THE MILITARY COMMANDER AND THE LAW - Air Force Judge Advocate - Home

736 Pages·2012·3.62 MB·English

THE
MILITARY
COMMANDER
AND THE LAW
UDGE A D VOCATE GENERAL’S SC
E J HO
H O
T L
E
U C
NITED STATES AI R 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 desk-
book 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
[phone] or DSN 493-2802
This publication is available at: http://milcom.jag.af.mil
On the cover: Runner (U.S. Air Force photo by Abner Guzman), Military Working Dog
(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Holston), Honor Guard (U.S. Air Force
photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Stefanko), and the rest are iStockphoto™ images
THE MILITARY COMMANDER
AND THE LAW
Eleventh Edition 2012
COLONEL HOLLY M. STONE, USAF
Commandant, the Judge advoCate general’s sChool
MAJOR KENNETH A. ARTZ
MAJOR LISA M. RICHARD
CAPTAIN SIMONE V. DAVIS
MS. THOMASA T. PAUL
editors
EDITORIAL BOARD
Colonel Theresa A. Negron Major Jason F. Keen
Lieutenant Colonel Mark D. Stoup Major Scott A. Hodges
Lieutenant Colonel Richard L. Dashiell Major Peter T. Beaudette
Mr. Thomas G. Becker Major Brett A. Landry
Major Lynn Schmidt Major Monica E. Nussbaum
Major Mark B. Mckiernan Captain Velma C. Gay
Major Clayton D. Richter Captain William D. Toronto
Major Deanna Daly Captain Shad R. Kidd
Major Mechel A. Campbell Captain Alex J. Rose
MAJOR Christian L. Deichert Captain Andrew R. Norton
Major Cynthia T. Kearley Master Sergeant (Ret) Tracy J. Bailey
Major R. Davis Younts
PUBLICATION LAYOUT and COVER DESIGN
MS. THOMASA T. PAUL
SPECIAL THANKS TO
The Secretary of the Air Force Office of the General Counsel (SAF/GC),
Headquarters U.S. Air Force Administrative Law Directorate (AF/JAA),
Headquarters U.S. Air Force Operations and International Law Directorate
(AF/JAO), The Environmental Law Field Support Center, the Labor Law Field
Center, and the Contract Law Field Support Field Support Center
PREFACE
The United States is founded upon the Constitution, the rule of law that stems
from the Constitution, and the institutions designed to preserve and protect the
law—including the armed forces. Our respect for the law is a reflection of our values
as a nation.
Military commanders hold a special position of authority under the law. Today’s
commanders must make decisions in an environment of increasingly complex laws,
rules, and regulations both nationally and internationally. The Military Commander
and the Law is widely-recognized as a valued resource for leaders at every level and
as a first-stop for commanders who need insight into the challenging legal issues
that confront them. After reviewing the materials in this publication, a commander’s
next stop is the local staff judge advocate, who will provide personal assistance
resolving specific issues. Together, commanders and judge advocates are partners in
safeguarding good order and protecting our Nation’s most-cherished freedoms.
Please refer to this book early and often, and I trust it will become one of your most
useful resources.
