News

Tag: Legal Services

For the month of March 2017, three Airmen were discharged while several other Airmen received Article 15 nonjudicial punishments for their actions. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Kylee Thomas)

July 1, 2021

Navigating post-nonjudicial punishment (NJP) actions is understandably confusing. It is important to handle modifications to punishment correctly at the command level to ensure compliance with servicemembers’ due process rights. Keep in mind that, for many actions, a command must have an articulated reason for changing the punishment, such as a demonstrated conduct improvement or a determination that the punishment resulted in clear injustice. If a valid reason exists, there are four courses of action that NJP authorities or their successors in command can take under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 15, paragraph 6: suspension, mitigation, remission, and a set aside.

June 3, 2021

Communication is Key to Supporting Victims

A majority of sexual assault victims report feeling a lack of support from their leadership, and almost twothirds of victims report experiencing a behavior in line with retaliation. As a former Staff Judge Advocate, these numbers did not reflect my experiences advising Navy commands.

Tricare Prime beneficiaries referred by their primary care manager for specialty services at a location more than 100 miles from their provider's office may be eligible to have their travel expenses reimbursed by Tricare at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Beneficiaries must have a valid referral and travel orders prior to traveling and file an official claim upon their return. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal)

May 3, 2021

Fighting Fraud And Bad Deals: Consumer and Financial Protection for Service Members

Service members, military retirees, and their families are sadly not immune from consumer and financial fraud and are often directly targeted. High mobility, a steady government paycheck with publicly available information on salaries, BAH, etc., by rank and location, and other factors contribute to bad actors seeking to take advantage of service members and their families. According to the Federal Trade Commission, military members reported higher median loses from consumer fraud - including identity theft and imposter scams - than civilians.

March 11, 2021

Tax Season 2021: What You Need to Know

Washington — The Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing tax year 2020 federal returns on Feb. 12, 2021.

9th ESB Marines and sailors cut several sections of detonating cord to be used as the main line during the training Feb. 16.

March 3, 2021

Cutting the Cord & Contracts Abroad

Forgot to cancel a cell, internet, or TV contract before moving overseas?

In 2011, the Texas Legislature expanded Chapter 8 of the Texas Family Code by increasing the amount of post-divorce support that a spouse may be entitled to receive from the other spouse and extending the length of time that he or she may receive that support. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Dorothy Lonas/Released)

Feb. 2, 2021

Divorcing in the U.S. While Overseas

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a Uniform Code of Divorce Law? Like the Uniform Code of Military Justice? One set of rules governing divorce from San Diego, to Sasebo, to Sigonella?

A submarine sails in blue waters as an adult and four young children watch and wave from the shore.

Jan. 20, 2021

Are You Prepared to Deploy/PCS? A Legal Readiness Cheat-Sheet

A critical part of deployment readiness is being ready-to-go at a moment’s notice, and that includes being legally prepared. Trying to resolve personal legal issues from overseas or while deployed is not just difficult,

Base housing tenant’s rights are governed under District of Columbia and the Servicemebers Civil Relief Act. Individuals should know these rights when dealing with housing issues, including possible eviction. The most common reason for eviction from base housing is failure to pay rent. For more information on tenant rights or to schedule a legal assistance appointment, call the Bolling office at (202) 767-5297. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Dec. 1, 2020

Storage Lien Enforcement & Eviction Protections

The Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a must-know federal law providing legal protections and benefits to Service Members.

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Tax season is here, and it is important to file your claims correctly with the right information. The tax center is here to help; its hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim)

Jan. 28, 2019

Tax Season: What You Need to Know

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Free-File Options

Legal Website - Ethics, Gifts and Holiday Season

Nov. 14, 2018

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Ethics Counselor —Holiday Ethics

‘Tis the season to consult your Ethics Counselor! Below are some issues that come up annually during the holidays. See Page 8 for a discussion on NFEs and BOOFOOs.

Jan. 23, 2018

Navy’s 2018 VITA Program is Open for Business

Valid identification for taxpayer/s...

