Guantanamo Military Commission - The Commission Members

The Commission Members

Initially the identity of the commission members were to be kept hidden, and the commission was to consist of a Presiding Officer (a lawyer), at least four other officers (between eight and eleven in capital cases), and one alternate.

The structure of the commission was radically revised in late 2004. The impartiality of five of the officers was challenged, and two of the officers were removed. All five officers of the commission have an equal vote.

Peter Brownback Colonel (retired)
  • President of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • The only lawyer on the commission.
  • A long time friend of the appointing officer.
  • Brownback was criticized for not being an active member of a state bar.
Christopher Bogdan Colonel USAF
  • Member of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • Only commission member who was not challenged.
R. Thomas Bright Colonel USMC
  • Member of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • Challenged because he assembled lists of detainees bound for Guantánamo and executed war plans in Afghanistan.
  • Remains on the commission.
Curt S. Cooper Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army
  • Member of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • Admitted referring to the Guantánamo detainees as "terrorists".
  • Admitted being unfamiliar with the Geneva Conventions.
  • Removed from the commission.
Jack K. Sparks Jr. Colonel USMC
  • Member of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • Membership was challenged because he lost a subordinate during the attacks of September 11, 2001.
  • Remains on the commission.
Timothy K. Toomey Lieutenant Colonel USAF
  • Member of the Commissions for David Hicks, Salim Hamdan
  • An intelligence officer who was involved in the capture of suspects in Afghanistan.
  • Removed from the commission.
Ralph Kohlmann Colonel USMC
  • President of the Commissions for Binyam Ahmed Muhammad and Ghassan Abdullah Al-Sharbi

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