The ADC keeps Airmen’s interests in mind

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jeff Parkinson
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Every now and then an Airman may find themselves on the other side of trouble, whether it’s an alleged uniform infraction or allegedly being absent without leave.

The defense counselors at the Area Defense Counsel are here to help.

Prior to the ADC program going into effect on July 1, 1974, Airmen seeking defense services were assisted by an attorney in their legal office.

“As one might imagine, this caused some uneasiness where the perception of undue command influence lie,” said Tech. Sgt. Marissa Jones, a paralegal with the ADC. “Ultimately, the program was established to serve as an independent entity where Airmen would be represented in defense-related activities by military attorneys not located in the base legal office and most importantly, not subject to the same chain of command as the legal office and potentially their accusers.”

In doing so, the program improved the negative perception military members had regarding undue command influence and the overall handling of their defense concerns.

Hurlburt Field’s ADC consists of two defense counselors and a defense paralegal whose responsibilities are to defend and represent the Airmen, whether it’s as minor as a Letter of Counseling for being late for work or a court-martial for more serious crimes such as driving under the influence.

“The ADC is an agency where Airmen can come and get advice on how to respond to those sorts of things,” said Jones. “I like to tell people that the ADC is for those individuals who feel they’re on the other end of trouble or have been served paperwork.”

ADCs are selected by the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force from the JAG corps.

“Typically, ADCs have two to four years’ experience at a base or specialty legal office,” said Capt. Nathan Allred, an area defense counselor with the ADC at Hurlburt Field. “There is a benefit to having worked in a legal office [first] because all ADCs have been prosecutors or advised commanders on legal issues. ADCs can use that experience to help guide their clients.”

With different interests in mind, the legal office and the ADC stand on separate sides of the court room.

“The legal office represents the Air Force and the commanders of the base,” said Capt. Jenna Arroyo, an ADC at Hurlburt Field. “They offer legal assistance such as power of attorneys as well as being the prosecutor in any type of court martial.”

The ADC is a neutral party in these legal proceedings as they fall under a different chain of command, according to Arroyo.

“We fall under a chain of command [located in the] District of Columbia,” said Arroyo. “Therefore, we are not influenced by any chain of command on this base because we are here specifically to represent the Airmen in their defense.”

Airmen can receive help with many different situations. If the administrative action or other situation allows the Airman to make a response, the ADC can help. The wide range of disciplinary defense offered can assist an Airmen in appealing a report of survey finding of accountability for missing or damaged equipment, or even a referral Enlisted Performance Report.

“It’s important for Airmen to know that receiving paperwork and other administrative actions is not the end of their career, that it’s only a hiccup,” said Jones. “I recommend that anyone who has received any sort of paperwork, or feels like they are on the other side of trouble, to make an appointment with the ADC to receive assistance on how to recover and fix the problem.”

To make an appointment with the ADC, call (850) 884-5216