commanders, legal advisors, “and others who are involved in mission planning and the development of rules for using force during military operations.”

Glass, who is studying ROE, explained that “the course itself used lectures and workshops to address (ROE) for international armed conflicts in the air, land, and sea. I learned about the various international law and human rights doctrines that countries must consider when drafting ROE for various missions which could include combat, humanitarian aid, de-escalation of forces, etc.”

She went on to say, “How the ROE are taught and trained can have an immense impact on the success of a mission as well. Overall I learned an incredible amount of information about the moral, ethical, and legal dilemmas that must be faced when entering potentially hostile environments, and how planning the ROE is a multi-faceted and complex process that must combine a plethora of variables in to a simple set of rules meant to protect our own teams’ lives.”

 Her Kings Point Scholar Advisor and USMMA Director of Ethics, Capt. Reed Bonadonna, USMS, was extremely pleased that she had this opportunity. He said, “Midshipman Glass was the only undergraduate in the course. She and one other student in the course received challenge coins as the two top-ranked participants.”

Glass summarized by saying, “Overall, the program was an invaluable experience. Speaking with the other professionals afforded incredible insight into their various fields of expertise and gave me international perspectives into the military ethics issues we face today. Part of the reason I wanted to come to Kings Point was for the professional and leadership development, and I cannot thank the Academy, Capt. Bonadonna, and the Institute enough for this opportunity. “