ADC provides legal representation for Airmen in AOR

Published April 11, 2008
By 2nd Lt. Tania Bryan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When deployed Airmen find themselves in legal trouble, the first thing they can do is contact the Expeditionary Area Defense Counsel's office.

"An Area Defense Counsel is an advocate for Airmen facing disciplinary issues and court-martials," said Capt. Scott Jansen, ADC. "We counsel clients, and, other than a chaplain, we are the only people Airmen can turn to for confidential legal advice and representation."

The ADC zealously defends Airmen when they might be in trouble; counsels and explains why they are in trouble as well as how to get and stay out of trouble; and serves as their voice to commanders, first sergeants, and supervisors, the captain said.

Just like ADC offices at home stations, the shop here was set up to be separate from the legal office and wing command structure so lawyers have the independence to represent clients without any conflicts of interest or questions about their loyalties.

"I am able to communicate to command leadership that actions taken against my client may be unfair, unjust or inappropriate without fear of receiving a poor performance report or any other negative action," he said.

Two years ago, Air Force members in the U.S. Central Command area of operations had to call on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to get legal representation. After the initial stand-up of ADCs in the AOR, Capt. Charles Hebner became the first to be permanently stationed here and has worked since July to broaden the reach of the office to meet the ever-increasing needs of the clients. He has traveled extensively throughout the AOR supporting Airmen. Now, there are two ADCs in the Middle East, which enables a quicker and more personal response to clients.

"Here, we've got great logistics and infrastructure support, quick access to mobility, and we're in the same or very close time zone as our deployed clients," said Captain Hebner. "We've been able to capitalize on [these resources] to quickly respond to many missions downrange and give Airmen the same standard of care that their home station ADC provides. We're now the 'local' ADC office, and with the deployed high-ops tempo, we can handle the volume of clients without missing a beat."

Living and serving in a deployed environment gives the ADC the credibility to argue to commanders and first sergeants that they understand how life is in the AOR, said Captain Hebner. "We can actually see the field locations first-hand ... and there's nothing like being able to say that you really have lived in the tent or actually worked at their location."

Having worked in the career field for more than 10 years, defense paralegal Staff Sgt. Pamela Mitchell says the ADC is always available to help.

"Our priority is taking care of deployed Airmen," she said. "We work for the people and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions."

When the ADC is "on the road," the defense paralegal is the hub for all defense matters in the AOR.

"It really is a blessing to have a hard working, dependable [non-commissioned officer] keeping everything squared away, especially when we're downrange," Captain Hebner said. "Sergeant Mitchell is the ideal combination of organization, compassion and determination to make sure we give our full effort to accomplishing the EADC mission: Defending Those Who Defend America."

Deployed ADC