Photo By Sgt. Alyssa Lisenbe | U.S. Army Maj. Donald Cravins, judge advocate, District of Columbia National Guard,...... read more read more
WASHINGTON -- District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) judge advocates provide guidance to Soldiers and Airmen during Operation Capitol Response on Jan. 10, 2021 at the D.C. Armory.
National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to the National Capital Region to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration.
Major Don Cravins, Jr., a command judge advocate with the DCNG Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, is one of several judge advocates and paralegals tasked with ensuring Soldiers and Airmen are briefed on mission rules and guidelines.
“The safety and protection of the public is our top priority at the District of Columbia National Guard. One of the most important jobs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is to ensure Soldiers and Airmen are briefed and trained on the laws and rules that form the mission,” said Cravins.
Cravins has served nearly 10 years in the National Guard and has been a licensed attorney since 1998.
“As an Army lawyer, my job is to ensure Soldiers and Airmen clearly understand the do's and dont's of the mission,” said Cravins. “My teammates and I brief them on the rules of conduct, the use of force and de-escalation techniques, the laws of the District of Columbia and on Department of Defense regulations. We also go through real-life training scenarios and explain the rights and protections allotted to them as Soldiers and Airmen under Title 32 of the United States Code.”
Some Guardsmen who are supporting Operation Capitol Response will be sworn in as special police by civilian law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Their duties will include protecting members of Congress and other congressional personnel and securing the grounds and property of the U.S. Capitol.
“Knowing and understanding the rules related to the use of force, self-defense and defense of others and rules of conduct are vital keys to ensuring a successful mission,” said Cravins.
Cravins is a former state legislator and served as a chief of staff to a United States Senator. Having worked in government and at the U.S. Capitol building for a number of years, Cravins feels a special relationship with this mission.
“I am proud to be an American Soldier and to serve with the men and women of the National Guard. I, along with many other men and women, are working behind the scenes to ensure our Soldiers and Airmen have the tools and resources necessary to successfully perform the mission. We have a long and proud history of supporting our nation, its Capitol and the District of Columbia, and we are working hard to continue that tradition.”
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 01.16.2021 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 387048 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, National Guard Judge Advocates Brief Soldiers and Airmen During Operation Capitol Response, by Anthony Small, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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