Military Law in the USA has repeatedly been reorganized, but it has always provided reliable legal protection of each soldier and American citizen. Currently, JAG (Judge Advocate General’s Corps) is a complex system of interconnected bodies of Military Justice, which is intended to address a large set of legal and military tasks and activities. First, it ensures the legal support of the troops in peacetime and in wartime in accordance with the US and international law.
Second, it facilitates control of the legal activities of the relevant bodies in the field of civil defense tasks (About the army, n.d.). Third, it oversees the activities of the military and the judiciary, the observance of the disciplinary practices, and the legality of actions in order to determine the legal validity of the decisions taken. Fourth, it is to ensure the legal protection of service members and their families, as well as civil servants, including assistance in matters of civil law procedures.
Effective soldiers of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps are not only full-fledged members of the army, but they are excellent professionals in the legal profession as well. The need to be progressive, proactive, and experienced in both areas (military and legal) is mandatory to be a multifunctional member of the Total Army. Each team member must have equal expertise in both areas, and he or she should strive for lifelong education in these areas (Demarest, 2014).
The dual profession implies the commitment to standards as both soldiers and lawyers. Every soldier in the Army has practical skills in the use of military technology, is trained to furnish tactical activities effectively, can make appropriate solutions regardless of conditions or setting, and is in impeccable physical and intellectual shape. Each soldier must constantly hone their tactical skills and knowledge and be progressive to improve their competence continuously.
All members of the army are committed to education in the field of international politics and foreign affairs in order to be able to respond to the current changes immediately in the most effective way (Pratt, 2014). In addition to military duties, all soldiers have corresponding legal duties. Due to the maneuverability and variability of laws at present, it is necessary for all the soldiers to be flexible and to educate themselves in accordance with the changes of modern norms and social acceptability (Lauritzen, 2013).
As lawyers, members of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps react to every change immediately and help to maintain the discipline and order in the country in compliance with the US Constitution. The concept of One Team gets its best expression in the concept and the essence of the dual profession (One team, one fight, 1998). In this regard, the members maintain discipline through the administration of military justice.
Each team member contributes to the preservation of national security and is able to fight, meanwhile providing legal services (Shah, 2014). Needless to say that “One Team, One Fight, One Future is a commitment to nothing less than a complete transformation of the Total Army” (One team, one fight, 1998, p. 26). The core of the One Team concept is in ensuring the security of the American people at the same time preserving the Constitution.
In conclusion, the One Team concept reveals in the dual profession of being soldiers, Paralegals, and Attorneys at the same time. It requires dedication, discipline, and integrity. Each team member has high moral principles and has the desire to master him or herself in both professions. Judge Advocate General’s Corps soldiers respect heritage, effectively use the resources, and demonstrate exceptional initiative when implementing the core tenets of the American army.
References
About the army. (n.d.). Web.
Demarest, G. (2014). Geoproperty. New York, NY: Routledge.
Lauritzen, P. (2013). The ethics of interrogation. Washington, D. C.: Georgetown University Press.
One team, one fight, one future, total army integration. (1998). Web.
Pratt, M. (2014). US army. Edina, MN: ABDO.
Shah, S. (2014). International law and drone strikes in Pakistan. New York, NY: Routledge.