FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Judge Advocate General staff members celebrated the 241st birthday of JAG July 29 at Fort Riley in the large courtroom of Clausen Hall.
The celebration began with a brief congratulations from Col. John D. Lawrence, Fort Riley garrison commander.
Lawrence thanked those in attendance for all they do not just for the Fort Riley community, but Army as a whole. He explained he always had a staff member of the Judge Advocate on his staff as he views them as imperative to any commander.
"I have an SJA beside me, guiding me and advising me because your advice is critical to a commander," Lawrence said. "Never, ever forget."
Following Lawrence's words, Lt. Melissa Eisenberg, legal assistant for the office of the
Staff Judge Advocate, provided a history of the 241 years of JAG's service to the Army and nation, a reading of all JAG personnel lost since 2008 and some of the tasks performed by JAG.
Working together, Col. Warren Wells, staff judge advocate, Lawrence and Pvt. Chandler Tinagero, the youngest of the JAG personnel, sliced a cake with a saber.
Once the cake was cut, the staff judge advocate, garrison commander, youngest and eldest JAG personnel, each took a bite in tandem of the first few pieces of cake to be served.
JAG provides a number of services to Soldiers and their families. The staff are able to assist with claims for damages on items after a new move, assisting injured Soldiers with insurance, advising commanders, providing legal assistance, wills and powers of attorneys, as well as many other services.
"Our goal and our vision is to be, not only a great place to work, but also Fort
Riley's law firm of choice," Wells said. "We want to be so customer service based and so responsive to the need of commanders and soldiers that when people have problems, they want to come to us."
Pfc. Bridgette Savage, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, said she discovered how important JAG is to Fort Riley and the Army after she began assisting at the office.
"I would say they are the backbone (of the Army)," Savage said. "Without the structure of the JAG core (the Army would not run as smoothly). After coming to work here, I see that JAG core is actually a lot of structure. It's like a foundation for everything."
JAG's role and 241 years of success are a reflection of how important the legal system and advice the staff offers are to the nation as a whole, Wells said.
"It shows that the Army and America value the will of the law and have led the way in providing due process to Soldiers and also advising commanders," Wells said. "This is an Army that wants to do the right thing. I think 241 years shows that that commitment continues today."
For more information about Fort Riley's JAG services, visit www.riley. army.mil/Units/Staff/Staff-Judge-Advocate/.
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