RICHARD C. HARDING
Lieutenant General, USAF
The Judge Advocate General
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 ........................................................................................................4
Functions of the Staff Judge Advocate ........................................................................7
Personal Liability of Commanders and Supervisors ................................................9
Article 138 Complaints .....................................................................................................12
Special Court-Martial Convening Authority Duties ...............................................15
Unlawful Command Influence ......................................................................................17
Serving as a Court Member ............................................................................................19
Testifying as a Witness ......................................................................................................22
Tips to Witnesses in Preparation for a Hearing or Trial .........................................23
CHAPTER TWO: QUALITY FORCE MANAGEMENT ....................................................25
Administrative Counselings, Admonitions, and Reprimands ............................26
Unfavorable Information Files (UIF) ............................................................................33
Control Rosters ....................................................................................................................36
Administrative Demotions ..............................................................................................38
Selective Reenlistment .....................................................................................................41
Reserve Reenlistments .....................................................................................................43
Officer and Enlisted Performance Reports ................................................................45
Officer Promotion Propriety Actions ...........................................................................48
Enlisted Promotion Propriety Actions ........................................................................51
CHAPTER THREE: NONJUDICIAL PUNISHMENT
UNDER ARTICLE 15, UCMJ ..................................................................................................55
Nonjudicial Punishment Overview and Procedures..............................................56
Supplementary Nonjudicial Punishment Actions ..................................................65
Vacating Suspended Nonjudicial Punishment ........................................................68
The Remotivation Program ............................................................................................70
Quality Force Management Effects of Nonjudicial Punishment .......................72
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CHAPTER FOUR: ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION FROM THE AIR FORCE .....75
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: General Considerations .........76
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: Reasons for Discharge ............79
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: Procedures .................................86
Involuntary Separation of Enlisted Members: Probation and
Rehabilitation ...............................................................................................................89
Voluntary Separation of Enlisted Members Prior to Expiration of Term
of Service .......................................................................................................................94
Officer Separations ............................................................................................................96
Administrative Separation of Reservists ..................................................................102
Loss of Veterans’ Benefits...............................................................................................104
CHAPTER FIVE: CRIMINAL AND MILITARY JUSTICE ..............................................107
Installation Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................109
Federal Magistrate Program .........................................................................................112
Court-Martial Jurisdiction Under the UCMJ ...........................................................114
A Commander’s Guide to the AFOSI .........................................................................119
Functions of the Area Defense Counsel ...................................................................127
Military Magistrate Program ........................................................................................129
National Security Cases ..................................................................................................130
Sexual Assault Response and Prevention ................................................................133
Air Force Victim and Witness Assistance Program................................................141
Transitional Compensation for Victims of Abuse .................................................144
Media Relations in Military Justice Matters ............................................................146
Arrest by Civil Authorities .............................................................................................151
Advising Suspects of Rights .........................................................................................154
Inspections and Searches .............................................................................................159
Preliminary Inquiry into Reported Offenses ...........................................................167
Military Justice Actions and the Inspector General .............................................169
Preparation, Preferral, and Processing of Charges ...............................................171
Pretrial Confinement .......................................................................................................173
Pretrial Restraint ...............................................................................................................177
Immunity .............................................................................................................................180
Pretrial Agreements ........................................................................................................183
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Trial Format ........................................................................................................................186
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication ...................................................188
Use of Information in the PIF and Rehabilitation Testimony at Trial ..............192
Post-Trial Matters, Convening Authority Action, and Appeals ........................193
Air Force Return to Duty Program ..............................................................................196
CHAPTER SIX: PERSONNEL ISSUES FOR
THE COMMANDER—GENERALLY ..................................................................................197
Total Force: Reserve and National Guard Forces ..................................................198
Reassignment to the Individual Ready Reserve ....................................................201
Active Guard/Reserve Curtailments ..........................................................................203
Mobilization Authority ...................................................................................................204
Return of Military Personnel, Employees, and Family Members from
Overseas for Trial .......................................................................................................206
Drug Abuse ........................................................................................................................209
Alcohol Abuse ...................................................................................................................215
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ...........................................................................224
Privacy Act ..........................................................................................................................228
Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Commissary Benefits ..................232
Driving Privileges .............................................................................................................235
Debarment .........................................................................................................................238
Free Speech, Demonstrations, Open Houses and Hate Groups ......................240
Private Organizations .....................................................................................................243
Religious Issues in the Air Force ..................................................................................246
Citizenship for Military Members ...............................................................................254
CHAPTER SEVEN: PERSONNEL ISSUES
FOR THE COMMANDER—MILITARY MEMBERS .......................................................257
Humanitarian Reassignments/Deferments ............................................................259
The Air Force Urinalysis Program ................................................................................261
Urinalysis Checklist for Unit Commanders ..............................................................266
Fraternization and Unprofessional Relationships ................................................269
Hazing ..................................................................................................................................272
Personal Bankruptcy .......................................................................................................274
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Financial Responsibility .................................................................................................275
Bad Checks .........................................................................................................................278
