Military Commander and the Law, 2016

944 Pages·2016·4.99 MB·English

THE
MILITARY
COMMANDER
AND THE LAW
UDGE A DVOCATE GENERAL’S SC
HE J HOO
T L
E
U C
NITED STATES AIR F O R
The Military Commander and the Law is a publication of The Judge
Advocate General’s School. This publication is used as a deskbook
for instruction at various commander courses at Air University. It also
serves as a helpful reference guide for commanders in the field, providing
general guidance and helping commanders to clarify issues and identify
potential problem areas. As with any publication of secondary authority,
this deskbook should not be used as the basis for action on specific cases.
Primary authority, much of which is cited in this edition, should first be
carefully reviewed. Finally, this deskbook does not serve as a substitute for
advice from the staff judge advocate.
Readers with questions or comments concerning this publication should
contacts the Editors, The Military Commander and the Law, at the
following address:
The Judge Advocate General’s School
150 Chennault Circle (Bldg 694)
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112-6418
Comm.[phone] or DSN 493-2802
[email protected]
This publication is available at: http://www.afjag.af.mil/library
On the cover: F-22 Raptor pilot (U.S. Air Force photo/Technical Sergeant Ryan Cran), A-10
Thunderbolt pilot (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sergeant Joe W. McFadden), Air Force Honor Guard
at Arlington National Cemetery (U.S. Air Force photo/Technical Sergeant Joshua L. DeMotts),
military working dog handler (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Dennis Hoffman), RED
HORSE squadron (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Joseph Pick), over iStockphoto™
background images by chainatp.
THE MILITARY COMMANDER
AND THE LAW
Edition Thirteen 2016
COLONEL KIRK L. DAVIES, USAF
Commandant, the Judge advoCate general’s sChool
MAJOR GRAHAM H. BERNSTEIN
editor-in-Chief

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JENNIFER L. CLINE
LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERIC M. JOHNSON
MAJOR LAURA C. DESIO
CAPTAIN SETH W. DILWORTH
exeCutive editors
EDITORIAL BOARD
Major Christopher D. Cazares
Major Eric H. Frenck
Major Nate G. Himert
Major Israel D. King
Major Teah L.F. Lambright
Major Alex L. Lowry
Major Jamie L. Mendelson
Major Nicole M. Torres
Captain Stephen L. McQuillan
Captain Adam G. Mudge
Captain Amanda K. Snipes
Captain Travis L. Vaughan
First Lieutenant Sean R. McDivitt
First Lieutenant Nathanael D. Okhuysen
Master Sergeant Aviva D. Reinhardt
Technical Sergeant Lacey N. Quinton
Technical Sergeant Adria D. Winlock
Mr. Mark D. Stoup
PUBLICATION LAYOUT and COVER DESIGN
MS. THOMASA T. PAUL
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SPECIAL THANKS TO
Headquarters U.S. Air Force Administrative Law Directorate (AF/JAA)
Headquarters U.S. Air Force Operations and International Law Directorate (AF/JAO)
Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Civil Law and Litigation Directorate (AFLOA/JAC)
Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Community Legal Services Directorate (AFLOA/CLS)
Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Judiciary (AFLOA/JAJ)
Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Commercial Law and Litigation Directorate (AFLOA/JAQ)
Air Force Personnel Center, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (AFPC/JA)
24th Air Force, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (24 AF/JA)
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T M C L
HE ILITARY OMMANDER AND THE AW
T C
able of onTenTs
CHAPTER ONE:
LEGAL ISSUES SPECIFIC TO THE COMMANDER ........................................................1
Sources of Command Authority .....................................................................................2
Command Succession ........................................................................................................5
Functions of the Staff Judge Advocate ........................................................................9
Personal Liability of Commanders and Supervisors ..............................................11
Article 138 Complaints .....................................................................................................14
Special Court-Martial Convening Authority Duties ...............................................19
Unlawful Command Influence ......................................................................................21
Serving as a Court Member ............................................................................................24
Testifying as a Witness ......................................................................................................27
CHAPTER TWO:
QUALITY FORCE MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................29
Administrative Counselings, Admonitions, and Reprimands ............................30
Unfavorable Information Files .......................................................................................39
Control Rosters ....................................................................................................................45
Administrative Demotions ..............................................................................................48
Selective Reenlistment .....................................................................................................52
Reserve Reenlistments .....................................................................................................55
Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems ...................................................................58
Officer Promotion Propriety Actions ...........................................................................66
Enlisted Promotion Propriety Actions ........................................................................69
CHAPTER THREE:
NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT UNDER ARTICLE 15, UCMJ .................................73
Nonjudicial Punishment Overview and Procedures..............................................74
Supplementary Nonjudicial Punishment Actions ..................................................83
Quality Force Management Effects of Nonjudicial Punishment .......................89
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CHAPTER FOUR:
ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION FROM THE AIR FORCE .....................................93
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: General Considerations .........94
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: Reasons for Discharge ............98
Dual Action Processing of Administrative and Medical Discharges ..............107
Procedure to Involuntarily Separate Enlisted Members ....................................109
Probation and Rehabilitation for Enlisted Members ...........................................113
Officer Separations ..........................................................................................................117
Administrative Separation of Reservists ..................................................................123
Loss of Veterans’ Benefits...............................................................................................127
CHAPTER FIVE:
CRIMINAL AND MILITARY JUSTICE .............................................................................129
Installation Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................131