The Hill Air Force Base Tax Center, located at building 349, room 101, will open Feb. 13 and will remain open until tax day, April 15.

Jan. 23, 2018

Income Tax Frequently Asked Questions

When does tax season start and end? Persons residing within the United States: The tax season begins Jan. 29. For resident aliens and U.S. citizens residing within the United States, the filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, rather than the traditional April 15 date. Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day on that Monday, which pushes the deadline to the next day for most of the nation. Persons residing within the United States can request a 6-month extension.

Airman 1st Class Adande Andrade, 51st Fighter Wing Judge Advocate's general law paralegal, notarizes a document for a client at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2012. The legal office acts as the main adviser to senior leadership on disciplinary actions, fundraisers, base events or any topics that need a legal review before decisions are made. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Battles)

Nov. 17, 2016

Special Power of Attorney

Sailor readiness has always been a top priority for commands throughout the fleet. When gearing up for deployment or traveling overseas, most Sailors require legal assistance in the form of a special power of attorney.

July 28, 2016

Navy Releases New Online Legal Assistance Resources

The Naval Legal Service Command recently unveiled new online legal resources for those eligible for military legal assistance.

Service members and Defense Department civilians swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. It doesn’t matter who is elected or what party that person represents. DOD personnel will follow the lawful orders of the commander in chief. (Shutterstock photo)

April 1, 2016

Avoiding Political Pitfalls This Election Season

It’s election season. So, what does that mean for you as an active-duty service member? One of our most important obligations of citizenship is casting a ballot and making our voices heard by voting. The Department of Defense encourages all members of the Armed Forces to register and vote.

Preston, 30th Space Wing courthouse facility dog, waits for court to begin at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Dec. 4, 2019. Preston is the only certified courthouse facility dog in the entire Department of Defense; some of Preston’s duties include providing support to victims and witnesses while working at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office at Vandenberg AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

March 30, 2016

Lending a helping paw to the legal community

The Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW), located in Bremerton, Wash., has pioneered a program within the Navy’s legal community. Recently, the military justice department at RLSO Northwest began using canines to comfort victims and witnesses through the criminal trial process.

March 11, 2016

Staying Out of Trouble During March Madness

Mid-March generally brings to mind warmer temperatures, longer days, and perhaps a little luck o’ the Irish. For many sports fans, it also marks the beginning of one of the most wonderful times of the year: the NCAA March Madness Tournament!

A federal notary seal signifies official completion of a will Oct. 8, 2019, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The judge advocate office regularly aids retirees and military members with wills on Tuesdays. This free legal assistance provides personal and financial relief for customers and enables Airman readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erick Requadt)

April 28, 2015

Power of attorney: Which one do I need?

After nearly a decade and a half of war, service members and their spouses are likely familiar with general powers of attorney. The most common type of power of attorney is a durable, general power of attorney. This document transfers nearly every legal right a person has to another individual. Durable means the document survives even if you are incapacitated for some reason (e.g. in a coma in a hospital).

Feb. 25, 2015

Legal Services for Crime Victims

Navy Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) provide eligible victims of a military sexual offenses with a dedicated attorney to help them understand the investigation and military justice process, safeguard their legal rights and interests, advocate on their behalf, and obtain additional support in accessing resources that may assist in their recovery.

Feb. 18, 2015

Five Things You Need to Know about Retaliation

Retaliation is harmful action against someone for something they did or said. It includes ostracism and is often described as professional or social. Retaliation is a violation of the UCMJ....

July 24, 2012

A Focus on Legal Representation Outside the Courtroom

Although providing courts-martial representation is commonly seen as the primary role of legal defense departments, defense counsel spend a great deal of their time on administrative sep...

Autocross cars line up before a race, Aug. 17, 2019, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The Mississippi Region of the Sport Cars Club of America holds the event on base once a quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jake Jacobsen)

Feb. 28, 2012

Spot Delivery Car Sales

This article is not a substitute for individual legal advice and readers are advised that they should consult a lawyer to obtain proper advice for any legal issue. The most common car purchase pr...