JBSA-Randolph legal office wins AETC Award

Over the last year, members of the 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group Office of Staff Judge Advocate at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph have had to adjust to several changes, including several of their personnel being called to temporary duty.

Despite those changes, the 502nd SFLSG/JA legal office continued to perform their duties with distinction, including providing legal assistance to active-duty service members and retirees, prosecuting criminal cases and participating in community outreach programs.

Members of the 502nd SFLSG/JA legal team were recognized for their efforts by being selected as the 2015 Air Education and Training Command Outstanding Legal Office of the Year in the small office category.

Maj. Todd Swensen, 502nd SFLSG/JA acting staff judge advocate, said the award was well deserved for the 15-member legal office.

“We have worked very hard in the office,” Swensen said. “With a lot of turnover and changes during 2015, our office was good at being flexible, picking up other jobs we don’t normally do and stepping in for each other. A lot of extra hours were worked because of the personnel changes.”

The AETC award is based on three criteria: accomplishments, office leadership and professional development and base and community involvement and outreach.

The 502nd SFLSG/JA legal office puts together wills and estate planning for active-duty service members and retirees, works on cases involving issues with civilian employees at JBSA-Randolph and provides legal advice for the leaders of the 502nd SFLSG, 12th Flying Training Wing and JBSA-Randolph tenant units including the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Recruiting Service and AETC.

In addition, the members of the legal office worked on cases involving courts martial, discharges, Article 15s, prosecuted several cases in federal magistrate court, including assaults and drug possession, and investigated accidents involving Air Force trainees.

The 502nd SFLSG/JA legal office also worked with the 12th FTW on issues concerning development and encroachment near JBSA-Randolph.

Within and outside the JBSA-Randolph community, the legal office helped set up the IRS tax center to help active-duty members and retirees with their income tax filings. Office paralegals did volunteer work for the San Antonio Legal Aid Clinic, providing pro bono assistance for clients in need.

Other community activities included putting on a law day at Randolph High School with 250 students attending to learn about the functions of the legal office, giving tours to local high school students of the 502nd SFLSGJA legal office and courtroom located in the Taj Mahal and holding mock trials for students in the court room.

 “We think it’s important to reach out and educate the public and school children on military law and what we do in the military,” Swensen said. “We get lots of high schools and home school programs that reach out to us and who want us to come and educate them about military law.”

Until May, the 502nd SFLSG/JA office was led by Lt. Col. Justin Trumbo, 502nd SFLSG staff judge advocate who is retiring.

Col. Polly Kenny, AETC staff judge advocate, said the 502nd SFLSGJA legal office received the award because of their ability to work together to serve their clients and the Air Force.

“They are a fantastic group that works really well together to help execute the mission of JBSA and the 12 FTW,” Kenny said.

Kenny said members of the legal office provided legal assistance to 2,600 clients, including active-duty service members, family members and retirees, and drew up 540 wills, saving clients $526,000 in legal fees.

The JBSA-Randolph legal office was also active in the community by chairing the JBSA-Randolph Retiree Appreciation Day, benefiting 250 retirees, and teaming up with the Federal Bar Association to host a continuing legal education seminar in which 30 civilian, military and Department of Defense attorneys were able to meet their licensure requirements, Kenny said.