Child Abuse, Child Neglect, and Spousal Abuse ...................................................279
Adoption Reimbursement ............................................................................................282
Paternity Claims ................................................................................................................284
Civilian Jury Service by Military Members ..............................................................285
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) ...................................................287
Anthrax Immunizations .................................................................................................291
Commander Directed Mental Health Evaluations ...............................................294
Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention Program ......................................................298
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ..........................302
Personnel Reliability Program .....................................................................................307
Lautenberg Amendment ..............................................................................................311
Conscientious Objection to Military Service ..........................................................314
Fitness Program ................................................................................................................317
Administrative and Personnel Actions for Failing to Attain
Physical Fitness Standards .....................................................................................320
The Air Reserve Component (ARC) Fitness Program ...........................................321
Unauthorized Absence ..................................................................................................325
Unauthorized Absence for an Air Reserve Component (ARC) Member .......328
Line of Duty Determinations .......................................................................................333
Disability Evaluation System ........................................................................................336
Officer Grade Determinations .....................................................................................339
Tattoos/Brands, Body Piercing, and Body Alteration ..........................................341
CHAPTER EIGHT: PERSONNEL ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER—FAMILY
AND NEXT OF KIN..................................................................................................................345
Family Member Misconduct ........................................................................................346
Removal from Base Housing ........................................................................................348
Family Day Care Homes .................................................................................................349
Child Development Programs .....................................................................................353
Summary Court Officers ................................................................................................355
Disposal of Personal Property .....................................................................................357
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CHAPTER NINE: THE AIR FORCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ...................359
Overview of Legal Assistance Program ....................................................................360
Notaries ...............................................................................................................................364
Preventive Law Program ................................................................................................367
Wills and Powers of Attorney .......................................................................................369
CHAPTER TEN: CIVIL LAW RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS
OF MILITARY PERSONNEL .................................................................................................373
Equal Opportunity and Treatment .............................................................................374
The Inspector General Complaints Resolution Process......................................380
Prohibition on Sexual Harassment ............................................................................386
Political Activities by Air Force Members ................................................................394
Membership and Participation in Hate Groups ....................................................398
Extremist Activities ..........................................................................................................399
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act .................................................................................403
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
(USERRA) ......................................................................................................................406
Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act ..........................................410
Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA).........................................................................414
CHAPTER ELEVEN: CIVIL LAW ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER ........................417
Media Relations During Aircraft Accidents .............................................................418
National Defense Areas ..................................................................................................421
Posse Comitatus ...............................................................................................................425
Air Force Safety and Accident Investigations .........................................................428
Administrative Inquiries and Investigations ..........................................................434
Allegations Against Senior Officials and Colonels (or Equivalents) ...............438
Flying Evaluation Boards ...............................................................................................440
Commercial Activities .....................................................................................................444
MWR and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities ...........................................449
Off-Limits Establishments .............................................................................................451
Unofficial Activities/Squadron Snack Bars ..............................................................453
Acceptance of Volunteer Services ..............................................................................455
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CHAPTER TWELVE: THE AIR FORCE CLAIMS PROGRAM ......................................457
Introduction to Claims ...................................................................................................458
Personal Property Claims ..............................................................................................459
Tort Claims ..........................................................................................................................464
Aviation Claims .................................................................................................................469
Foreign and International Claims ...............................................................................473
Carrier Recovery Claims .................................................................................................478
Reports of Survey (ROS) .................................................................................................480
Property Damage Tort Claims in Favor of the United States ............................487
Medical Cost Reimbursement Claims .......................................................................490
Article 139 Claims ............................................................................................................492
Liability for Damage to Rental Vehicles....................................................................494
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CONTRACTING ISSUES FOR THE COMMANDER .........501
Procurement Integrity ....................................................................................................502
Minor Military Construction Funding .......................................................................505
Unauthorized Procurement .........................................................................................508
Bankruptcy: Government Contractors .....................................................................510
Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed Forces ...512
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: ETHICS ISSUES .........................................................................519
Standards of Ethical Conduct ......................................................................................520
Financial Disclosure Forms ...........................................................................................522
Gifts to Superiors ..............................................................................................................525
Foreign Gifts .......................................................................................................................526
Use of Government Resources for Mementos and Gifts ....................................528
Participation in Frequent Flyer Programs ................................................................530
Use of Government Communications Systems ....................................................532
Honoraria ............................................................................................................................536
Honorary Memberships .................................................................................................537
Off Duty Employment ....................................................................................................538
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