Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | Capt. Leah Pettitt, the command JAG with the 15th SB, 13th SC (E) enjoys being able to...... read more read more
By Spc. Karly Cooper
15th Sustainment Brigade PAO
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Many Soldiers coming into combat often find that legal issues have a way of following right along behind them. Whether they need guidance or legal advice, they can go talk to a Judge Advocate General officer; Army-talk for a lawyer.
Capt. Leah Pettitt works as the command JAG for the 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), helping Soldiers who need legal assistance and advice.
"It feels good when you run into a Soldier and they say "Thanks Ma'am" you really helped me." said Pettitt.
She grew up in Fresno, Calif. and, between her second and third year at law school, started talking with a JAG recruiter. She didn't know much about the military and how things worked but she made an appointment and found out what the military had to offer. In 2004, Pettitt decided to join the Army.
"I liked the thought of how in the military you can work on a variety of different issues and in civilian law you generally work on one." said Pettitt.
She went to Officer Basic Course at Ft. Lee, Va., learning what it takes to be a Soldier, then spent another two and a half months in Charlottsville, Va. Within four months of pinning on her gold bar as a Second Lieutenant, she deployed to Camp Liberty with the 1st Cavalry Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV.
"My family lives vicariously through me; they call me all the time and ask 'What did you do today?' They get very excited," she said.
She offers legal assistance in administrative law and her skills allow her to provide guidance when dealing with divorce, powers of attorney, wills, notary service and immigration and naturalization.
"It's great to be giving our service to Soldiers over here with their personal issues so that they can focus on their mission."
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2007 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 8945 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 56 |
This work, JAG Helping Soldiers In The Combat Zone, by SPC Karly Cooper, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
