As predicted, with the beginning of classes I am finding that there is not a whole lot to write about that a non-182nd JAOBC class member would find exciting. However, just because it isn't exciting doesn't mean some might not find it interesting, and since everyone in my class continues to "heckle" me about when I'm writing my next blog, I think I'll write one just to spite them (no actual spite expelled, that is saved for morning PT, and in particular my APFT (diagnostic) tomorrow).

The last two days of class have marked the true beginning of our Army Legal Education. Appropriately, we have started with General Administrative and Civil Law, which is by far the most general and expansive "area" of law we will cover. To begin, we were introduced to the entire department through a very interesting and sophisticated power point with all the bells and whistles (by which I mean it had synchronized music).

After the introduction, we jumped right in with "Command Authority." Command Authority is pretty self-explanatory. Our two hour lecture with accompanying power point concerned the power of the Commander on the installation under his charge. The information dealt mostly with the Army Regulations and commond law that define, restrict, and in some cases expand, the Commander's Authority (got to love "inherent authority"). This is important to us as Judge Advocate because we are the legal counsel for the Commanders, or at least our boss is, the Staff Judge Advocate.

Next, we had a three hour lecture regarding Administrative Investigations. This was a very practical lecture with, guess what, another power point. I have to give the professors (who are all senior officers to me) some credit, they do make the power points interesting, in that it isn't JUST writing on each slide. The Administrative Investigations lecture focused on the practical legal issues surrounding any investigation. There are several different types of investigations, each with their own purpose and procedures. Those procedures are clearly outlined in one of the millions of Army Regulations I need to familiarize myself with in the coming weeks.

After class, it was a mellow night as many of my classmates were getting some rest for their APFT in the morning, or getting a jump start on their reading for class.

Wednesday (Today) began with another lecture on Equal Opportunity and surrounding issues with accompanying power point. I say "another lecture" because if you recall, my class already had a very colorful lecture regarding EO issues. Today's was far more subdued, professional, and legal, and thus more enjoyable and informational. After that lecture, we had two shorter classes on legal writing, briefing and correspondences. It is probably no surprise that the requirements for form of Memorandum, Letters, and other Correspondences is very well defined and rigorous, thus this lecture is necessary so that we begin to indoctrinate ourselves into that style.

After a quick lunch, we had a lecture on Adverse Administrative Actions with, yes, an accompanying power point, but this time we had highly practiced class skits to accompany the various Negative Actions that can be taken. Administrative Actions are procedures through which the Army CAN temporarily discipline any service member should he or she commit any form of misconduct that is no a Criminal Offense. These actions are not meant to punish, instead they are to be used to REMEDY the situation that is causing the issue. My favorite subject was regarding the APFT and Weight Management. If you've been reading this blog you'll already be familiar with the rules and purpose of the APFT. What you may not know is that the Army has "Weight and Height" requirements that they expect their soldiers to fall into. Now, I'll use myself as an example. At this very moment I stand 6'2." According to the Army regulations, I should weigh no more then 211 pounds. I'm not going to get any more specific, but take it from me, I weigh more then that. However, I plan on doing pretty well on my APFT tomorrow (emphasis on the hesitant "pretty"). So when I asked the professor if there is a way to get around the weight requirements if a "hypothetical someone were to CRUSH the APFT?" The professor began to answer with, "well.... some soldiers are total studs..." at which point I couldn't help but chime in with a prompt, "Thank You Sir, I appreciate the praise..." Maybe the story doesn't translate in writing, but I think everyone laughed.

However, that wasn't the best line of the day. We were discussing "Extra Training" as a potential Administrative Action. The most important rule regarding the assignment of addition training is that the additional training must have a NEXUS with the misconduct that prompted it. This sparked several questions from prior service members who had seen some very clever and colorful "extra training" remedial measures during their days in boot camp. When the question was asked, "how do we as judge advocates get involved in a situation where the 'extra training' may not have the appropriate nexus to the misconduct." We were told that it would probably be a bad idea as a 6 month old Captain to come running up to a 17 year veteran Drill Sergeant yelling "THERE'S NO NEXUS!!!" Again, I bet that the story doesn't translate, but it was pretty funny.

When our Adverse Administrative Action lecture was finished, we were released for the day after a G1 briefing, and now I'm getting a head start of some school work with the intent to go to bed early, because I have my APFT tomorrow.

Lastly, there was a posted question on one of my last blogs asking if any of the APFT's at C'ville are "record APFT's" for the purpose of the Army and our personnel files. The answer is YES. However, the "Record APFT" doesn't occur until the END of your time at C'ville. The APFT I am taking tomorrow, and my class has been taking all week is a Diagnostic test to see where everyone is, and to begin separating the class into "run groups" for real PT which will be 5 days a week for the next 9 and a half weeks. The only thing that will happen to a soldier who doesn't pass his or her Diagnostic APFT is "extra" (I call it remedial) PT, to ensure that you pass the Record APFT at the end of class.

Thanks for the question and for everyone's continued support through reading this blog, hope it isn't too boring...