E-Pubs

I don't know if I've posted this yet, but I thought that I'd put something out there explaining, in basic terms, how the Air Force Instructions (AFIs) work and how to find them. First of all, like most federal agencies, the armed services are governed in a top-down way, with the constitution at the top and local base or unit supplementary regulations at the bottom. The AFIs actually are near the bottom, but, because they are more in-depth and comprehensive than a statute or Department of Defense regulation or instruction, you refer to the AFIs a lot more often. Basically, the AFIs implement federal statutes and DoD-level regulations. The rules at that level often are vague and affirmatively require that further regulations be written at the service level. Thus, the AFIs often are the first place to look for the applicable rules governing a particular activity in the Air Force. Our job as JAGs can be: (1) making sure that particular activities on base comply with the AFIs; and/or (2) making sure that local rules, orders, and supplements do not conflict with the AFIs or with higher-level statutes or regulations.

AFIs can be found on the Air Force E-Pubs site here. I have it in my favorites because I use it so often. I find its search capability to be a little lacking, but I have generally been able to find what I'm looking for with a little work.

First Trial Complete!

I've been checked out for a couple of weeks working on my first full trial. The case was a partial guilty plea, but heavy on motions. We basically litigated the case twice -- once during the motion portion and again during the findings portion. We did not have members (a jury), but it still was a lot of work. Basically, we didn't really know what the defense was going to do until the last minute. Therefore, we had to prepare for a lot of different scenarios. All in all, it went well. We anticipated nearly everything and were well prepared. We focused heavily on motions, which I think was wise because our case was won by getting the evidence in. There are a few things that I learned for next time:

1. Have applicable sentencing law in front of you while attempting to introduce sentencing exhibits.

2. Make sure you have prepared direct examination questions for witnesses, even when you think the other side is going to stipulate to the testimony and evidence.
3. Don't drink too much when it's finally over. Not that I did that -- just good advice.

Verona Street Performer

He really wasn't that good -- but it was still pretty cool to see this as we were walking home from a good Italian dinner.

Verona

My wife and I were supposed to go to Budapest this weekend on an ITT trip, but the trip was canceled. Instead, we decided to go to Verona, Italy and stay the night. It was great. We stayed at the Residence Antico San Zeno. It was a fine place set in a renovated Medieval building with a full kitchen and lights in the floor. We toured the sites and ate at Al Carro Armato. The food was good, even though we did not sample the Veronese specialty -- horse meat. The city is known for Roman ruins, opera, and a balcony that purportedly belonged to Juliet (it didn't -- it was erected in the 1930s). The families on which Shakespeare based Romeo and Juliet reportedly were from nearby Vincenza. Juliet's balcony has become more famous as a tourist trap -- which it is. Below are my favorite pictures from Verona.