4ID DIVARTY's Brigade Legal Team conducted a "dark" AR 15-6 investigation to test analog systems and processes during 4th Infantry Division's Ivy Sting III field exercise. The legal team conducted a complete investigation, utilizing witnesses with scripts, and stimulated the 4ID DIVARTY Staff to conduct justice missions in the field. After completing the investigation and receiving the legal review through runners, the battery command team executed non-judicial punishment on a humvee. The legal team will use lessons learned to be better prepared for future conflicts where comms and digital resources may not be available.

CPT Alex Brink (left) advises the battery command team (1SG Kyereme Kofi and CPT Jacob Planchon) on the results of the AR 15-6 investigation, legal review, and command options to address the notional misconduct. 

Ivy Gunners! 

The Army National Guard Trial Defense Service conducted the Defense Counsel and Paralegal (DCP) 201 course in Tucson, Arizona from 15-19 April 2024. Attendees are nominated by their Senior & Regional Defense Counsels, and selected by the Office of the Chief. The DCP 201 builds on the lessons from the DCP 101 course. Students sharpen their advocacy skills by participating in mock board proceedings, to include administrative separation, administrative reduction, and withdrawal of federal recognition. Students are assigned specific roles as counsel and paralegals in adversarial proceedings, and litigate cases before a mock board panel.

Soldiers from the 134th & 174th LOD attended the 2024 Annual Weapons Qualification at Fort Liberty, NC. During the AWQ both LOD's attended the EST, ACFT and range.

All photos were taken by the 134th LOD's PAO: PFC Dawn Riley

SSG Victoria Clowers, paralegal at the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve and the youngest Soldier at OCAR, cut the USAR Birthday cake with MG Deborah Kotulich, Deputy Chief of Army Reserve and CW5 Joe Wiltz. Happy 116th Birthday Army Reserve!

On Sunday, 7 April 2024, members of the Army National Guard Trial Defense Service and Special Victim's Counsel completed the Norwegian Foot March (NFM). The NFM is a 30k foot march in which participants must carry a minimum 25-pound ruck and complete it within certain timeframes based on age and gender. Pictured top left: SSG David Murn (TDS), bottom: SFC Laura Davis (TDS) and LTC Donna Ridgel (SVC). All three completed the foot march with a qualifying time to earn the NFM badge. Pictured top right: amazing volunteers of the event handing out popsicle sticks. 

On Saturday, 20 April, the Fort Bliss OSJA (along with family and friends) celebrated Earth Day by collaborating with the Texas Department of Transportation to organize a highway cleanup through the TX DoT Adopt-A-Hwy initiative. The Fort Bliss OSJA “Cleanup Crew” (composed of about 30 volunteers) gathered over 60 bags of debris in their efforts to keep El Paso beautiful!

In a HUGE win for the JAG Corps, SGT Kayla Lazaro, Paralegal NCO, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, reenlisted on 19 April. Joined by members of the Fort Sill OSJA, SGT Lazaro (pictured front row, fifth from right) swore her oath on top of Mount Scott, located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge adjacent to Fort Sill. It's been a big month for SGT Lazaro, who promoted to SGT on 1 April. Congrats to SGT Lazaro and her Family!

On April 13, the 87th LOD HQ team hiked up part of The Living Room Trail in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was a beautiful day, with fantastic views and company.  Pictured left to right: LTC John Rodriguez, LTC Jack Patten, COL Peter Vernon Lee, SGT Karlena Heward, CW2 Chris Hughes, SGT Bradley Correa, and SSG Luis Rivera.