LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
The room falls to a hush as Capt. Kenneth Imo stands up, checking his notes before stepping around his desk and preparing to speak.
This is his moment of truth.
He can lie, bend or twist the law to get his way, cheat the case and win for himself, or he can employ the law as it was intended, retain his honor and defend his client.
Captain Imo is one of hundreds of Judge Advocate Generals Air Force-wide who must make a daily choice to follow the core values in their work; all confident that by doing so, they preserve a justice system vital to the American way of life and all U.S. global military operations.
“The law is so deeply ingrained in everything we do these days,” said Col. Eric Rissling, the 1st Fighter Wing Staff Judge Advocate. “We’re involved with environmental, labor, operations, ethics, contracts and claims laws, defense for organizations and persons ... lawyers have to know how all legal aspects affect the mission.
JAGs are well known for personnel prosecution and defense in courts martial, but they also spent a lot of time advising commanders on legality of operations big and small.
“We help commanders keep discipline and standards,” said Colonel Rissling. “We advise them on how the legal tools work for them, because without justice and a system that is understood and trusted, the Airmen are affected negatively.”
Knowing the law intimately is important to JAGs. Without that familiarity, it can be difficult for them to effectively work a case.
“Our job is to know the law, and with knowledge comes power,” said Captain Imo. “It’s our responsibility to uphold the law, rather than taking advantage of it.”
Each case is important to uphold the individual and the justice system itself, said Captain Imo. “Military justice is a system we all should hold in high regard.”
The core values are important to JAGs for several reasons. They need them to properly employ the law as well as remaining examples in such a sensitive position, because when a JAG messes up, it’s news.
JAGs are not only expected to know the law, said Captain Imo, but they’re expected to follow it to a higher degree. “JAGs are the tips of the spear in excellence and failures in leadership.”
Integrity is a vital element of law, agreed Colonel Rissling, Captain Imo and Capt. Bryan Memmott.
“Integrity is everything,” said Captain Memmott. “If people don’t trust me, the whole system breaks down. This isn’t a game, because things we do affect peoples’ lives, work, careers ... we have to be very careful and always 100 percent above board.”