Federal Magistrate Program .........................................................................................134
Court-Martial Jurisdiction Under the UCMJ ...........................................................136
A Commander’s Guide to the AFOSI .........................................................................141
Functions of the Area Defense Counsel ...................................................................150
Military Magistrate Program ........................................................................................152
National Security Cases ..................................................................................................154
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response ................................................................157
Special Victims' Counsel Program ..............................................................................168
Command Response to Sexual Assault ....................................................................172
Air Force Victim Witness Assistance Program ........................................................176
Transitional Compensation for Victims of Abuse .................................................180
Media Relations in Military Justice Matters ............................................................182
Arrest by Civil Authorities .............................................................................................187
Advising Suspects of Rights .........................................................................................192
Inspections and Searches .............................................................................................198
Preliminary Inquiry Into Reported Offenses...........................................................207
Military Justice Actions and the Inspector General .............................................209
Preparation, Preferral, and Processing of Charges ...............................................211
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Pretrial Restraint and Confinement ...........................................................................214
Immunity .............................................................................................................................221
Pretrial Agreements ........................................................................................................224
Trial Format ........................................................................................................................227
Confidentiality and Privileged Communications .................................................230
Use of Information in the Personal Information File and
Rehabilitation Testimony at Court-Martial ......................................................235
Post-Trial Matters, Clemency Submissions, Convening Authority
Action, and Appeals .................................................................................................237
CHAPTER SIX:
PERSONNEL ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER—GENERALLY ..........................243
Total Force: Air Reserve Component (ARC) .............................................................244
Active Guard and Reserve Curtailments ..................................................................248
Reassignment to the Individual Ready Reserve ....................................................250
Debarment .........................................................................................................................254
Driving Privileges .............................................................................................................257
Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Commissary Benefits ..................260
Substance Abuse ..............................................................................................................263
Private Organizations .....................................................................................................272
Free Speech, Demonstrations, Open Houses and Hate Groups ......................276
Religious Issues in the Air Force ..................................................................................279
Social Media .......................................................................................................................288
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ...........................................................................291
Privacy Act ..........................................................................................................................295
Return of Military Personnel, Employees, and Family Members From
Overseas for Trial .......................................................................................................300
Citizenship for Military Members ...............................................................................303
The Air Force Review Boards Agency ........................................................................306
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CHAPTER SEVEN:
PERSONNEL ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER .........................................................313
Humanitarian Reassignments/Deferments ............................................................315
The Air Force Urinalysis Program ................................................................................318
Urinalysis Checklist for Unit Commanders ..............................................................324
Fraternization and Unprofessional Relationships ................................................327
Hazing ..................................................................................................................................330
Personal Bankruptcy .......................................................................................................332
Financial Responsibility .................................................................................................334
Bad Checks .........................................................................................................................337
Adoption Expense Reimbursement and Tax Credit .............................................339
Civilian Jury Service by Military Members ..............................................................342
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) .....................................................................344
Anthrax Immunizations .................................................................................................349
Commander-Directed Mental Health Evaluations ...............................................352
Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention (LPSP) Program ........................................356
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ..........................361
Personnel Reliability Program .....................................................................................367
Lautenberg Amendment ..............................................................................................371
Conscientious Objection to Military Service ..........................................................374
Fitness Program ................................................................................................................378
The Air Reserve Component (ARC) Fitness Program ...........................................384
