FTAC Airmen experience court-martial

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Naomi Griego
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  New Airmen to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, whose time on base range from a few short weeks to months, had a chance to sit in the panel seats of an Air Force court room as part of a First Term Airmen Center legal training at McChord Field, Washington, September 29, 2015.

The 62nd Airlift Wing legal office's simulated court-martial program started here in May 2015, but the idea has been circulating legal offices throughout the Air Force.

Every two weeks nearly a dozen McChord Airmen, new to the Air Force and assigned to McChord as their first assignment, experience what a real court-martial is like and get to serve as the panel in a real court room.

So far 179 Airmen here have had a chance to sit in those juror-like seats.

A court-martial is the equivalent to a civilian trial, but varies depending on the type of offense.

"The purpose is to educate young Airmen and promote awareness and a culture of dignity and respect," said Capt. Josephine VanDriel, 62nd Airlift Wing Legal Office Chief of General Law. "It gives insight to the legal process and an individual's rights."

The Airmen first received a brief about their rights and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, then they moved to the panel, raised their right hands before a judge and were sworn in. Their decision in real life would determine the fate of a service member accused of a crime, but in this case, it was only a simulation.

"It was very eye opening," said Airman 1st Class Alejandro Allen, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications navigation apprentice.

Allen was one of the eight FTAC Airmen who served as panel members. The panel received evidence, listened to testimony and even heard opening and closing arguments from two Air Force attorneys. The scenario, which included actors, was played on a television for them in the court room. 
 
"It was very realistic," said Allen. "[It felt like] someone's life was in my hands."

The thought process behind the training is, it's more effective than the traditional methods used to inform new Airmen about the military justice system.

"It gives us the opportunity to correct misunderstandings [that new Airmen] may have of the law and both the legal and investigative response," VanDriel said. "The scenario allows them to analyze facts and evidence for themselves. It also helps them realize the gravity of sexual crimes ... It's much more effective than a briefing."

Justin Castleberry, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron structures apprentice, took the experience as real scenario.

"It had a very serious tone and I really put myself into the scenario as if it was a real trial," said Castleberry. "It was a good experience."