Judge Advocate General

So this last week has seen a lot of different things happen at JAOBC.  We had 2 short papers, 3 seminar classes (get a practice problem and answer specific questions or point out errors in it), and our first exam.  Although it sounds like a lot of academia, it really wasn't to bad as we have good instructors, reference materials, and they don't hide the ball on the exams (they tell us what we need to focus on).  Unlike lawschool, our exams were graded and returned to us within 2 hours (everyone passed), and then we went over them instantaneously.

We also just started the criminal law stretch of our JAG introduction, and the pace has changed immensley.  We now have a lot more reading assignments but many of them our just skimming as we go over the main points in class.  Dont worry, for all of you potential applicants, there is still PLENTY of time to go out and have fun.

Everyone is starting to get into their routines so it is easier to get out and experience Charlottesville, the restaurants, and bars.  That being said, my routine is just about to change.  Our first day of air assault, Chief set-up 12 different stations that were about 30 seconds each (no rest in between).  It involved different kinds of push-ups, chin-ups and squating/lunges with weight.  While nothing terribly bad, some of those definetely would prefer a long run (not me though).  Airborne group ran their 5 mile run which had to be completed in 45 minutes or less.  They lost 2 more people who couldn't make the time (I know one was injured but tried). On Wed. we had our first company ruck march with weight which took forever with 110+ people walking around the hills of Charlottesville.  We only had to use 20 lbs but I put in 35 so I can get used to it for the Air Assault time rucks.  Then on Thurs for Air Assault, we used weighted vests (20 lbs.) and climbed a rope, did chin-ups and push-ups, and then had really races up the 5 flights of stairs.  Stadium steps is definetely something I can do better than running.

Wed afternoon my run group (4th run group--"they call us 4 because we never do less than 4 miles"-1Lt Heaser),was called before the cadre and told that we are going to be part of an "experiment."  Just for a little background, our run group leader is a Lt. Col. who is a little older but a hard-core worker.  We always run at a faster pace than the groups ahead of us (except group 1), we run farther, and we always have some muscle exercise afterwards.  Our experiment is that the cadre wants to see if conducting PT in smaller groups (say like the size of our run groups) will be more beneficial then having 50+ people of all different abilities together.  So essentially, the LT COL volunteered our group to do extra with him and be the experiment.  After group stretching we will fall out and he will take our run group (now of 13 soldier) and do our own PT that he comes up with.  You can tell he has the reputation for being really hard as both first Sergeant and Chief smiled as they broke the news to us.  I'm excited about it because now he may run us a little less but PT us a little harder,

Speaking of physical fitness, I am finally getting back into the weight room consistently (during our 1hr and 30 min lunch).  That's one great benefit of living at the school, no traveling to shwoer or change, and I can use the weight room at lunch and get a good lift in.  Its a little small but it has everything you need.  A lot of people have signed up at the UVA gym or used the contract the school has with Gold's Gym (about 2 miles away) and work out for free.

So thats essentially life at the JAOBC for a week.

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Last week, I attended the Military Institute On the Prosecution of Sexual Violence held at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C.  More than fifty Army criminal prosecutors (and one very high speed Marine) came together from around the globe to attend this very important training. 

We have all heard the phrase 'no means no.'  But far more is needed to protect against sexual assault and rape.  It also means no if a person is incapable of saying no.  Our legal system has made great strides in recent years towards protecting victims of sexual assault and prosecuting this horrible crime.  But we still have a long way to go.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a woman is raped approximately every two minutes in the United States.  In 2007, there were approximately one quarter million sexual assaults and the reality is that it is impossible to come up with a precise number because of the large number of such assaults that go unreported.  About one out of every six American women will be the victim of rape or an attempted rape in their lifetimes.  The majority of sexual assault victims, more than 90%, are women.  Moreover, approximately 15% of rape and sexual assault victims are children under the age of twelve.

