Dusting the books off: Liberty Legal holds Military Justice Seminar Published Feb. 13, 2008 By Capt. Alysia Harvey 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs chief ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing Legal office recently conducted a seminar to educate commanders and first sergeants about the military justice process, keep them up-to-date on recent developments, and provide an opportunity for questions and discussions on military justice related matters. The five-hour Military Justice seminar, is held annually, and consisted of briefings on search and seizure and Article 31 rights, command-directed mental health evaluations, the Drug Demand Reduction Program, foreign criminal jurisdiction, the Article 15 or administrative discharge and court-martial processes, as well as comments from the local Area Defense Counsel staff. Brig. Gen. John Hesterman, 48th Fighter Wing commander, briefly addressed the group, stressing the importance of the seminar and encouraging everyone present to use the base legal office. "Talk to your teammates in JA [the base legal office] and listen to them carefully," said General Hesterman. "Treat everyone the same; be fair and equitable because the decision you make will resonate through your unit and it's important to let your Airmen know what you will tolerate and what you won't." Capt. Suzanne Stephenson, 48th FW chief of military justice, echoed the general's sentiments. "These seminars are important because our military justice system is commander driven," said Captain Stephenson, who was also a seminar briefer. "It is, therefore, important for commanders to be educated about the process and informed on new developments. It is also a good opportunity for commanders and first sergeants to ask questions and raise issues." Master Sgt. Patrick Piazza, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, was a first-time attendee, and said the most valuable portion of the seminar for him was the discussions on the letter of reprimand, letter of counseling and Article 15 processes to include no contact orders and no drinking orders. "These are some of the unfortunate things first sergeants have to deal with," said Sergeant Piazza, adding that the seminars are important to ensure everyone is on the same page, and that leadership is doing things the same across the wing. "It also reminds us of things we might not see often, but are important when they come up." Attendees were equipped with several tools to make the right decisions, including a magazine on "street" drugs and the book, Military Command and the Law, which contains seventeen chapters of information on a variety of topics from quality force management and non-judicial punishment to ethics issues and environmental law. "This seminar is absolutely worthwhile because if we do it right, we will have to do it less often," concluded General Hesterman. The next seminar is scheduled for January or February 2009. For more information, contact the 48 Fighter Wing Legal Office at 226-3553.