McChord Field houses unique legal system

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Whether it's a court martial, a Uniform Code of Military Justice violation or a personal power of attorney, Team McChord handles several types of legal business.

On McChord Field alone, there are three separate organizations that handle legal matters: the 62nd Airlift Wing Judge Advocate office, the Area Defense Counsel and the McChord Field Legal Assistance Office.

"Often times, people know what services they need, but they're unsure which office provides that specific service," said Travis Woodall, McChord Field Legal Assistance Office.

The Judge Advocate office is made up of civilians, enlisted Airmen and officers. Their responsibilities include adverse actions, operations law, civil law, claims and legal assistance.

"We represent the Air Force and the government's interests," said Capt. Andrea Hunwick, 62nd Airlift Wing Judge Advocate chief of adverse actions and operations law.

The office is located at 100 Col. Joe Jackson Blvd. Suite 3031 and can be reached at (253) 982 - 5512.

The staff handles Air Force issues from the prosecution side. Some of the most common situations they work with include Article 15s, discharge cases and other UCMJ related crimes.

"In most cases, the first sergeant goes to the attorney assigned to their specific squadron with a problem or an issue," said Captain Hunwick. "From there, we do everything we can to investigate all allegations completely."

According to Captain Hunwick, sometimes issues are brought to the office's attention following an incident or a specific crime on base.

"If security forces notifies us of an incident involving an Airman on base, we begin the process," said Captain Hunwick. "But we only work with Airmen. We have no jurisdiction over civilians."

While the Judge Advocate office represents the Air Force, the Area Defense Counsel's office represents the individual Airman.

"We work as the defense, specifically for the individual clients," said Tech. Sgt. Marc Henderson, Area Defense Counsel defense paralegal.

The office is located at 100 Col. Joe Jackson Blvd. Suite B135 and can be reached at (253) 982 - 2240.

The ADC primarily represents Active Duty Airmen. They also provide limited services to certain members of the National Guard and Reservists on active duty orders. The ADC does not represent civilians, retirees or dependents.

"We provide a service to the Airman," said Sergeant Henderson. "We assist them with legal representation and help in preparing for and responding to any administrative or punitive action they're facing."

The two-person office works directly with Airmen on matters such as UCMJ proceedings and adverse administrative actions.

"We do everything we can to assist, inform and represent our clients," said Sergeant Henderson.

Aside from the ADC and judge advocate services offered only to Airmen, the McChord Field Legal Assistance Office provides notary service and legal assistance.

"Our office provides individual, personal support," said Mr. Woodall. "We handle issues in a personal capacity, rather than a professional capacity."

The office is located at 100 Col. Joe Jackson Blvd. Suite 1032 and can be reached at (253) 982 - 5513.

The civilian-operated office provides services to Active duty servicemembers, dependants, retirees, deploying contractors and civilians, Reservists and National Guardsman on active duty orders for a period no less than 30 days and future servicemembers awaiting Basic Training.

"Our office focuses on personal legal matters such as wills and divorce counseling," said Mr. Woodall. "We also handle other legal matters that involve a power of attorney."

According to Mr. Woodall, the legal assistance office offers help in a personal capacity, the ADC represents individuals facing official action and the judge advocate offers Air Force mission support.

"The way that the legal community is arranged at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is very unique because joint basing is still a relatively unique concept," said Mr. Woodall. "This installation has every legal service one needs, the tricky part is figuring out which office provides the service that you need."