Local judge briefs JA Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A Sedgwick County 18th judicial district court judge trained 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate Airmen about the Kansas domestic laws July 16, 2010.

Jeff Syrios, who works in family law, took half of his day to support McConnell's Judge Advocate Airmen and McConnell's mission.

"I offered to meet with the base staff attorneys to discuss family law court in Sedgwick County," said Judge Syrios. "Some of the base attorneys regularly deal with family law issues as they counsel with Airmen and their spouses. I felt it would be a good opportunity to talk a little about the policies and procedures in District Court."

The impact of Judge Syrios briefing will be felt throughout the base according to Capt. Sam Kidd, 22nd ARW JA chief of legal assistance and preventative law.

"I know I took a full page of notes," said Captain Kidd. "We will be able to give much more detailed and insightful advice to Airmen regarding divorce, child custody, child support and spousal maintenance."

The benefits of the briefing were two-sided as both McConnell and Judge Syrios gained insight from the experience.

"There were plenty of good questions and I benefited in getting a better perspective of the issues faced by Airmen and their spouses who come through our court," said Judge Syrios.

According to Captain Kidd, the briefing to JA Airmen resulted in trained and more knowledgeable Airmen able to give better advice to Team McConnell.

"We understand the process much better now, so I feel like we will be able to help our Airmen know what to expect and how to plan for issues that may arise post divorce," he said.

The training the JA Airmen received is an example of how a member of the Honorary Commander program can provide outside training for Airmen.

Judge Syrios is also the 22nd ARW JA Honorary Commander. The outreach program is a platform for community leaders to connect with McConnell's commanders and their units.

"[The Honorary Commander program] is good for the base because it lets the community see that while we are unique in many ways, there is a lot of common ground," said Captain Kidd.

Judge Syrios's visit and briefing were examples of the Honorary Commander program in practice.

"Just like we might call 18th Air Force or Air Mobility Command Judge Advocate for advice on an Air Force-specific legal issue, once we have done our own research we can place a call to Judge Syrios to get his [help] on a family law issue for a legal assistance client," said Captain Kidd.

For information on domestic law, contact the base law office desk at 759-3590.