Scott JA hosts annual symposium

by Airman Gwendalyn Smith
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

2/4/2016 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Air Mobility Wing legal experts held their 6th annual symposium Jan. 29 to assists commanders and first sergeants handle legal situations they may encounter.

"We invited leaders not only from the wing, but also from our mission partners on base--and anyone who may have been interested in coming. We hit on the hot topics we thought would be be the most helpful and gave them as much information as we could," said Capt. William Breslin, 375th AMW chief of military justice.

The 5-hour event focused on providing leaders with the tools necessary to deal with military discipline across a broad spectrum of misconduct. The event was an open discussion forum, which also helped legal personnel understand not only issues that leadership were having but also situations other units may be experiencing.

"I think the discussion is always the most useful part," said Breslin. "We get such great questions, and it's always useful for people to see what other units are dealing with."

Master Sgt. Brenden Leahy, 375th Comptroller Squadron first sergeant, attended the symposium and said he enjoyed the opportunity to network with the legal personnel and learn from his peers in an open forum.

"It was absolutely more beneficial because you get to hear a few stories and scenarios that you wouldn't have heard if it was just 'death by power point alone,'" said Leahy.

Capt. Marta Kolcz-Ryan, 37th AMW acting deputy staff judge advocate,  added, "It's a great opportunity because we learn the issues they are encountering to better tailor our advice. The more we have the ability to engage in a discussion, the better we are equipped to provide the best advice and counsel."