The suffering of many sexual assault victims only begins with the assault.  According to the World Health Organization, victims of sexual assault are approximately three times more likely to suffer depression as compared with the general population, six times more likely to suffer from PTSD, thirteen times more likely to struggle with alcohol abuse, twenty-six times more likely to abuse drugs and four times more likely to contemplate suicide.

One of the struggles that remains in this country is for the public, and juries in the courtroom, to get over the prejudices that have plagued sexual assault victims since time immemorial.  A sexual assault is a sexual assault.  And it is a crime.  If a person has not consented to sexual contact or is incapable of consenting for a host of reasons ranging from age to intoxication, it is sexual assault.  No one "deserves" to be the victim of a sexual assault.  No one is "asking for it" because of their level of intoxication, how they are dressed, or even if there have been consensual relations in the past.  Neither does it matter how a person behaves in the aftermath of a sexual assault or that a person may wait for a long time to report an assault.  Every victim of sexual assault reacts differently.  Some may be tearful, distraught, depressed, or suicidal.  Others may act as if nothing has happened and wish to "normalize" their life.  Some victims report an assault immediately and others, for a host of reasons, may wait to report or may never report a sexual assault at all.

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, I encourage you to report it.  It is true that doing so can be a difficult thing to do.  You may have worries that no one will believe you or that you will be subjected to scrutiny.  Yet know that if you have been the victim of a sexual assault, it is not your fault and there are people who are willing to listen and willing to help.  And also understand that many of those who commit sexual assault are predators and your reporting, even if the crime ultimately cannot be prosecuted, may prevent the next person from being sexually assaulted.

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Alright everyone, so zero day has come and gone and it was a ton of fun.  Like I said previously, we were outside at 0435 in the morning in our ACU's and boots.  When the cadre showed at 0450, we started a run that was probably about 3/4 of a mile or so to a parking garage area.  Before the run was over, we had one person drop.  Once there, we lined up and first sergeant pointed out that there was hot chocolate and donuts for anyone who wanted to quit (and that they wouldnt have to do regular pt, they could go home and back to sleep).

We started off with 112 overhead claps (224 since everyone 1 is really 2) and then a lot of other shoulder/ push-up exercises for about 20 minutes.  Mind you, its continous with no real breaks.  When they did allow us to get water, it was on a ten second count down.  Another few dropped out/ were kicked out because they couldnt keep the pace in overhead arm claps or they bent their arms.  After about 20 minutes of that, we about faced and had Chief to initiate our legs into zero day.  She hit us with a lot of abs, lunges, and other activities.  At any point in time, if either of them yelled go we would have to get up, run up the parking garage and back down and then continue (there was a lot of go's).

About 45 minutes into, we started doing lunges and if she passed us from behind, we would be done.  That, and lots of flutter kicks.  Then we about-faced and first sergeant gave us a minute to go to the van and pull out blocks.  As he counted down and we trampled each other and threw them out of the van, you couldnt help but laugh that our colleagues are doing boring legal research.  We got back and did a variety of push-ups using the blocks to go lower (one block under each hand).  After another about face, we went back to the van to get 15 lb medicine balls.  We had to start squating them and sprinting with them.  Its hard to go into detail about everything thats going as we were out there exercising for more than 2 hours continously.  Only about 10-15 people dropped out of the original 40 or so (rough estimates) but those who werent injured and came in decent shape made it through.  It actually became easier (to me) as we went because I am more leg and power oriented and since there was no long distance running, it helped me out.  By the end, everyone was cheering for the slower ones and it brought everyone else together.

Needless to say that our ACU's needed a good washing after that since people were sweating through them in 25 degree weather.  But everyone was pretty stoked about making it through.  Then we had to walk/ run back, unpack the van, shower and get to class in about 35 minutes.  It was funny seeing everyone an hour later as their bodies tightened up and people could not walk up stairs or get up from their chairs.  Im still pretty sore in my quads after 3+ days and that wasnt helped out by the fact that the next morning (friday) my run leader took us up (and down) Observatory Hill (O-hill).  Despite being extremely sore, we made the 6 mile round trip up the mountain (tallest hill I've ever seen) with some extremely steep grades.  Lets just say afterwards that everyone was ready for the weekend.

