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The Judge Advocate General’s School

1

Major Andrew Barker

Captain Satura Gabriel

Legal Issuesfor the

First Sergeant

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Legal Issues for the First Sergeant

1. Where To Turn? JAG Office JAG Relationship- What to expect

2. Military Justice – Discipline/Truths and Myths3. ADC & Accused4. Professional vs. Unprofessional Relationships5. Sexual Harassment Law6. Religion in the Workplace7. Private Organizations8. Commander-Directed Mental Health Evaluations9. Questions?

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1. Where To Turn

What does typical base legal office look like? SJA (0-5/senior 0-4) Deputy SJA Assistant SJAs

0-7 years of experience Captain after 6 months of good service All have undergraduate and law school

degrees Most attend COT and JASOC (some are

ROTC and FLEP)

Paralegals Many cross-trainees = military

experience

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JAG Corps TodayDemographics

Judge Advocates and Paralegals come from diverse backgrounds. Together, they

are a strong, capable, and competent team that delivers legal capabilities worldwide to command and the warfighter

16%84%

Paralegal Sources

Non-Prior ServiceRetraining

81%

14%4%

1%

JAG Commissioning Sources

Direct Appointment

ROTC

USAFA

OTS

70%

30%

JAG Corps Gender Distribution

Male

Female

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Deliver Capabilities to Command & the Warfighter

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Is it legal? If not, is there a way to make it legal? SJAs and ASJAs:

- Give a range of options

- Make a recommendation

- Provide rationale Should also advise on prudence and practicality Do the RIGHT thing

JAGs advise Commanders decide

OUR Relationship – Discipline

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Another Resource

                      

http://milcom.jag.af.mil

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2. Disciplinary Options

NOTHING - COUNSEL - LOC - LOA - LOR - ART 15 - COURT-MARTIAL

1. Type of Offense2. Facts and Circumstances3. Offender4. Impact on Unit5. Consequences on the Offender

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Truth or Myth?

We have felonies and misdemeanors. If you get tried by a state court, the military

cannot court-martial you. Officers cannot be reduced in rank in court

or at an Article 15. Military retirees can be court-martialed. You have no appeal rights in a LOR. A General Discharge automatically upgrades

in 6 months.

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Truth or Myth?

A First Sergeant can serve an Article 15. A member can be found NOT GUILTY in an

Article 15. A First Sergeant can prefer charges against

anyone. If an airman is in trouble, you must tell him

not to talk and see the ADC. The ADC must tell you if a member is visiting

his office.

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DO NOTHING COUNSEL LOA LOR ART 15 COURT-MARTIAL

What happens when the JAG is here

And a squadron commander is here

If they just can’t agree, they should jointly take it up a level

Advice – What if We Do Not Agree?

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And a word about Inspections

Primary purpose is KEY!!! Mil. R. Evid. 313(b): Determine & ensure

security, military fitness, or GOAD DOCUMENT the purpose!

Urinalysis and/or dorm inspection? May be done with or without notice Unlawful weapons, contraband or other

evidence of crime can be seized

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Program began in 1974 to offset negative perceptions ADC normally selected from legal office

Competent litigator Critical role in promoting justice

and preventive law efforts

Independence of the ADC enhances

effectiveness Full-time job: represent individuals facing

disciplinary or adverse administrative actions Outside of installation chain of command Reports through USAF Judiciary to TJAG

Needs and deserves strong command support

3. Area Defense Counsel

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Dealing with an Accused

Mental health watch Limited Privilege for Suicide Prevention

Right to ADC and ADC visits Confinement bag

Is it right? If not, unit may pay. Unit Role

Pretrial confinement Confinement

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4. Professional vs. Unprofessional Relationships

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AFI 36-2909 Professional: “Contribute to the effective operation

of the Air Force” Unprofessional: “On or off duty…detract from

authority…result in, or reasonably create the appearance of:” Favoritism Misuse Mission abandonment

Who can be in one? So, what’s fraternization?

Professional vs. Unprofessional Relationships

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High Risk! Organizational relationships

Supervisory or command authority Dating and close friendship Shared activities

Accommodations, vacations, transportation, off-duty interests

Test: Frequency & official purpose/benefit

Example: Regular golf game

Unprofessional RelationshipsExamples

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Prohibited conduct – Officers will not Gamble Lend money* Borrow money* Date Sexual relationships Live together* Go into business together

Fraternization Examples

* Limited exception exists

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Practical advice It’s now YOUR job! Don’t hesitate to act

Appearances count Uncorrected, it’s corrosive! Minimum: stop what’s

unprofessional Full spectrum

JA is there to help!

Professional and Unprofessional Relationships

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Sexual Harassment

Quid pro quo Sexual favors for job benefit Job detriment for lack of sexual favors Generally supervisor/subordinate Law and policy clear

Hostile Work Environment Abusive work environment created

(words/actions) Interferes with job performance Between “mere utterance” and “nervous breakdown”

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Preventive Measures Written policy updated? Training Advertise complaint

system

Take prompt, corrective action

Coordinate action with JA, EO, civilian personnel

What can I do?

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6. Religion in the Workplace

SOURCES US Constitution (1st Amendment) 10 USC 774, Religious Apparel: Wearing While in Uniform 10 USC 2000bb et seq., Religious Freedom Restoration Act DoDI 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices

Within the Military Services (10 Feb 09) AFJI 48-110, Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis, (29

Sep 06) Memorandum, Military Chaplains, The Under Secretary of

Defense for Personnel and Readiness (30 Sep 11) Memorandum, Uses of DoD Facilities, General Counsel of

the Department of Defense (21 Sep 11)

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Religion in the Workplace

AF-SPECIFIC SOURCES AFI 36-2706, Equal Opportunity Program Military and

Civilian (5 Oct 10) AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force

Personnel (18 Jul 11) AFI 36-3204, Procedures for Applying as a Conscientious

Objector (15 Jul 94) Revised Interim Guidelines Concerning Free Exercise of

Religion in the Air Force (9 Feb 06) Memorandum, Maintaining Government Neutrality

Regarding Religion, Chief of Staff (1 Sep 11)

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Staff Meeting PrayerAccommodation

PracticeApparel

Religion in the Workplace

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7. Private Organizations

Is it a PO or UA? What difference does it make? Mandatory Membership?

Official Endorsement?

Fundraisers? AFI 34-223 & AFI 36-3101 Location, Activity, Frequency, Liability

Why involve JA?

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Legitimate mental health problems

You can encourage voluntary mental health care Don’t coerce!

Only commanders can make members go to MHE Non-Emergency Emergency

LPSP

8. Commander-Directed Mental Health Evaluations

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Conclusion

1. Where To Turn? JAG Office JAG Relationship- What to expect

2. Military Justice – Truths and Myths3. ADC & Accused4. Professional vs. Unprofessional Relationships5. Sexual Harassment6. Religion in the Workplace7. Private Organizations8. Commander-Directed Mental Health Evaluations

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QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?