Paralegal helps keep Airmen, mission on track

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Amanda Hendrix, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Legal office paralegal, goes over a power of attorney form with a customer May 10 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Hendrix is a Farmington, N.M. native, deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. (Photo by: Capt. Joe Campbell)  

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05.20.2010

Courtesy Story

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Paralegals are attorneys' right hand; they manage the office and administer procedural functions of the law not required to be undertaken by a lawyer.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Amanda Hendrix, a paralegal deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., is charged with a number of tasks in her current role as NCO in charge of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Legal office here.

"As a paralegal I typically take care of disciplinary actions," said Hendrix. "Any military crime committed by military personnel, I would handle. Paralegals work with commanders and first sergeants, assisting them in decisions as to what type of discipline is within their limits."

Those in the paralegal career field are responsible for the administrative paperwork for judicial and non-judicial actions and everything in between.

"I process and document everything from Article 15s, courts-martial, powers of attorney, legal assistance such as divorce, adoption or custody; wills, claims, taxes, and rules of engagement," said Hendrix, a Farmington, N.M. native. "I provide administrative support for all matters of law."

While certain aspects of the 18-year Air Force veteran's job remain the same here in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility as they do at her job at MacDill AFB, there are some notable differences.

"I'm in a very small shop here and we are responsible for all Air Force personnel in the entire [host nation country]," said Hendrix. "We are available 24-hours a day with cell phones so work never ends."

A typical day in the AOR for the 1990 Aztec High School, New Mexico graduate includes travel arrangements for those scheduled to testify in cases, those accused of crimes and also fielding questions and requests from Airmen.

"I coordinate travel for witnesses in and out of the AOR since this is a transient hub and most military flights come in and out of here," she said. "I assist with pre-trial detainees and, if convicted, I help the units coordinate their confinement."

"We have video teleconferencing capability, so if there are witnesses who need to testify for a court-martial or discharge board we can support that," added the sergeant. The NCO said her job with the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps is important because she can help Airmen stay mission-focused; if that fails and a crime is committed, she helps administer legal actions.

"We provide discipline to Airmen, keep people focused on the mission and make sure people are not getting into trouble," said Hendrix. "There is a lot of stress [when deployed] and separation from family can cause people to become complacent. My job is to make sure if people screw up, they are held accountable for their actions."
However, keeping current on base happenings and helping people are aspects of her job she enjoys the most.

"I love helping people and knowing all the ins and outs of what's going on throughout the base," said Hendrix.

There are aspects of the paralegal career field that are challenging, but overcoming obstacles and being able to multi-task enable success and successful paralegals are respected for their guidance, she said.

"It is difficult when you have to process disciplinary paperwork on people you know personally, but you have to be able to separate personal relationships from professional," said Hendrix. "Several things are always going on at once and everybody thinks their issue is most important, but all issues have to be treated with urgency. Good paralegals are respected by leaders because they rely on us for answers and I like the fact that they respect my knowledge and experience."

While she finds it difficult to be away from her family, Hendrix said she takes advantage of the resources here at 'The Rock' to keep in touch.

"The hardest thing for me is being separated from my husband and three kids, but with the free Internet here I am able to Skype them," said Hendrix. "When my husband was in the military he deployed all the time and we never wanted to be away at the same time; since he retired I am able to go."

Currently on the first deployment of her career, Hendrix said the insight gained is invaluable.

"I think everyone should do a deployment," she said. "It is difficult, but the appreciation gained for the mission is not the same until you see it firsthand."

• Date Taken: 05.20.2010
• Date Posted: 05.20.2010 06:59
• Story ID: 49991
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)