On the academic side, we have had a couple of practice exercises and have a take home exam due on monday, two papers due this week (drafting reprimand letters and other things) and our first real exam on Thurs!  On a better note, we finally got paid!!! 

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We are quickly proceeding through the first week in Charlottesville.  Monday was a little inprocessing and meeting some staff in our big classroom with all the 181st getting assigned seats.  Im in the back corner of the room right next to two cool guys who like to laugh and even though it will definetely be DPP (death by power point as Ive been told), its been great so far and very informative.  Essentially our schedule is this:  0550 we have PT til 7.  We have divided up into run groups and M/W we have either push-up or sit-up and then about 30-45 minute run.  Fridays are long runs of 5+ miles.  Tue/ Thurs will be air assault/ airborne at that time and for those who dont get past 0 day (or who dont try out), they have student led pt those days.

After 7 we get til 0810 to be in our seats and then have power point lectures (although so far the faculty has made it fun with videos/ funny stories) with a 10 minute break every hour.  Lunch is 12:10-13:30 and then we have more lecture or seminar/practice exercises til around 1530 (3:30pm).  Then its free time to do some work or whatever you like.  We get allocated $51 a day for food (even if we dont use it we get it) so we have been eating out a lot.

Tue was weigh in and as predicted, I, along with 20 other people or so had to be taped.  If you dont make the height weight chart they have, the army then does a measuring of your neck and navel area (girls do hips as well) and they plug it into the equation to see if you are overweight.  If you are, you get to do REMEDIAL PT which is on top of your regular pt in the morning (remedial is in the afternoon at 1600).  I had to be taped but was under the required ratio (almost all athletes have to be taped because of muscle weight from what I hear and a lot of the more muscular were being taped). 

Today I thought they would take it easy on us since 0 day is tomorrow but NOOOOOO!  Besides doing a killer ab circuit this morning, we got into our run groups and today just happened to be sprint day.  My group (group 4 which is essentially a 15:40-16:10 2 mile time) jogged a mile to the track and then proceeded to do 400 meter sprints with a minute rest between each one.  Other groups did sprints/ runs up a hill.  As a sprinter, I know how bad most people will feel tomorrow in terms of soreness (and hopefully it wont effect me as bad). A lot of people who are trying out seem to be limping around with shin splints or bad heels from the boots.  My advice is to get your DSCP boots early and break them in good!

So, Im off and the next time you here from me you will here a recap of 0 day Im sure.  We have to be there, stretched and warmed up, at 4:50 am in our ACU's (army combat uniforms and boots).  Let me end with this:

Twas the night before 0 day,

and all through the dorm,

not a soldier was scurrying, because we had to be up at 4:50 in the morn.

Our ACU's were laid out on the floor with care

With hope that the cadre, would be a little fair.

And I with my knee, and others with their shins

had just figured out about the S**T we were in!!!!

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The 181st Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course arrived in Charlottesville on Friday. They’ve been training since Super Bowl Sunday at Fort Lee and are now beginning 10 ½ weeks of academic training here at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. Today was the first day of PT here at the School. As we’ve done for the last two OBC classes, MAJ Montas and I are running a few days a week with one of the run groups. We’re not the fastest group, but everyone seems motivated, anxious to enjoy themselves and to get ready to head out to their units.

This was the first day of PT for me in about 2 months. I sprained my back while shoveling some of C’ville’s record snow in December. (Nothing like throwing your back out to make it clear you’re not as young as you used to be.) It was absolutely great to get out running again – a clear, cool morning with a deep red rising sun. Beautiful!

