MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 6th Air Mobility Wing Legal Office was presented with the American Bar Association's Legal Assistance for Military Personnel, or LAMP, Distinguished Service Award on Sept. 15. The LAMP Distinguished Service Award recognizes exceptional achievements or exceptional service to or in support of the military legal assistance effort. The MacDill legal office is one of only three in the Department of Defense to win an ABA honor for providing legal assistance to military members.
"This award means a lot to us," said Lt. Col. Martin Mitchell, 6th Air Mobility Wing Staff Judge Advocate. "We strive to provide superior customer focused assistance and believe the programs we have developed provide unsurpassed service and accessibility for the clients we serve. This award recognizes our efforts."
The numbers clearly show why the MacDill legal team was recognized with this award. In 2008, their office saw more than 7,000 members visit for assistance; provided more than 2,250 last will and testaments; and notarized more than 8,000 documents. These totals represent substantial increases over the services provided in 2007 (a 17 percent increase), without any increase in staffing. Information in Air Force legal assistance management systems indicates the services provided by the MacDill Legal Assistance Program saved clients approximately $1.06 million in 2008. The legal office is on track to exceed these numbers in 2009.
The award was presented to Colonel Mitchell in a ceremony held at MacDill's Bayshore Club by Dean Charlotte Wise, who represented the ABA. "It was very meaningful to have Dean Wise present this award to us. She has served in the military and has seen a number of legal assistance programs, so having her recognize our hard work was extremely special," Colonel Mitchell noted.
Dean Wise served 22 years in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC), reaching the rank of captain before retiring. In the Navy, Dean Wise had a successful career -- she was one of the first female attorneys to serve in a position aboard the USS Holland and the first African-American woman to reach the rank of captain in the Navy JAGC. At the time of her retirement, Dean Wise served as commanding officer, Naval Justice School. Currently, Dean Wise serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for George Washington School of Law in Washington, D.C., and is also a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.
Also in attendance at the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Steven J. Lepper, Headquarters Air Mobility Command Staff Judge Advocate, Col. James A. Morgan, 6th Operations Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Janice E. Maupin-Anderson, Command Paralegal Manager, Headquarters Air Mobility Command. Each noted the significance of the award and applauded the efforts of the MacDill legal team.
"We won't stop here," Colonel Mitchell said. "We will continue to examine, expand, and improve our services to meet the needs of our clients. We do so willingly for the men and women who serve those who have served in the past, and the family members that make their service possible."