Air Force Judge Advocate General's School Podcast

In the latest AFJAGS podcast, Maj Alexxa Pritchett is joined by Capt Joseph Ludmir, a recent graduate of Squadron Officer School (SOS), to provide a first-hand account of the newly redesigned SOS curriculum and experience. Captain Ludmir offers his perspective on the shift from traditional classroom instruction to interactive, hands-on war-gaming exercises. He discusses the physical and mental demands of the course, the importance of integrating with other career fields, and how JAGs can leverage their unique skills to contribute to the team.

In this episode, Maj Alexxa Pritchett is joined by Capt Rachel Book, a graduate of Officer Training School (OTS) class 25-06, to provide a first-hand account of what you can expect during OTS. Captain Book shares her invaluable insights into the entire OTS experience, from the initial impressions of the first week to the day-to-day balance of physical training and academics. She offers practical advice on how to prepare physically, what to pack, and how to mentally approach the unique challenges of OTS. This episode is a must-listen for those preparing to begin their Air Force careers at OTS.

In this episode Maj Alexxa Pritchett is joined by Maj Aniesha Bell, Chief of Recruiting for the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, for a look at the various accession programs available to civilians, law students, and current service members, including the Direct Appointment Program (DAP), the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), and the Educational Delay program. Major Bell also provides valuable tips for submitting a strong application and highlights the significant financial incentives offered, such as the Student Loan Repayment Program and JAG Continuation Pay.

Have questions about these programs or the application process? Please reach out to Recruiting at 1 (800) JAG-USAF or (703) 614-2385 or send an email to [email protected].

Online application can be found here: https://jagusaf.jag.af.mil/.

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The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) directed the military services to make attorneys trained in special education law available for military members and their families. Over the past four years, the Air Force JAG Corps has developed a robust program to train attorneys and provide resources to build the Department of the Air Force’s legal assistance capabilities in this area. In this episode, Major Laura Wheat and Major Andrew Woodbury interview Ms. Sharon Ackah and talk about the Exceptional Family Member Program, the education law services provided by the JAG Corps, and the history and development of this area of law.

EFMP Central Cell Family Vector Website: http://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil

The DAF Family Vector Video Library includes a section of videos on Special Education Law available here: https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/MemberSite/Content?TaxonId=10411

Eligible military legal assistance beneficiaries can locate the closest legal assistance office using the U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance Locator: https://legalassistance.law.af.mil .

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag

In the 2024 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated about the Arctic, “[t]his increasingly accessible region is becoming a venue for strategic competition, and the United States must stand ready to meet the challenge alongside Allies and partners.” In this episode, Major Laura Wheat interviews Major Keshat Lemberg about the multi-domain legal implications of the Arctic, as well as the current challenges and opportunities presented vis-à-vis Russia and China due to the changing environment, melting sea ice, and opening of shipping lanes.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.

In this episode, Major Laura Wheat closes out the “JAGs on the Job” series by interviewing Colonel Simone Davis and Colonel Corrie Mack about their experiences serving as judge advocates in the United States Air Force, and more specifically, working in operations and international law capacities. In case you missed the first two episodes in this series, go back to Episodes 76 and 80 to hear about military justice and discipline, and civil law and litigation.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.

Happy 75th Anniversary to the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps! In this special edition episode, Major Laura Wheat interviews various key JAG Corps personnel to give brief overviews on some of the major events over the past 75 years, in chronological order.

Special guest speakers include:

Lieutenant General Charles Plummer, The Judge Advocate General;

Major General Rebecca Vernon, Deputy Judge Advocate General;

Chief Master Sergeant Laura Puza, Senior Enlisted Advisor to The Judge Advocate General;

Retired Lieutenant General Jack Rives, The 15th Judge Advocate General;

Retired Major General William Moorman, The 13th Judge Advocate General;

Major General Mitch Neurock, Mobilization Assistant to The Judge Advocate General;

Major General Charles Walker, Air National Guard Assistant to The Judge Advocate General;

Brigadier General Michael Tomatz, Director, Operations and International Law Directorate;

Brigadier General Gail Crawford, Director, Military Justice and Discipline Directorate;

Brigadier General Christopher Brown, Lead Special Trial Counsel;

Colonel Shelly Frank, Director, Inspections and Standardization;

Colonel Andrea Hall, Chief, Military Justice Law and Policy;

Colonel Mark Hoover, Director, Legal Information Services Directorate;

Colonel Brett Landry, Chief, Trial Defense Division;

Colonel Lanourra Phillips, Chief, Victims’ Counsel Division;

First Lieutenant Terri Adams, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate;

First Lieutenant Jordan Anderson, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate;

First Lieutenant King Tsang, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate;

Airman First Class Pita Qiolevu, Paralegal; and

Airman First Class Mason Walch, Paralegal.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.

In this episode, Major Laura Quaco interviews Colonel Patricia Wiegman-Lenz and Major Sean McDivitt about their experiences serving as judge advocates in the United States Air Force, and more specifically, working in civil law and litigation capacities. Over the coming months, there will be one more episode in this "JAGs on the Job" series, focused on operations and international law. In case you missed it, go back to Episode 76 to hear the episode on military justice and discipline.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.

In this episode, Major Laura Quaco talks with Retired Chief Master Sergeant David Haskins, the ninth Senior Paralegal Manager (now called Senior Enlisted Advisor) to The Judge Advocate General—the most senior paralegal position in The Judge Advocate General’s Corps. CMSgt Haskins was the first Black/African American, as well as the first practicing the Islamic faith, to serve as Senior Paralegal Manager. CMSgt Haskins discusses his inspiration to serve, and many leadership lessons he cultivated over the years from various mentors and his own experiences. He also shares some notable moments from his service, including serving on an accident investigation board for the 1994 Black Hawk shootdown incident.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.

In this episode, Major Laura Quaco sits down with Retired Colonel Susan McNeill, the first female Black/African American judge advocate to make the rank of colonel in any of the military services. Colonel McNeill shares some notable moments in her Air Force career—from being a procurement officer during the Vietnam War, to serving in the Social Actions Office during a tumultuous time, and even witnessing the first STS-1 Columbia Space Shuttle landing after providing legal advice on a related contract. She also shares some advice she cultivated from her various experiences. Stay tuned for the next episode, in which you will be able to hear from Retired Chief Master Sergeant David Haskins, the first Black/African American to serve in the most senior paralegal position in the Air Force JAG Corps.

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Interested in learning more about the Air Force JAG Corps? Have questions about our programs or the application process? Please contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or [email protected]. Don’t forget to check out our website at airforce.com/jag.