445 AW JAG available to assist Reserve Citizen Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erin Zimpfer
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General (JAG) office routinely prepares Powers of Attorney and wills for the members of the 445th.

“I am so thankful we can walk in and get this helpful service at the wing,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Cowie, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron operation support flight commander.

“I am so thankful we can walk in and get this helpful service at the wing,” said Cowie.

The JAG office commonly serves approximately 20-40 Airmen in a weekend. JAG is open Saturday and Sunday during the Scarlet unit training assembly and for two hours in the afternoon of the Gray UTA.

Many times, if a large number of members from a unit are deploying, the legal assistance Airmen will go to the units and create a deployment line to help as many as 100 members in a day.

It is essential if a member is deploying that their affairs are in order before leaving the country.

For faster service, the Airman can go to the legal assistance website at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil/lass/lass/html and complete the forms for a POA or a will to simplify the process.

In addition to services to help Airmen have their personal affairs in order with legal documents, the office also provides legal assistance if something were to happen such as a Uniform Code of Military Justice violation or a member getting in trouble with civilian authorities.

If a member is unable to visit the JAG office on a UTA, the 88th JAG office will assist Reservists who are deploying. They also handle Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) violations should a member face discrimination at work based on their Reserve status and require legal assistance.

Tech. Sgt. Misty Mayes, 445th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General office NCO in charge, is passionate about bringing her civilian paralegal and criminal justice education and experience to assist the members of the 445th with any needs.

“Helping people is what I love the most about this job,” said Mayes.