Now it’s back to writing (and class, of course). The research paper is due in about 2 weeks, so it’s time for the final push!

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Growing up in east central Pennsylvania with a dad who was a long-time high school history teacher, it should be no surprise that Gettysburg was a regular vacation spot for my family.  In fact, visiting the battlefields and museums of Gettysburg became a kind of annual pilgrimage for us.  Over the years, the bookshelves at my parent's home have become filled with books recounting the history of the Civil War.  Perhaps the most compelling of those books are those which recount the stories told by the Soldiers themselves through the countless diaries and letters that have been preserved to tell the story of the War from the perspective of those who fought it. 

In fact, the most compelling and important stories surrounding any war are the recollections of the men and women who fought it.  In recent years, for example, one of the most popular television series of all-time, Band of Brothers, recounted the story of E Company of the Second Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division as it trained and fought in the Second World War.  The series was based upon Stephen Ambrose' book of the same name and the book was based largely upon the writings and letters of the men of Easy Company as well as interviews of the surviving men of Easy. 

Like Soldiers past, it is important for the men and women serving in the military today and particularly those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to tell their stories so that future generations can understand these wars and those who have fought in them.  For the most compelling and important stories that will be told about these wars will not be those imagined by Hollywood screenwriters who may have no real experience of the wars but rather by those who have served in uniform and who have served on the front lines.  It is important that those in the military today share their experiences of war through their writing or art or whatever other medium they choose to express themselves.  For it is through these first-hand accounts that the true story of war is told by the men and women tasked with fighting it. 

In some effort to practice what I have preached, I would like to share one of my personal poems about one of my experiences.  I encourage other men and women in uniform around the globe, whether they are or may become writers, poets, artists, screenwriters or just simply people with a story to tell, to tell those stories as they go through life so that others may understand the kinds of sacrifices they have made and the events and history they have witnessed.

At the Airport In Baltimore

An old man buys me a cup of coffee.

He reminds me of my grandfather,

Who will be waiting for me in Harrisburg.

He guessed I was in the service

By my short hair and quick walk.

He is headed to Connecticut

To spend Christmas with his daughter

Who has just made him a grandfather

For the third time.

She and her husband want him to come and live with them.

He'd like that.

He tells me his wife died a year ago

And he feels lonely.

In Connecticut, he'll spend every day with his grandchildren.

He used to teach high school,

Coach football on weekends.

His daughter has horses.

He remembers a brown pony he had as a boy in Texas.

He rode her to school, sometimes, when it was cold.

When he was nineteen,

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

He joined the Marines

And island-hopped across the South Pacific.

He tells me he sometimes dreams of his wife,

And of stepping off into dark waters to fight

On sinister islands.

He has hardly touched his coffee.

I must interrupt him and board my plane.

It climbs into the twilight.

I think of my own grandfather,

As a young man like me,

Alone and quiet in a dark jungle,

On an island near Iwo Jima.

