TJAG addresses misperceptions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Judge Advocate General of the Air Force addressed the perception of inequality between enlisted and officer disciplinary actions during a visit to Kadena May 21. 

"Our system is based on commanders being responsible for having a high standard of discipline," said Maj. Gen. Jack Rives. "They have to treat people fairly. They have to analyze every situation and decide what an appropriate disciplinary response is.
"Commanders are among the few people who know the whole story," he said. 

"Sometimes when it seems that officers are treated relatively lightly, it's because people don't understand all of the facts. Other times it is because people aren't considering the full impact of a disciplinary response that may be taken. For example, a non-judicial punishment action for a young Airman is designed to be rehabilitative, and if it is rehabilitative, then he can go on to a good career. For anyone above the most junior grades as an officer, an Article 15 can be a career killer. Certainly as you become more senior as an officer even a letter of reprimand can prevent promotion to the next grade." 

The Judge Advocate General was at Kadena to inspect the 18th Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and the Area Defense Counsel. General Rives toured the Kadena Law Center, which was named the 2006 Pacific Air Forces Large Base Legal Office of the Year, and the Kadena Tax Center. He received briefings covering the entire scope of legal operations here, including military justice, civil law, environmental law, labor law, procurement law, international law, operations law, legal assistance and claims operations. He also received an overview of the Kadena Disciplinary Action Program from Col. Chuck Ennis, 18th Mission Support Group deputy commander. Additionally, General Rives met with Brig. Gen. Punch Moulton, 18th Wing commander, to receive feedback on the quality of legal support to the wing and base. 

"We've been at Kadena a relatively short time, but it's been a good visit," he said. "I've met with senior commanders. I've spent a lot of time looking at statistical information and reading reports about Kadena before I came. They have a good variety of missions. The legal staff is very motivated and proud of the service they do. I'm impressed with the Airmen I've met at Kadena and how mission oriented they are." 

During his visit, TJAG discussed various changes on the horizon for members of the JAG corps, but he stressed Airmen will continue to find the same level of support at their wing legal office. 

"Within the JAG corps we are going through some important transformational changes," said General Rives. "But, we're going to do the job right so that Airmen of all pay grades can understand they can continue to get all of their legal needs taken care from the wing legal office." 

The general said the only exception is in how Airmen file claims involving loss or damages during shipment of household goods or privately-owned vehicles. Instead of filing paperwork at 92 locations worldwide, members must file these claims on-line at the Air Force Claims Service Center in Dayton, Ohio. General Rives said about 4,000 claims have been filed under the new system and it has received very positive feedback. 

TJAG also stressed during his visit how critical it is for Airmen to maintain legal readiness. "They need to get their legal affairs in order so they can focus on the mission," he said. 

General Rives continued his inspection of western Pacific Air Force legal offices by traveling to Misawa AB May 22. Kadena AB was TJAG's first stop in WestPac.