An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Display

The Defense Domain: ADC is here for you

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wes Miller
  • Area Defense Counsel
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  Most Air Force members have an intuitive sense to go see the doctor when they have a fever or a dentist when they have a toothache. They also know to go to the Finance Office if their pay is incorrect and to the Airman and Family Readiness Center for help with setting up a budget. However, there is also an office here whose primary job responsibility is to help you when you may be "in trouble" with your commander, first sergeant, supervisor, security forces or the Office of Special Investigations.

My name is Capt. Wes Miller, and I am your McGuire AFB Area Defense Counsel. The Air Force pays me to act as legal counsel for members in need. In other words, I am your hired attorney, provided at no cost to you. Because I don't work for the wing commander, group commander, staff judge advocate or anyone on this base, I am free to zealously protect the legal rights of my clients without any fear of censure from the chain of command. And because I am a judge advocate - a fully licensed attorney who happens to be a member of the same great military family as you - I owe to each of my clients my undivided professional loyalty. This means I listen well, talk straight and never reveal what my clients say to me without their permission.

So, what does all of this have to do with you? Perhaps nothing. On the other hand, while some people are able to make it through their Air Force careers without any problems, others may have to deal with an Article 15, court-martial, discharge, denial of reenlistment, demotion action, letter of reprimand or report of survey. Others might be the subject of an OSI or security forces investigation. Others might be nervous about a bounced check or how an off-base DWI might impact their career. Regardless of what specific legal problem you may have, just remember that I am here to be your lawyer and advocate.

The bottom line is that you, as military members, often have more rights guaranteed to you by the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Air Force regulations than do civilians under the Constitution. One of these very powerful rights which you possess is the right to consult with me. My job is to safeguard and fight for those rights, and to ensure that you are treated fairly.

Staff Sgt. Tara Harvey, defense paralegal, and I have our office in Bldg. 2906, Room 116. Please give us a call at (609) 754-2349 if you think you may need to speak with us.