“In 2011, I was in the Southern Philippines working with a Philippine Security Force unit. They got into a pretty significant firefight with a terrorist organization, and they sustained a lot of casualties. Prior to this incident, we had been doing years of medical training with them. When these casualties arrived at our base camp, every injured Filipino had bandages, splints, and tourniquets properly applied. I could see that our partnership with them provided real and practical results. In the military, it’s natural to say, “I have the means and the method to solve this problem, I’m going to solve it, wherever it is in the world.” When we’re working with partners, though, the Army Special Forces adopt an “indigenous approach” by assessing what exists and providing resources to get THAT system to work. When or if U.S. presence diminishes, their capability is strengthened because it was organic to begin with. At Sanford, I am interested in examining how this approach can develop alternative options that preserve our Nation’s resources, and if it is an effective approach to post-conflict stability efforts.” – Matthew Gomlak, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, 2019-2020 Counterterrorism and Public Policy Fellow #Fellow #HumansofDukeSanford