FORT SILL, Okla. Nov. 19, 2015 -- With an attorney capturing the Distinguished Honor Graduate award at Air Assault School at Fort Hood, Texas, one might wonder if Catherine Bell made a guest appearance as an instructor.
No Hollywood here though, Capt. Aaron Lancaster wears two hats equally well as a man of the law and a Soldier.
Lancaster said Fort Sill's attorneys take pride in being Soldiers first and attending to Army's physical way of life.
"Like everyone else we work on soldiering skills, rucking, though to a lesser extent than a line unit would," he said. "We do PT as much as any other unit on post and keep in shape as much as possible."
Lancaster spoke of the dual life of a military attorney. Of sitting in an office working through mounds of paperwork, and going to court, which are quite contrary to the physical aspects of what the military does. The other side includes participating in exercises and field training.
"I enjoy both and relish the opportunities to do something like Air Assault School as it improves soldiering skills in general," he said.
Lancaster said schools and military exercises, whether field artillery or air defense artillery, give attorneys understanding on weapons systems ultimately making them better advisers should commanders call upon them.
Winning the award as the top graduate was all the more special, because his family lives in Austin, Texas. Given much of his service time has been spent overseas or deployed, Lancaster enjoyed having many family members at his graduation.
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