On March 22, 2024, MAJ Jeremy Watford delivered a presentation on behalf of the National Counterterrorism Center to a group of international field-grade officers as part of DIILS’s Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism (LCT) resident course. The four-week LCT course explores effective means for combating terrorism within the rule of law, with an emphasis on interagency cooperation. MAJ Watford’s lecture, titled “The Lessons of 9/11,” covered the evolution of intelligence collection authorities post-9/11 and intelligence sharing and dissemination practices across U.S. government agencies.

It’s not every day that you see an Army promotion ceremony in front of a captured narco-sub.  Congratulations to 1LT John Inkeles on his promotion to CPT!  CPT Inkeles is serving an eight-month Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) tour from the 151st LOD to Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS) and the Southernmost OSJA. Last year JIATFS was responsible for the interdiction of over 300 metric tons of cocaine worth over $13 Billion. Congratulations Shipmate!

On 26 April 2026, members of the 2ID OSJA conducted an off-site LPD event at the Icheon Landing Memorial and Museum. Over 45 members of the Warrior Legal Team received a private tour detailing General MacArthur’s bold amphibious assault that turned the tide of the Korean War. Following the LPD, 2ID OSJA personnel enjoyed a nightcap at Incheon SSG Landers Field where the Landers beat Suwon’s KT Wiz 5-3.

On 26 April 2026, members of the 2ID OSJA conducted an off-site LPD event at the Icheon Landing Memorial and Museum. Over 45 members of the Warrior Legal Team received a private tour detailing General MacArthur’s bold amphibious assault that turned the tide of the Korean War. Following the LPD, 2ID OSJA personnel enjoyed a nightcap at Incheon SSG Landers Field where the Landers beat Suwon’s KT Wiz 5-3.

Happy 116th Birthday to the Army Reserve!  MG Deborah Kotulich, OCAR Deputy Chief of Staff, cuts the Army Reserve Birthday cake with CW5 Joe Wiltz and SSG Victoria Clowers, OCAR paralegal.

4ID DIVARTY's Brigade Legal Team conducted a "dark" AR 15-6 investigation to test analog systems and processes during 4th Infantry Division's Ivy Sting III field exercise. The legal team conducted a complete investigation, utilizing witnesses with scripts, and stimulated the 4ID DIVARTY Staff to conduct justice missions in the field. After completing the investigation and receiving the legal review through runners, the battery command team executed non-judicial punishment on a humvee. The legal team will use lessons learned to be better prepared for future conflicts where comms and digital resources may not be available.

CPT Alex Brink (left) advises the battery command team (1SG Kyereme Kofi and CPT Jacob Planchon) on the results of the AR 15-6 investigation, legal review, and command options to address the notional misconduct. 

Ivy Gunners! 

The Army National Guard Trial Defense Service conducted the Defense Counsel and Paralegal (DCP) 201 course in Tucson, Arizona from 15-19 April 2024. Attendees are nominated by their Senior & Regional Defense Counsels, and selected by the Office of the Chief. The DCP 201 builds on the lessons from the DCP 101 course. Students sharpen their advocacy skills by participating in mock board proceedings, to include administrative separation, administrative reduction, and withdrawal of federal recognition. Students are assigned specific roles as counsel and paralegals in adversarial proceedings, and litigate cases before a mock board panel.

Soldiers from the 134th & 174th LOD attended the 2024 Annual Weapons Qualification at Fort Liberty, NC. During the AWQ both LOD's attended the EST, ACFT and range.

All photos were taken by the 134th LOD's PAO: PFC Dawn Riley

SSG Victoria Clowers, paralegal at the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve and the youngest Soldier at OCAR, cut the USAR Birthday cake with MG Deborah Kotulich, Deputy Chief of Army Reserve and CW5 Joe Wiltz. Happy 116th Birthday Army Reserve!

On Sunday, 7 April 2024, members of the Army National Guard Trial Defense Service and Special Victim's Counsel completed the Norwegian Foot March (NFM). The NFM is a 30k foot march in which participants must carry a minimum 25-pound ruck and complete it within certain timeframes based on age and gender. Pictured top left: SSG David Murn (TDS), bottom: SFC Laura Davis (TDS) and LTC Donna Ridgel (SVC). All three completed the foot march with a qualifying time to earn the NFM badge. Pictured top right: amazing volunteers of the event handing out popsicle sticks. 

On 26 April 2024, LTC Brad Cowan, CJA Medical Readiness Command East, spoke about recent changes to the UCMJ during a Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month Leadership Panel sponsored by the Medical Readiness Brigade, National Capital Region (MRB-NCR) at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Also pictured are COL Kevin Mahoney (MRB-NCR Commander), CSM Scott Pierce (MRB-NCR CSM), and Dr. Tianna Bynum (Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Program Director). 

On Saturday, 20 April, the Fort Bliss OSJA (along with family and friends) celebrated Earth Day by collaborating with the Texas Department of Transportation to organize a highway cleanup through the TX DoT Adopt-A-Hwy initiative. The Fort Bliss OSJA “Cleanup Crew” (composed of about 30 volunteers) gathered over 60 bags of debris in their efforts to keep El Paso beautiful!

In a HUGE win for the JAG Corps, SGT Kayla Lazaro, Paralegal NCO, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, reenlisted on 19 April. Joined by members of the Fort Sill OSJA, SGT Lazaro (pictured front row, fifth from right) swore her oath on top of Mount Scott, located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge adjacent to Fort Sill. It's been a big month for SGT Lazaro, who promoted to SGT on 1 April. Congrats to SGT Lazaro and her Family!

On April 13, the 87th LOD HQ team hiked up part of The Living Room Trail in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was a beautiful day, with fantastic views and company.  Pictured left to right: LTC John Rodriguez, LTC Jack Patten, COL Peter Vernon Lee, SGT Karlena Heward, CW2 Chris Hughes, SGT Bradley Correa, and SSG Luis Rivera.