Disciplined Formations Begin with Sound Legal Advice
FORT KNOX, Ky. -- To ensure its legal professionals provide primary counsel to commanders and develop tactically proficient experts, the 84th Training Command's Judge Advocate General (JAG) staff recently underwent an Article 6 inspection by the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command (USARLC). This critical assessment helps the command fulfill its mission of preparing deploying units with realistic training platforms, ensuring legal readiness for future conflicts.
This inspection is vital because disciplined formations, capable of executing complex missions, rely on sound legal advice. Just as Soldiers repeatedly train on essential combat skills like marksmanship, land navigation, and nine-line medical evacuations, legal professionals must consistently practice their craft. This continuous training ensures they can provide commanders with timely and accurate counsel on critical issues such as rules of engagement, contracts, and Soldier conduct, preventing operational delays or failures in large-scale mobilization operations.
“Command discipline is about ensuring commanders have trained and ready Soldiers that are operationally proficient,” said Col. Candace White-Halverson, staff judge advocate for the 84th Training Command. “When there are delays and administrative tasks and military justice tasks, it takes away from their readiness.”
During the Article 6 inspection, both the inspected unit and the inspection team briefed on the legal team's status and future plans. Discussions included how the 84th Training Command will manage staffing and training, balancing military occupational specialty (MOS)-specific legal skills with general Soldier proficiencies. A key focus was embedding legal personnel directly with units during exercises. This approach allows legal experts to assist in the military decision-making process, conduct detention operations, provide security, or react to contact, giving them invaluable real-world experience.
“Unit personnel that stay at headquarters during exercises to focus on administrative tasks is not the answer,” said Brig. Gen. David Barrett, deputy commander west for the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command.
The 84th Training Command prioritizes protecting Soldiers by upholding consistent standards and ensuring realistic, timely training that mirrors large-scale mobilization operations (LSMO). In an LSMO scenario, numerous interconnected elements must function seamlessly to prevent operational failures. Comprehensive legal reviews conducted behind the scenes provide commanders with peace of mind, ensuring no stoppages occur due to issues like contracts, international law violations, rules of war, or individual Soldier misconduct.
“Timeliness is an issue,” said Capt. Stephen Kenney. “If you have longshoremen on strike and port operations are being held up because of it, you need the port to be operating to maintain logistics. That is something they would have to resolve quickly.”
By rigorously assessing and continually developing its legal professionals, the 84th Training Command reinforces its commitment to mission readiness. This proactive approach ensures that commanders receive the essential legal support needed to navigate the complexities of modern warfare, ultimately contributing to the success of U.S. Army operations worldwide.