Judge Advocate General

A great leadership discussion on Wednesday has led to more ... and less.  I was very excited to share some of my small-group leadership discussion with the rest of the world on Wednesday.  We were talking about the challenges of leading warrant officers, enlisted paralegals, and civilians as part of our series of seminar discussion about leadership in the JAG Corps.  (I used the #jagcldrship hashtag, so you can check out the discussion on Twitter -- and keep it going.)  The big take-away from the discussion was that there was a lot of uncertainty in the room about the role of our warrant officers, our legal administrators.  The judge advocates in the room all had some assumptions about what legal administrators should and shouldn't be responsible for, but our collective experiences lacked any sort of coherence in terms of actually understanding their role.  On paper, the guidance available doesn't seem to provide much actual guidance, and a few bad experiences have colored much of our judgment of legal administrators, generally.

As expected, there wasn't much participation in the conversation via Twitter.  Part of that was my fault - I was using TweetDeck from my laptop and kept posting from the wrong account and dropping the hashtag; being involved in the conversation in the room kept me from complete focus on the (limited) technical requirements of writing it down.  Part of it was a lack of interest, awareness, or time to participate -- really, of the handful of people reading this blog, how many have time to stop what they're doing on Wednesday morning for an hour and tune into Twitter?  But we did get a few comments (most of which didn't include the hashtag, so they won't show up in the hashtag link above).  And more important, the discussion was available to read long after the conversation was over.

Yesterday, I got an email from a friend of mine (warrant officer in the JAG Corps) who said she was interested in the leadership discussion on Twitter.  It was clear to her that I/we didn't really have a good grasp of the warrant officers' role in the JAG Corps. She offered to school me - and I've taken her up on it.  Even better, she's sent that conversation on to some other warrant officers within our Corps and I think our little one-hour discussion on Wednesday is going to be a catalyst for some re-thinking about where we are the JAGC, whether our actual "corporate culture" matches our hopes and expectations.  I know I need to know more, and I suspect I'm not the only one who will get some value out of the larger discussion that's started.

But there is a downside.  (But at least it's a pretty minor one.)  While that was the first of our leadership discussions I'd planned to live-Twitter, it will unfortunately be the last.  Sharing what's happening here at school via Twitter (or this blog) is ok; doing so during class, not so much.  So, going forward, I'll recap the conversations as accurately as possible and will share them here.  But this means that YOU have a bigger contribution to make!  Instead of just 'listening' to me write or tweet about leadership, we need to actually have a conversation.  Leave a comment here, or, better yet, comment on Twitter.  Just remember the hashtag (#jagcldrship)!

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Well, for those who were waiting for last week's leadership discussion, I apologize.  A last-minute trip to the doctor for some recurring low-back pain kept me out of school for the day.  Luckily, leadership training continues!  Today we'll be tackling: Leading Legal Administrators, Paralegals, and Civilians.  This should be an interesting discussion - particularly as regards civilians. 

I'll be live-Twittering the discussion, using the #jagcldrship hashtag.  Feel free to listen in or -- even better! -- add to the discussion.  We'll be starting at about 10:15 (in just 30 minutes!) and it will last about an hour (or a little more).  Come check it out.

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This past week has seen a lot more classroom with all the focus now on Criminal law.  We are breezing our way through the UCMJ and the other 8 books we've been assigned and there is A LOT of lecture.  We've been assigned our trial memo which is supposedly going to take 10-15 hours to complete, but having done one before, and this one only being 3 pages long, I would say more like 2-3 hours (although it does count for 50% of our criminal law grade).

We started our "experiment" with run group 4 on Monday and it was WAY better than normal PT training.  We immediately went with our Colonel and did our own PT which consisted of pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups (in that order) with sets being 1  2  3 reps (in the order specified earlier this sentence),  2  4  6 reps, 3  6  9 reps,  4 8 12 reps....10, 20, 30 reps.  We used a partner and were supposed to go to muscle failure.  I luckily got paired up with a former army ranger who is in great shape and he and I made it up to the 10th set in 13 minutes and then back down to the 6 set when we were told we could stop as most of the group had reached muscle failure. 

The next day, Chief was gone so air assault met up with airborne who was supposed to run o-hill but instead did a 5.5 mile run at our own pace.  Later that day we learned that Thurs and Fri were going to take a diagnostic PT test.   We informed Colonel of this to try to get an easier Wed workout but he just laughed and said "its just a diagnostic."  Regardless, the majority of our run group didnt have to show up for the Wed workout as they were doing their test on Thurs.  The 4 of us who remained got a mixture of 400 yard sprints with 50 squats between each one and no rest. On Thurs, group 1 took their test and came back with an average of 252 (a recent JAG school record which isnt bad for 50 + lawyers ranging in age from 25-40.  My platoon went on Friday and got the luck of having to test in the rain (as it had rained all night and during the test).  I personally hit 87 push-ups and 77 sit-ups in 2 minutes, and a 15:20 two mile in (which is easily a personal best if you haven't read my earlier posts about hating distance running).  Our average was 248 which was good considering we were soaked and there are 2  90 degree turns on this track.  It was more like running a steeple chase as you were sometimes ankle deep in water.  

Later that night we had our first formal, our Blues reception.  Everyone was in their Army Service Uniforms and had to go through the meet and greet line (which was remarkably fast considering there was over 160 people in that line to meet the 2 honored guests).  The best part about it was there were tasty beverages upstairs and down.  It was a great time, til all of it was gone, and we couldnt leave for about 30 more minutes.  Although, that little break didnt stop the 181st class from basically invading a bar about an hour later with over 50 of us!     

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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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