FROM THE FULLTIME JAG’S DESK - MAJ William E. O’Connor For some time now, I’ve had this nagging thought in my mind which I use as an excuse to write the following words. As ser- vice members, what have we actually learned during these past ten years of constant mobilizations and deployments? The Puerto Rico Na- tional Guard has taken part in almost every imag- inable type of activation. We still do. From combat support to humanitarian assistance and everything in between, we’ve done it all, and we’ve done it well, but I believe we can still do more. During our SRPs I like to emphasize on many things when briefing and assisting our soldiers. There are of course the usual topics of discussion that we see on a daily basis in the OSJA such as powers of attorney and family care plans; and then there are the situations which pop up every once in a while having to do with legal problems of a more disciplinary nature. It is then that we discuss with soldiers the changes that occur when changing from Title 32 to Title 10 USC and the inevitable conse- quences of actions under the notorious UCMJ. Many of us have been deployed under Federal service on more than one occasion and it stands to reason that we as a whole should be more familiar- ized with the way things work when deployed. Technically the rules change, but it shouldn’t be perceived that way. The standard has always been the same, regardless of where you are and who you are doing it for. Our Officers and NCOs have had great opportu- nity to develop effective leadership skills in sync with current training re- quirements and specifi- cally by the experiences acquired in the field. We have no excuse. Every one of us must have the moral center to follow those Values which have been instilled in us since our first day of training; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. We are not naïve enough to think we will not continue to see disci- plinary situations among our soldiers, but we must strive to do better, by lead- ing from the front and by example. As legal profes- sionals we in the OSJA will persevere in promoting the faithful compliance of our rules and regulations in an effort to maintain the highest standards that distinguish the PRNG and continue to make it the premiere force it is. Volume I, Issue 3 Inside this issue: Legal Resources, Know Your Rights: The Puertorrican Veterans Bill of Rights of the 21st Century 2 Ethics Matters: Gifts between Employees 6 Link it Up! 7 What is Social Media? 7 At the Movies: Runaway Jury 8 From the JAG Bookshelf: The Fourth Star 8 What’s New on Our Facebook Page. 8 “Every one of us must have the moral center to follow those Values which have been instilled in us since our first day of training; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.” employees. The holiday season is upon us and along with it the custom- ary gift exchange. This guidance will explain what is the DoD current policy concerning this type of activity in the federal workplace. We also continue with our series concerning social media in the Army and our now highly antici- pated movie and book reviews and a few other surprises. Enjoy. received during the year. It is also time for the official start of the holiday sea- son. With this in mind we have prepared a very special issue for you. We will dis- cuss the Puerto Rico Vet- eran’s Bill of Rights. This legislation provides a se- ries of great protections and benefits to our veter- ans. We will also provide guid- ance regarding the ex- changing of gifts between Welcome to another issue of The Advocate. It is November, a month of great significance for us service members. It is a time of giving our most heartfelt thanks for the service provided to our Nation. The sacrifices made by you guarantee and protect our way of life as American citizens. It is also an oppor- tunity to reunite with our loved ones and be thankful for everything that we have FROM THE CHIEF LEGAL NCO’S DESK - SFC Frank Chiroque “It is a time of giving our most heartfelt thanks for the service provided to our Nation. The sacrifices made by you guarantee and protect our way of life as American citizens.” November 2011
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Transcript
FROM THE FULLTIME JAG’S DESK - MAJ William E. O’Connor
For some time now,
I’ve had this nagging
thought in my mind which I
use as an excuse to write
the following words. As ser-
vice members, what have
we actually learned during
these past ten years of
constant mobilizations
and deployments?
The Puerto Rico Na-
tional Guard has taken
part in almost every imag-
inable type of activation.
We still do. From combat
support to humanitarian
assistance and everything
in between, we’ve done it
all, and we’ve done it well,
but I believe we can still do
more.
During our SRPs I like to
emphasize on many things
when briefing and assisting
our soldiers. There are of
course the usual topics of
discussion that we see on a
daily basis in the OSJA such
as powers of attorney and
family care plans; and then
there are the situations
which pop up every once in
a while having to do with
legal problems of a more
disciplinary nature. It is
then that we discuss with
soldiers the changes that
occur when changing from
Title 32 to Title 10 USC
and the inevitable conse-
quences of actions under
the notorious UCMJ.
Many of us have been
deployed under Federal
service on more than one
occasion and it stands to
reason that we as a whole
should be more familiar-
ized with the way things
work when deployed.
Technically the rules
change, but it shouldn’t be
perceived that way. The
standard has always been
the same, regardless of
where you are and who
you are doing it for.
Our Officers and NCOs
have had great opportu-
nity to develop effective
leadership skills in sync
with current training re-
quirements and specifi-
cally by the experiences
acquired in the field. We
have no excuse. Every
one of us must have the
moral center to follow
those Values which have
been instilled in us since
our first day of training;
Loyalty, Duty, Respect,
Selfless Service, Honor,
Integrity and Personal
Courage.
We are not naïve
enough to think we will
not continue to see disci-
plinary situations among
our soldiers, but we must
strive to do better, by lead-
ing from the front and by
example. As legal profes-
sionals we in the OSJA will
persevere in promoting
the faithful compliance of
our rules and regulations
in an effort to maintain the
highest standards that
distinguish the PRNG and
continue to make it the
premiere force it is.
Volume I, Issue 3
Inside this issue:
Legal Resources, Know
Your Rights:
The Puertorrican
Veterans Bill of Rights of
the 21st Century
2
Ethics Matters:
Gifts between
Employees
6
Link it Up! 7
What is Social Media? 7
At the Movies:
Runaway Jury
8
From the JAG Bookshelf:
The Fourth Star
8
What’s New on Our
Facebook Page.
8
“Every one of us
must have the
moral center to
follow those
Values which
have been instilled
in us since our
first day of
training; Loyalty,
Duty, Respect,
Selfless Service,
Honor, Integrity
and Personal
Courage.”
employees. The holiday
season is upon us and
along with it the custom-
ary gift exchange. This
guidance will explain what
is the DoD current policy
concerning this type of
activity in the federal
workplace.
We also continue with our
series concerning social
media in the Army and
our now highly antici-
pated movie and book
reviews and a few other
surprises. Enjoy.
received during the year. It
is also time for the official
start of the holiday sea-
son.
With this in mind we have
prepared a very special
issue for you. We will dis-
cuss the Puerto Rico Vet-
eran’s Bill of Rights. This
legislation provides a se-
ries of great protections
and benefits to our veter-
ans.
We will also provide guid-
ance regarding the ex-
changing of gifts between
Welcome to another
issue of The Advocate.
It is November, a month of
great significance for us
service members. It is a
time of giving our most
heartfelt thanks for the
service provided to our
Nation.
The sacrifices made by you
guarantee and protect our
way of life as American
citizens. It is also an oppor-
tunity to reunite with our
loved ones and be thankful
for everything that we have
FROM THE CHIEF LEGAL NCO’S DESK - SFC Frank Chiroque