Volume XVI, Issue II
June 2002
WARRIOR-ATTORNEYS: WYLD JAG Reservists Participate in Operation Enduring Freedom
Americans watched the World Trade Center towers collapse and collectively felt a wide range of emotions during the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy. Washington’s young lawyers were no different. However, there were some whose family lives and professional careers were impacted more than the average Washington young lawyer. Those were the approximately 35 members of the WSBA who are reserve Judge Advocates (JAGs) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
The typical reservist spends a weekend every month shooting, marching, and drilling. In addition to typical military duties, a JAG’s responsibilities include advising commanders on legal issues ranging from base administration to the law of war, prosecuting or acting as defense counsel in administrative law proceedings, or providing general legal assistance to a soldier, sailor, or airman. This is the case for JAGs in all branches of the Service, according to former WYLD President, Tom Quinlan, a Captain in the United States Army Reserve’s Judge Advocate General Corps, now serving with the 6th JAG Detachment.
Before September 11, Quinlan’s typical weekend drill involved a day working with a team of lawyers who provide legal assistance to reservists and military retirees at Fort Lewis. The Army Reserve JAGs may see two dozen or more clients in a day with needs ranging from the preparation of a will or power of attorney to an explanation of the client’s rights in a complex litigation case. On the other drill day, Quinlan would make legal “house calls” to several different army reserve units located throughout the region.
“I think I have the best duty assignment in my unit,” says Quinlan. “As a Legal Liaison Officer to soldiers in other units, I have literally had an opportunity to meet and advise hundreds of soldiers about the laws designed to protect them in the event of a call to active duty or assist them with their personal legal issues.” Recently, the Washington lawyers of the 6th JAG Detachment were recognized for their exemplary service to the military community by their receipt of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff Award for outstanding legal assistance at Fort Lewis and its innovative legal liaison program.
According to WYLD Trustee, Adam Torem, another reserve Captain, the Air Force JAG experience is no different. Prior to September 11, Torem did the normal reserve routine of a two-week tour on active duty plus twelve individual "inactive training days" each fiscal year. Typically, Torem’s reserve duties include serving as the legal advisor to discharge boards and the investigating officer for Article 32 administrative disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, Torem conducts a divorce clinic addressing the military client and/or soon-to-be ex about how to participate in the dissolution process without incurring substantial legal fees.
During Operation Enduring Freedom, Torem experienced an increase in demands for duties. He was recruited to help out the Air National Guard at the Western Area Defense Sector, which is located on McChord Air Force Base. This required longer work shifts and a few weekends living in base housing.
While willing to serve, many reservists are anxious about being called to active duty. After all, a call to active duty may involve separation from family, travel overseas, and being taken away from a civilian law office and practice. Despite such adversities, Washington young lawyer Dominique Jinhong, an Army Reserve JAG Captain, volunteered. Jinhong says, “I was transitioning from practicing as a deputy prosecutor in Pierce County. The office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Lewis needed JAGs to augment the existing active duty staff. My decision to be involved was a no-brainer.” Jinhong and other JAGs have been busy processing Fort Lewis soldiers preparing to deploy as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, America’s war on terrorism.
Jinhong initially joined the Reserves to fulfill a life long dream of serving in the military and says, “For me, volunteering to go active was an easy choice. I already had a strong sense of patriotism and after the attacks of September 11th, I really wanted to do more.” Active duty for reservists involves filling positions at posts and providing pre-deployment services to soldiers. “I'm happy and excited to be a part of this very historical time,” states Jinhong.
While not on active duty, the same has been true for Quinlan and Torem. “I conducted deployment briefings and prepared soldiers’ estate plans for units deploying or preparing to deploy to active duty for four straight weekends, plus a week day since September 11. I, and others like me, were scheduled to conduct similar briefings to different units for every drill weekend through February,” states Quinlan. He and other Army Reserve JAGs, according to Quinlan’s estimates, will provide pre-deployment legal assistance to 900 reservists. Torem’s Air Force experience and expectations are similar.
Asked if they would alter their decision to be reserve JAGs faced with the extra work required since September 11 and the possibility of being called to active duty, Quinlan, Jinhong and Torem concluded that they would not change a thing. “Many people wanted to do something to help the September 11 victims and the country,” states Quinlan, “I am lucky that I have been able do something by doing what I love--meeting people and being a lawyer.”
Article submitted by Kathleen V. Shoemaker. Kathleen is an attorney with Nagler & Associates in Washington, practicing in bankruptcy and debtor/creditor matters.
See Also
Back to table of contents >>
