The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School

We have been in Charlottesville for over two weeks. It feels like much less. Charlottesville is BEAUTIFUL! It’s like Sac County, Iowa, only with more hills and less corn. There is so much to do here. The only problem with that, however, is every minute of every day is filled with some activity or task. I guess that’s called structure. I am sure you’ve heard of instances where the Army provided structure and direction to a wayward youth. Well, the same can be said for a young attorney with a propensity to procrastinate (or doddle as my niece Sophia would call it). In the three months before I left Iowa to come to Virginia, I didn’t have much in the way of a schedule or a dress code for that matter; I did what I wanted when I wanted (“Whatever, I do what I want!”). I guess what I am trying to say is I have gone from one extreme to the other. However, I bought into the Army way of life right from the get go and I absolutely love it!



Below are pictures of the The Judge Advocate Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS):





Below is a picture of the front of TJAGLCS. The hotel rooms/dorms sit on top. Mine is actually visible in this picture to the upper right of the American Flag:



The American Flag below is the first thing I see when I look over my balcony:



Our typical day begins around 0550 (5:50 am) for physical training (PT), which, in the Army means 0540. Confused? I was too at first so don’t worry. You see, it seems, with the Army, if you are given a time to be some place, the general rule is you need to be there ten minutes early (Note: shaving and putting in my contacts while half-asleep are additional skills I’ve mastered since being here). After PT, we are dismissed to get ready for class, which begins at 0820.

We do most of our PT in the parking lot near the last photo in this series. The first three photos are from "The Park" which is the University of Virginia's intramural complex.









Most of us, including myself, live in Army Lodging, which are hotel type accommodations on the 3rd and 4th floors of the JAG School. I would say Army Lodging is about 80% hotel, 20% college dorm. Most of the 20% comes from that distinctive dormitory aroma (not a bad or good smell, just one that smells like my freshman year of college). I have my own bathroom, flat screen TV, and even a maid, who, by now, most likely dreads opening my door. Although officially titled “Army Lodging”, many of its residents affectionately refer to it as “The Jaguar” (Get it? JAGuar? If not, that’s ok, it had to be explained to me too). The rest of our class is spread out amongst a few hotels close to the JAG School. The Jaguar may not have continental breakfast or a pool, but it’s only an elevator ride and a short walk away from our classroom. Most of those living in the hotels brought their families to be with them for these two months of our training. Most of the guys I met and hung out with during the first two weeks fall into that category. So, I don’t get to see them as much as I did before we got to Charlottesville, but that has given me the chance to get to know the rest of our class better. I do miss hanging out more regularly with the guys who are now living in the hotel with their wives/children, but they are excited to have their wives and children here. Some days I can’t imagine being in their shoes; having to balance military training and family life. Other days, most days, I envy them and wish I had that kind of support waiting for me when the day was over.

Below is a picture of my classmate's baby. He's ADORABLE!:



Just because my accommodations do not include a pool, doesn't mean I don't know where it's at. The same goes for the fabulous continental breakfast :-) Below is a picture of us hanging out at the pool after "Zero Day", which is described just below in greater detail:



The weekend after our first full week in Charlottesville, we had the opportunity to participate in “Zero Day”, completion of which is a threshold to an eight-week competition for a slot in either the Army’s Airborne or Air Assault School. So, we competed for the chance to compete. The rules of “Zero Day” were simple; don’t quit. To make a long story short, I signed up, I showed up, I passed out, I passed, and I am currently participating in additional early morning PT for the chance to jump out of a perfect good airplane (Airborne School). Words can’t adequately describe what happened between my showing up and my passing out, but I will try. First, some context: Throughout the years I’ve endured, physically and athletically, pretty much everything and anything thrown at me. Also, I am not in the best shape of my life right now, but I am pretty damn close (end context). Imagine running the 400-meter hurdles. Now, imagine running that horrible, inhumane race in a hot and sweaty wrestling room while carrying a medicine ball. Now, further imagine doing that over and over until someone tells you to stop. “Zero Day” was worse than that. All right, maybe I am embellishing a bit, but not much. Regardless, “Zero Day” was beyond anything I have ever done or ever hope to ever experience again. I have to add that there were two classmates who have prior military service and who have already been through both Airborne and Air Assault School, who showed up and participated in “Zero Day” to help support the rest of us. That tells you all you need to know about our class, especially, our student leadership. Everyone wants everyone else to succeed. It really is a great atmosphere in which to be.

"Zero Day" involved a whole bunch of the hill in the picture below. It's deceptively steep:



We have a little over ten weeks to learn an entirely new legal system and a variety of complex, military subject matters. Because of this, our professors, who themselves are Army JAG Officers, have compared our classroom instruction to drinking from a fire hose. I agree with them. Our first hosing was Administrative Law, which concluded last Thursday morning with our first exam. After lunch, our Criminal Law block of instruction began. I really enjoy class, especially our instructors. Some of our current subject matter, Criminal Law, might even be relevant to a job in my civilian life I might be starting come January 1, 2011. ☺ The days do get long and the “Zzzzz monster”, as our Commander calls him/it, is always lurking around the classroom, especially in the afternoon after lunch.

I don't have any pictures of our classroom yet, but below are pictures of the University of Virginia School of Law. The TJAGLCS (our school) is adjacent to the University Virginia School of Law.





Last week our school celebrated the JAG Corp’s 235th Birthday. I am so proud to be part of an organization with so much history. Below are pictures from the event (the middle picture is our Commanding General cutting the Birthday Cake):







Also last week, the book “Ghost Soliders”/ moive “The Great Raid” was brought up in conversation. The book and movie noted above recount the true story of the 6th Army Ranger’s rescue of over 100 POWs during World War II. My Grandfather (Maynard Mitties) was in the 6th Army Rangers and took part in liberating those 100 plus POWs. I am usually pretty humble, but when either the book/movie is brought up, I don’t hesitate to brag about my Grandpa! Below is a picture of my Grandpa and I at my Army commissioning ceremony last November:



In a couple weeks we have our “Blues Reception”, which I understand to be a formal dinner event for our class. Yesterday, I took my Army Service Uniform, to get tailored. It’s a very sharp looking uniform. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

I need to get to bed, but I hope you enjoyed this post. I miss you and all and I think about you all the time. The 2nd Brigade of the 34th Infantry Division (Iowa National Guard) is leaving this week to begin their three months of training to prepare them for their yearlong tour in Afghanistan. Please keep them and all our military and their families in your thoughts and prayers