Hold My Reg

In this episode, LTC Jessica Reis, Chair and MAJ Landon Medley, Associate Professor in the Administrative and Civil Law Department (ADA) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) discuss the federal ethics rules that employees are likely to encounter during the holiday season. The holiday season presents challenges with gift exchanges between employees and from outside sources, holiday office parties, and invitations to events. The purpose of this podcast is to educate both Army attorneys and federal employees on the basic ethics rules that are likely to arise during the holiday season. For further study, the Department of War Standards of Conduct Office, Office of the General Counsel, has released an annual Holiday Guidance available on their website.

In this episode, Major Ceara Riggs, Associate Professor in the Administrative and Civil Law Department (ADA) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) interviews Ms. Traci Voelke, Legal Assistance Attorney at Fort Belvoir and Gold Star Spouse. Ms. Voelke discusses various benefits available to the surviving spouses and children of Service members who have died while serving. Ms. Voelke explains the importance of available benefits, the timelines and processes for electing such benefits, and how various benefits interact or offset each other so families can make informed decisions and Judge Advocates can appropriately advise commanders. Ms. Voelke’s husband, MAJ Paul Voelke, was killed in Afghanistan in 2012 while on his fifth deployment. Despite being the family care team coordinator for her husband’s unit, she was not prepared for the myriad of benefit complexities that ensued but has since learned about the benefits available and advocated for additional benefits for surviving family members. Outside of her military work, she also serves as a board member and Survivor Outreach Coordinator for the 98 Fund / the Alaska Project, advises the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on issues affecting military survivors as part of the Survivor Advisory Working Group, and recently served on the DoD working group, “Making Your Final Wishes Known.”

In this episode, LTC Chris Kinslow and MAJ Curtis Cranston, Associate Pro-fessors in the Administrative and Civil Law Department (ADA) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) interview LTC Jen-na Ferrell, Chief of the Litigation Branch at the Army Environmental Law Divi-sion (ELD), which is part of the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency at Fort Bel-voir. LTC Ferrell introduces the audience to the broad range of environmental law challenges and opportunities facing the Army and ELD’s role in represent-ing the Army in environmental litigation matters. LTC Ferrell discusses ELD’s structure and responsibilities and its interface with the Department of Justice and state and local governments. This is an area of law unfamiliar to most Judge Advocates, and the purpose of this podcast is to provide general expo-sure to the topic and educate Army attorneys on basic issue spotting of possible environmental law issues and where to reach out for help.

In this episode, Major Alexandra Bearden, Associate Professor in the Administrative and Civil Law Department (ADA) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) and Law of Federal Employment portfolio holder interviews Ms. Anna Saulter, 2024 Summer Associate Program intern, and Ms. Dorothy Edger-ton, Senior Civilian at Fort Jackson. Ms. Saulter discusses her unique experience as a summer associate before starting her final year of law school. Ms. Saulter had hands on experience working with civilian attorneys in various areas of law. Ms. Edgerton has served as an Army civilian for 32 years and provides a unique perspec-tive. Not only did Ms. Edgerton serve as a mentor to the summer associates at Fort Jackson, but she also had the unique opportunity to sit on the interview panel for the inaugural 2024 Summer Associate Program. Both guests share their unique experi-ences and offer valuable insight to those who may be interested in applying to the program and ultimately joining the JAG Corps as federal civilian employees. The 2025 Summer Associate Program application for 2Ls is currently closed, but the application for 1Ls is available in January at https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/GoArmyJAG/2025-Army-JAGC-Summer-Associate-Program. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/ or on Facebook (tjaglcs), Instagram (tjaglcs), or LinkedIn (school/tjaglcs).

In this episode, LTC Hans Zeller, Chair of the Administrative and Civil Law De-partment (ADA) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) interviews COL Danyele Jordan, SJA, TRANSCOM, and former Legal Advisor to the Inspector General (IG) at the time of recording this episode, and Dr. Herman Walker Chief, Whistleblower Branch. COL Jordan and Dr. Walker discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Inspector General in investigating allegations of whistleblower and reprisal made by members of the Army. In addition, the experts share insights into investigations stemming from allegations of restricted communications to members of Congress or IG. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Un-scripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Depart-ment). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/ or on Facebook (tjaglcs), Instagram (tjaglcs), or LinkedIn (school/tjaglcs).