The Judge Advocate Generals Corp.

Wisdom, Valor and Justice

By: Tech. Sgt. Whetstone

Being a member of the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) is one of the most interesting and fulfilling roles in the Air Force.  Air Force JAGs across Active Duty, the Reserve and the Air National Guard (ANG) handle a variety of legal issues including international law, operations law, environmental law, legal assistance, and military justice. The DCANG has one of the most diverse and unique missions of all.     

The 113th Wing JAG office (113 WG/JA) is staffed by Drill Status attorneys and paralegals who work together to support over thirteen-hundred ANG members. The 113 WG/JA team fosters personnel readiness by providing professional and timely legal assistance to all DCANG members, eligible family members and military retirees on personal legal issues such as family law and landlord/tenant issues. 

When it comes to military justice, ANG members in Title 32 status are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the DCANG does not have a state code of military justice.  This prevents our unit from conducting, “you can’t handle the truth” courts-martial, however, we still have an active administrative discipline program. While legal assistance and administrative actions are core functions of the DCANG/JA, our mission expands far beyond sitting at a desk. We advise the Wing on all adverse administrative actions and are  on the forefront of assisting commanders in the administration of  fair and just discipline and promotion of good order.

During domestic operations missions, such as civil unrest, presidential inaugurations, the recent COVID-19 response and others, we advise commanders on the rules of law. Our JAGs and paralegals operated on the front lines to protect the U.S. Capital's citizens, buildings and monuments—most recently, in support of OPERATION CAPITOL RESPONSE.

The DCANG/JA office provides legal advice and services on a broad range of topics.  We support individual service members and retirees as well as advise supervisors and commanders on nearly all legal issues they face. We are grateful for a supportive leadership chain and look forward to serving you in the future!

END… 

Tech. Sgt. Connor Whetstone is a paralegal with the 113th Wing, JAG office, D.C. Air National Guard