Legal provides for you

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maria Ruiz
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The Legal office has many responsibilities concerning all Airmen on base. The number one job is making sure that everyone is treated fairly. 

"Justice is the main focus," said Capt. Kellyann Boehm, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate. 

The Legal office is divided into two sections, military justice and civil law.
Civil law handles many miscellaneous situations concerning such things like environmental issues, building regulations, homosexual briefings, contracts and vendors on base. 

Captain Boehm said, tax preparation is an important service provided. 

Last year, the service saved McConnell members more than $100,000 in tax preparation fees and returned $1.4 million. There were more than 800 tax customers, including retirees, active duty, guard and reserve. The tax center will be run by Tech. Sgt. Thalia Miner and Dawn McConnell, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate. The program opens Feb. 1 through April 15. To take advantage of this service and save money while knowing that the people preparing taxes are properly certified, for more information call 759-3590. 

Military justice oversees many cases, such as, Article 15, court martial, discharges and dependent crimes on base. 

Among other things, civil matters like adoption and divorce are handled by military justice. One thing to remember is that civil matters are taken as guidance, Legal cannot represent a military member in the civilian sector. 

On a day to day basis, military justice speaks to first sergeants and commanders to answer any questions they may have and give advice on proper legal procedures. They also provide information to base security forces and the Office of Special Investigation.