VICENZA, Italy — Hagerstown, Maryland, residents may not know that their school board’s legal counsel is also a U.S. Army Reserve officer on a vital mission. Capt. Brooke Gomulka serves as in-house counsel during the week but transforms into a judge advocate for the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade on weekends. Currently, she is stationed in Vicenza for a nine-month deployment with the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF).
Her deployment has involved leading rule of law exchanges during her time in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, engaging with military legal professionals in Uganda, Zambia, and Burundi. These collaborative sessions aimed to share U.S. practices and learn about the local applications of the rule of law, providing a platform for discussions about legal frameworks and military justice.
“The exchanges aimed to facilitate discussions about rule of law among experts,” Gomulka noted, reflecting on how these interactions highlighted the rights that are often overlooked in the U.S., such as the right to legal counsel.
The focus in Uganda was on critical military subjects, including the law of armed conflict and peacekeeping operations, allowing for deeper engagement due to prior conversations with local legal professionals. In Zambia, conversations centered around human rights, where one Zambian colonel illustrated the challenges faced without formal military legal training, emphasizing the importance of these exchanges.
In Burundi, where Gomulka found her efforts most rewarding, the discussions represented a significant breakthrough, marking the first engagement of its type since 2016. By the second day, U.S. and Burundian officers were sharing meals and engaging in substantial dialogue, demonstrating the cultural connections strengthened through collaborative efforts.
During her exchanges, Gomulka was struck by the warm hospitality of her counterparts, who often welcomed the U.S. team into their homes and shared traditional meals. “It was enlightening to learn about their culture beyond legal discussions,” she said.
This experience has not only enhanced Gomulka’s professional capabilities but has also contributed to her personal growth. As the only judge advocate in the region, she faced the challenge of independently crafting operational plans—an experience that has expanded her skill set beyond traditional legal responsibilities.
Having never planned missions before, she remarked that such duties are typically outside a judge advocate’s role. “Thinking through the process of mission execution was a new frontier for me,” Gomulka stated.
Inspired by her experiences in Burundi, Gomulka plans to incorporate visual aids and diagrams used there into training sessions for U.S. soldiers, expressing interest in adapting these innovative teaching methods to align with American military education. She also noted a perceptible difference in how partner nations structure their legal teams, often centralizing their military attorneys instead of embedding them with units, a contrast to U.S. practices.
As her deployment nears conclusion, Gomulka looks forward to savoring her favorite glazed donut from Krumpe’s in Hagerstown, a nostalgic taste of home before she transitions back to her routine. Her journey serves as a testament to the extraordinary contributions made by everyday individuals in service to their country.
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