Unauthorized Absence ..................................................................................................388
Unauthorized Absence for an Air Reserve Component (ARC) Member .......392
Line of Duty Determinations .......................................................................................394
Disability Evaluation System ........................................................................................399
Officer Grade Determinations .....................................................................................405
Tattoos/Brands, Body Piercing, and Body Alteration ..........................................407
Retaliation ...........................................................................................................................410
No Contact Orders ...........................................................................................................412
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CHAPTER EIGHT:
PERSONNEL ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER—FAMILY AND
NEXT OF KIN ...........................................................................................................................417
Child Abuse, Child Neglect, and Spousal Abuse ...................................................418
Child Custody and the Military ...................................................................................421
Family Member Misconduct ........................................................................................425
Removal from Base Housing ........................................................................................427
Air Force Child and Youth Programs (CYP) ..............................................................428
Summary Court Officers ................................................................................................430
Disposal of Personal Property .....................................................................................433
CHAPTER NINE:
LEGAL ASSISTANCE.............................................................................................................435
Overview of Legal Assistance Program ....................................................................436
Notaries ...............................................................................................................................440
Wills and Powers of Attorney .......................................................................................443
Tax Assistance Program .................................................................................................447
CHAPTER TEN:
CIVIL LAW RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL ..........451
Equal Opportunity and Treatment .............................................................................452
Prohibition on Sexual Harassment ............................................................................459
The Inspector General Complaints Resolution Process......................................469
Political Activities by Air Force Members ................................................................476
Membership and Participation in Hate Groups ....................................................480
Extremist Activities ..........................................................................................................482
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) ...................................................................486
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
(USERRA) ......................................................................................................................490
Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) .......................494
Ensuring the Fair Handling of Debt Complaints Against Service
Members ......................................................................................................................501
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CHAPTER ELEVEN:
CIVIL LAW ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER .............................................................505
National Defense Areas ..................................................................................................506
Posse Comitatus ...............................................................................................................511
Air Force Safety and Accident Investigations .........................................................514
Administrative Inquiries and Investigations ..........................................................519
Allegations Against Senior Officials and Colonels (or Equivalents) ...............522
Flying Evaluation Boards ...............................................................................................525
Commercial Activities .....................................................................................................530
MWR and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities ...........................................536
Raffles ...................................................................................................................................539
Off-Limits Establishments .............................................................................................542
Unofficial Activities/Squadron Snack Bars ..............................................................544
Acceptance of Volunteer Services ..............................................................................546
CHAPTER TWELVE:
THE AIR FORCE CLAIMS PROGRAM ............................................................................549
Introduction to Claims ...................................................................................................550
Personal Property Claims ..............................................................................................551
Disaster Claims ..................................................................................................................556
Tort Claims ..........................................................................................................................558
Aviation Claims .................................................................................................................564
Foreign and International Claims ...............................................................................568
Property Damage Tort Claims in Favor of the United States ............................573
Medical Cost Reimbursement Claims .......................................................................576
Article 139 Claims ............................................................................................................579
Liability for Damage to Rental Vehicles....................................................................582
Reports of Survey (ROS) .................................................................................................589
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
CONTRACTING ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER ...................................................595
Contract Law Foundation .............................................................................................596
Acquisition, Strategy, Planning ...................................................................................598
Competition in Contracting .........................................................................................601
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