Tag: Area Defense Counsel

Trainees walk onto the black top at the Phingston Reception Center during the Coin and Retreat Ceremony’s Naturalization recognition at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 25, 2024. More than 600 Airmen assigned to Flights 599-613, received the Airman’s coin during the 737th Training Group’s Coin and Retreat Ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Vanessa R. Adame.)

E-1 Facing 17 Years of Confinement Secures Plea Agreement for 3 Years, with Ability to Win Dismissal for Speedy Trial Violations

by VMLadmin

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas--An Airman Basic (Air Force E-1) found himself in pretrial confinement at the Guadalupe County Adult Detention Center (county jail) facing numerous allegations of possessing and distrubiting child pornography (also referred to as child sexual abuse material--CSAM) as well as communicating indecent language. Mr. Tolin and his team jumped into the … Continue reading E-1 Facing 17 Years of Confinement Secures Plea Agreement for 3 Years, with Ability to Win Dismissal for Speedy Trial Violations →

U.S. Army corporals, infantrymen with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, load an M249 squad automatic weapon during Exercise Southern Vanguard 25, in Antuco, Chile, Aug. 26, 2025. Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 underscores the U.S. Army’s enduring commitment to regional partnership as U.S. forces deploy to Chile to conduct combined mountain warfare, field, and command post training alongside Chilean forces, with participation from Argentina and Peru - strengthening interoperability, shared readiness, and mutual trust while advancing regional security and cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Richelle Cruickshank.)

18-year Desertion Case with International Complications Results in Administrative Separation Instead of Trial by Court-Martial

by VMLadmin

Lima, Peru--About 2% of the U.S. military are not citizens of the United States. See Foreign Nationals in the U.S. Armed Forces: Immigration Issues (2025). Many of those foreign nationals adopt the U.S. as their country and use their military service to prove their value to the U.S. as they begin their immigration journey. But … Continue reading 18-year Desertion Case with International Complications Results in Administrative Separation Instead of Trial by Court-Martial →

A U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant of the 86th Logistic Readiness Squadron, packs up a pantograph fueling system after completing a refueling job at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 31, 2024. The in-ground fuels system allowed Cash to pump the aircrafts nearly 32,000 gallon tank by herself, saving the 86th LRS from needing to send multiple fuel trucks and Airmen to accomplish the job. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Bertain.)

Pretrial Confinee Released After Hearing Reveals Illegal Pretrial Confinement of Enlisted Airman

by VMLadmin

Ramstein Air Base, Germany--Officers wield enormous power over enlisted servicemembers. One of those powers is the ability to confine an enlisted member with a low standard of probable cause simply by being an officer--any officer. See Rule 304(b), Rules for Courts-Martial. In general, the Air Force attempts to keep officers from steering too far by … Continue reading Pretrial Confinee Released After Hearing Reveals Illegal Pretrial Confinement of Enlisted Airman →

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks with students and guests during the Senior Leader Orientation Course at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 18, 2024. The course provides training for newly selected brigadier generals and Senior Executive Service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich.)

High-Visibility O-6 Full Acquittal at General Court-Martial of Domestic Violence Allegations

by VMLadmin

Joint Base Andrews, Maryland--Justice finally served in the National Capital Region (Military District of Washington), where an Air Force Colonel had been fighting for his freedom and future for years, after a bad breakup with his ex-wife. The Defense was a sight to see as the team of defense lawyers, paralegal, and defense investigator teamed … Continue reading High-Visibility O-6 Full Acquittal at General Court-Martial of Domestic Violence Allegations →

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet is refueled over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, Sept. 22, 2020. The KC-135 delivers a global-reach aerial capability to support joint and coalition aircraft, and provide war-winning airpower throughout the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Allred.)

Wings Saved at Flying Evaluation Board

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Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas--Mr. Tolin was called in to assist an operational Air Force pilot (flying the KC-135), who had been re-assigned as an Instructor Pilot (flying T-6) at Randolph. Unfortunately, this O-3 pilot did not physically do well in the T-6, and some folks in the training command believed he was malingering, because … Continue reading Wings Saved at Flying Evaluation Board →

U.S. Air Force loadmasters assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, watch as bundles fly off an aircraft during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2021. Over the course of 10 days, crews airdropped donated food, clothing, educational materials, and tools to 55 islanders throughout the South-Eastern Pacific, including the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens.)

Full Acquittal from Island Sexual Assault Allegations at General Court-Martial

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Andersen Air Force Base, Guam--After COVID continued trial the first go around, Mr. Tolin led an 8-person team to the full acquittal of an Air Force E-4 whose promotion to E-5 was placed on hold once the alleged victim made a report of sexual assault. The case started as a standard Department of Defense sexual … Continue reading Full Acquittal from Island Sexual Assault Allegations at General Court-Martial →

Fourteen KC-135 Stratotankers line up during a simulated alert call March 24, 2016, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Known as the “elephant walk,” the alert call was part of an exercise, which displayed the rapid mobility capabilities and teamwork of the men and women at McConnell AFB to take flight within minutes of being notified of a mission. (U.S. Air Force photos/Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury.)

Rank Restored with Headquarters Waiver

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McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas--Following a hard fought administrative discharge board, resulting in probation and rehabilitation, and the ultimate retention of an NCO with medical issues resulting in PT failures, Mr. Tolin didn't settle there. After multiple PT failures in a row, the client's command followed the all-too-easy approach of progressive discipline from the menu … Continue reading Rank Restored with Headquarters Waiver →

460th Security Forces Squadron defender conducts tactical movements during a field exercise in preparation for the Defenders Challenge July 27, 2018, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. Select Air Force Space Command defenders will compete against one another at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and then winners will compete at Camp Bullis, Texas, for the final challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael D. Mathews.)

Special Court-Martial Full Acquittal Drug Use Allegations

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Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado--An Air Force Senior Airman (E-4) tested positive on a unit sweep drug test of the local security forces squadron, in the middle of a long holiday. Mr. Tolin joined this E-4's detailed Area Defense Counsel to fully litigate the case, resulting in a full acquittal in less than ten minutes … Continue reading Special Court-Martial Full Acquittal Drug Use Allegations →

A 22d Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., is prepped for an exercise Amalgam Dart 15-2 aerial refueling mission May 29, 2015, at Eielson AFB, Alaska. During Amalgam Dart, U.S. Air Force KC-135s, alongside Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130T Hercules and CC-150T Polaris tanker crews, had numerous opportunities to practice bilateral aerial refueling with aircraft ranging from U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles and RCAF CF-18 Hornets, to U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors, an E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and a B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton.)

PT Failures: Probation & Rehabilitation to Save Retirement

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McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas--Mr. Tolin came into this case as the third defense counsel for this client. This 17-year NCO had failed multiple PT tests in a row, and the only negative paperwork she had was for those failures. Her command administratively took away her E-6 stripe to teach her a lesson. She kept … Continue reading PT Failures: Probation & Rehabilitation to Save Retirement →