Tag: Senior 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 →

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," set off cannons during a performance of the 1812 Overture at the National Museum of the United States Army, Fort Belvoir, Va., Aug. 8, 2021. The concert has taken place annually for more than 40 years. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Brandon Muniz.)

Retired Soldier Exonerated Through General Court-Martial Dismissal of Sexual Assault Allegations

by VMLadmin

Fort Belvoir, Virginia--Following a multi-year saga, this LTC Retired finally can enjoy his retirement in peace, after the convening authority dimissed two charges referred against him: one for sexual assault, and one for assault consummated by a battery on his son. *** Near the end of his active-duty career, an Army LTC began dating an … Continue reading Retired Soldier Exonerated Through General Court-Martial Dismissal of Sexual Assault Allegations →

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 →

The 55th Force Support Squadron superintendent acts as the first-source of flood information for the 55th FSS from the Recovery Operations Center March 19, 2019, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The 55th Wing experienced record flooding as a result of unprecedented snowfall coupled with a dam in the northern part of the sate that failed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger.)

Dismissal of Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC Allegations at General Court-Martial

by VMLadmin

Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska--A young officer stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota unknowingly tested positive for delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and small quantities of delta-9 THC. He was brought in to OSI, they tested his vape with his consent, and let him go on his way. It turns out his nicotine vape had … Continue reading Dismissal of Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC Allegations at General Court-Martial →

An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker sits on the flight line at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings.)

Rescue Defense Counsel Full Acquittal at General Court-Martial of Rape and Domestic Violence Allegations

by VMLadmin

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida--Tremendous wins often start from the saddest of circumstances, and this case is no different. Our NCO client was juggling the life with two women, his wife and his ex-wife, and had a child with each. It got too much for his second wife, and she concocted the worst of lies … Continue reading Rescue Defense Counsel Full Acquittal at General Court-Martial of Rape and Domestic Violence Allegations →

A P-51 Mustang flies side by side with an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the crowd June 28, 2014, during the Warriors Over the Wasatch Air Show at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The Warriors Over the Wasatch air show was open to the public June 28 and 29. Events during the show include the U.S. Army parachute team, the Golden Knights; an F-16 attack demonstration by the 388th Fighter Wing and a precision air demonstration by the Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Queen.)

IG Reprisal Investigation Against O-7 Unfounded

by VMLadmin

Hill Air Force Base, Utah--A common occurrence in the current Department of Defense environment is when leaders hold subordinates accountable, those leaders then get investigated for all sorts of false allegations. This is especially true for commanders. But the right to legal advise exists for commanders, too, and should be exercised. In this particular case, … Continue reading IG Reprisal Investigation Against O-7 Unfounded →

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 →

The U. S. Space Force successfully launched the Tactically Responsive Launch-2 (TacRL-2) mission on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on June 13 2021, at 4:11 a.m. EDT, delivering a technology demonstration satellite to Low Earth Orbit. (U.S. Space Force Photo Courtesy Image.)

Now Retired Air Force E-7 Fully Acquitted at General Court-Martial of Domestic Violence Allegations

by VMLadmin

Vandenberg Space Force Base, California--This Senior Non-commissioned Officer served honorably for decades, and on his terminal leave, he was called back and put under investigation. You guessed it, ex-wife allegations never raised until a custody dispute. Not only was this Air Force E-7 facing 15 felony-level offenses, he was fighting for his freedom, his retirement, … Continue reading Now Retired Air Force E-7 Fully Acquitted at General Court-Martial of Domestic Violence Allegations →