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Wow! Phase 1 of my JAOBC training has come to an end and alot of things about the past 12 days stand out to me. First and foremost I am almost certain that 20 years from now (LORD willing Im still here) when I look back what I'll remember most is that Ft. Lee was cold as hades!! Despite the weather, Ft. Lee was an enjoyable experience. We spent three cold days in the field learning basic warrior tasks such as, first aid, requesting medevac (medical evacution), how to effectively apply camouflage to oneself and equipment, map reading/land nav, how to identify and classify UXO's (unexploded ordinance such as IED's), how to effectively use the M9 9mm pistol, and last but certainly not least how to properly use our gas masks when threatened with a chemical agent such as CS gas. (This part was terrible although it also has a suprising fun factor to it as well. I guess nothing bonds a class together better than getting gassesd collective as a group....NAME....DOB....and SOCIAL....HOOAH!). I've already began to build relationships with classmates that I think we stretch beyond our Army years/careers.  We've also gotten a real taste of PT in the army is like and I will take this opportunity to suggest to those in the 182nd JAOBC and beyond to run, run, run, and maybe more importantly "learn" how to run the proper way, especially when it comes to breathing. During phase 1 we've gotten the chance to know our cadre and I will say this...They are hard but fair...they expect alot out of us and rightfully so because as officers our soldiers will expect the most out of us. They have made it clear that they are here to help us but more importantly make sure we have a clear idea of what officership is and the duties/obligations that go along with the insignia we wear.  We arrived in C'Ville Friday afternoon (19 Feb 2010) and in-processed/checked into our rooms. We were given the weekend off and informed that on Monday (tomorrow) we will hit the ground running...literally (@0540)....Then class from about 0830 to 1730...I must admit when a LTC from JARO briefed us and exclaimed in the Army you'll get do more before 0930 than most people manage to get done in a day. You weren't lying m'am! Hooah! So now that I've settled into my home for the next 3 months I look forward to getting in great shape, learning the military side of the law, and getting to see the beautiful VA countryside. I miss my family (fiancee', mom, sister, brothers, nephews and niece [thats you mya]), my pit bull Rock Lee, my PS3 [I mean alot], joking with Wood and Kell, bothering/disagreeing with QB, and all my LB's and chapter bruhz from the Xi Beta and Rho Beta Beta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Franterinity, Inc.

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The last few days at Fort Lee went by really fast.  We did a mock PT test (2 minutes of push-ups, sit-ups, and 2 mile run).  We had to do this because the confidence course that was scheduled had to be cancelled due to weather (this is the obstacle course that we always see during basic training on television shows).  I was impressed at how good some of the athletes were (again, army athletes not power athletes :) ).  We had people getting sub 12 minute two miles (only 3 or 4 though).  We are using these run times to seperate into run groups when we get to Charlottesville so we can train with people at our speeds. 

I think what was more impressive was that some of the girls hit upwards of 70 push-ups and 65 sit-ups (it may not sound like a lot but sit down and try it right now :).  But there are also people running 19 minute 2 miles and only getting 17 or 18 push-ups so there is definetely a full spectrum. 

Mostly, the last 2 days were out processing and a lot of free time to get ready for the 1.5 hour drive to the JAOBC (Judge advocate officer basic course).The night before we left we had a social event (open bar!!!) at the officer's club at fort lee which to my surprise was a real bar with big screens and all!  That helped with the bonding but I have to say, some of the LT's and CPT's may be classified as light-weights.  But dont worry, we all had designated drivers as they wont let you even think of driving after one drink.

C-ville is awesome.  The JAG LCS (legal center and school) is awesome.  Its located directly next to the University of Virginia law school and we have rooms on top of the school (which will be good when we are waking up for PT at 5:15 instead of 5 in the morning.  These are nice dorm room/ hotel type rooms with flat screens and balcony's (for free :) ).  Some of the married individuals who have family coming to stay are staying at the residence inn (getting tons of marriot rewards pts too) and have about a 5 minute walk to get here.

We definetely got out and explored the city last night (which is great) and are heading to buffalo wild wings later tonight for some sports watching.  This week we have a lot of inprocessing and starting the admin law sections.  0 days for airborne/ air assault school is thursday which is essentially where we try out for a paid spot at airborne (only 10 slots) or air assault (only 5 slots).  Right now there is probably 50 people thinking of trying out so 0 day is essentially where they make people quit or kick them out when they cant go any farther (true muscle failure, sprints, and other exercises designed to BURN!!!).  If we clear 0 day, we get to train tue and thurs for our respective class and then have to do a 12 mile ruck (march with gear) for air assault or 5 mile run for airborne that are both timed.

