LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Langley's Legal Office may be small, but its mission is big.
Services extend beyond the local Air Force community, to all military branches, Guardsmen, Reservists, retirees and dependents.
They process a variety of legal affairs categorized into two sections: General Law and Military Justice. These affairs range from fund-raiser requests and wills, to cases involving Letters of Reprimand and Articles 15.
"We don't take our responsibilities lightly," said Airman Lyndsey Mixon, General Law paralegal and Langley Tax Center coordinator. "Since we work for all (military) branches and their dependents, it can be incredibly busy; however, our office is close-knit, so we learn each other's strengths to work as a team to get the job done."
Airman Mixon is in charge of real estate claims, fund-raiser requests, reports-of-survey, wills, powers-of-attorney, tort claims and coordination efforts for the tax center. After she conquers the ins and outs of General Law, she will rotate into Military Justice.
Airmen rotate every one to 2 years between sections, said Airman Mixon.
According to Senior Airman Rona Franco, Military Justice paralegal and Articles 15 clerk, Military Justice is about holding people accountable for their actions, ensuring justice is served in a swift and timely manner. It also encompasses Articles 15, LORs, administrative discharges, courts-marital and any other disciplinary action.
General Law and Military Justice work hand-in-hand with the Victim Witness Assistance Program. General Law Airmen lend assistance to victims, where as Military Justice Airmen guide victims as the case progresses.
"During courts-martial or Articles 15 cases, it's our job as a part of VWAP to cater to the witness or victim and keep them informed of all news about their case," said Airman Mixon. "We give them guidance and, in a sense, 'hold their hand' to make sure they're OK."
The legal office also provides walk-in legal assistance, notaries and legal reviews. If a client cannot make it to the office, legal representatives travel to the client's location. Representatives also visit base units twice a week to offer legal assistance and information on wills. The visits are an opportunity for Airmen to get the legal help they need at their convenience.
"Our mission is to provide top-notch legal support for everyone," said Airman Mixon. "If that means we have to go to their workplace, home or the hospital, that's what we'll do."
Just a few weeks ago, legal office representatives went to a hospital to help a client about to undergo open-heart surgery, said Airman Mixon. The client was very emotional, but needed the help of the legal office to create a will.
"We often have clients that are emotional and under a great deal of stress," Airman Mixon said. "It's a good feeling to receive their gratitude first-hand and to see them leave the office feeling better than before."
The legal office is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information or legal assistance, call 764-3278 . The free tax center is scheduled to open Jan. 17 through April 15. For more information on the tax center, call Airman Mixon at 764-3277.