Im excited about the competitive nature and pushing yourself and your team so this is going to be fun.  Im only concerned how my knee will hold up because I dont see myself breaking mentally.  Just another observation, everyone here (especially prior service) is really helpful.  Its not a competitive environment in the runs/ lifts; its more that if someone is struggling, others come to pick them up, train with them, or help them understand what they need to do.  The team mentality is great and im sure that other firms wish they have the bond that we get from doing PT, living together, and working together! 

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Yesterday was another great discussion about leadership here at the Grad Course.  Because this is more than 'just' and LL.M. program, we are spending time talking about leadership.  The goal is to make all of us more ready to take charge of our corners of the JAG Corps when we head off to our new assignments this fall.

This semester, our Professional Development Program includes a series of small group discussion with some of the senior officers on the faculty.  It's an opportunity to sit down with about a dozen classmates and talk about what we've seen in our previous assignments and what we hope to do when we get back out to the field.  In the first four weeks of discussions we've talked about: the levels of organizational leadership; authority and influence; organizational vision and culture; and team building.  The exchange of ideas and perspectives has been great; we don't always agree, and that leads to some great back and forth. 

For yesterday's discussion, I live-Twittered via my Twitter presence, @MAJGrimes.  I ran it by my group's 'mentors' and they've given me the go-ahead to do so for the next couple weeks' conversations.  So, if you're interested in what sort of thoughts go into the building of JAG Corps leaders, tune in.  To make it easy to follow, I'll be using a hashtag (#jagcldrship).  Or better yet, offer some thoughts I can share with the group!   I hope this will be an interesting opportunity for everyone involved.  Our next meeting will be on *xxxxxxxxxxx*, from 1000-1200.  Tune in!

(By the way, the hashtag I chose has some significance.  It incorporates the Judge Advocate General's Corps' initials (JAGC) with the acronym we use for the Army Values (pronounced: "leadership"): Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honesty, Integrity, and Personal Courage.)

UPDATE: Next leadership discussion (#jagcldrship) will take place on March 10th, 1000-1200.

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16 Feb. 2010—The one thing I learned today is that breathing in gas really gels the unit together. Today was the gas chamber so after PT at 5:50 we had to show up at 9 to go to the chambers. Once there, we had 4 different 45 minute stations about detecting chemical/ biological/ radioactive/ or nuclear agents, maintaining and cleaning your mask, decontaminating yourself and gear, and how to properly wear your protective gear.

After that, we got to enjoy our MRE’s and sit in the sun (as today was ridiculously cold). Luckily the vegetarian lasagna tasted exactly like spaghetti so I got it down. I usually pack a sandwich too just as a midafternoon snack as you can get hungry being out there so long. We stripped down to just our ACU’s, no gloves, no patches, no hats and some of us got masks (others had to wait for some to come out and clean theirs).

When it was finally our turn, ten would go into the chamber at a time with masks on. We ran around in a circle for about 30 seconds and a few others and me were cheering and laughing it up as the mask helped filter everything. Then we had to break the seal, put the mask back on, clear the agent out, and continue to exercise (jumping jacks). Some of my friends had trouble getting a good seal again and therefore breathed in a lot more than I did. After that we got into a line, took the mask completely off and had to yell our name and numbers out before we could exit. I got through my name before my voice sounded like I was a 95 year old smoker.

Once out, everyone cheers but you cant really see it as your eyes are watering like crazy and burning. your skin is on fire, you have snot running down your face, and you are coughing. Because the agent sticks to you, you cant rub your eyes (and believe me you want to). After about 5 minutes the effects had warn off and everyone was laughing. I don’t think anyone puked but there were some awesome stories. One of the prior service guys who is about 40 and a former ranger (real bad ass) walked through the chamber and out like it was nothing, he probably enjoyed being out of the cold and in the chamber more than being outside! Afterwards, everyone had a great bond...there is something about seeing someone at their worst (snot running, coughing, red eyes, skin burning) that brings you closer together. Considering the effects only lasted about 5 minutes at the most, it was a lot of fun and a good laughing experience!
 

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