Remarks of
Lt. General Jack L. Rives, USAF (Ret.)

Upon Accepting the
Judge Advocates Association
Robinson O. Everett
Distinguished Life Service Award

Judge Advocates Association - Judge Advocates Foundation
Annual Awards Dinner
Army Navy Country Club
Arlington, Virginia

12 May 2011


Thank you.

This is a great honor.  I was present at the Dinner in 1999 when this Award was first presented, to Chief Judge Robinson Everett.  It’s especially meaningful because it carries the name of such an incredible man.

I first met Judge Everett in the late 1970’s.  I was impressed with how kind and supportive he was; he became a personal mentor to me.  Later, I learned that he treated me as he treated everyone.  Everyone felt special in his presence.  I last saw Judge Everett at the 2009 Judge Advocate Association Awards dinner.  Judge Everett was the same as ever.  He was literally a man who had “never met a stranger.”

I accept this award as a representative of so many who are deserving, especially my JAG Corps colleagues.

I thank my wife, Marie, for her patience and support.  Without that, I would have separated from the Air Force . . . about 30 years ago.  Much would have been different.  In many ways, in our early days she loved the military more than I.

Service as a judge advocate is a singular opportunity.  It imprints an ethic of service upon all who wear, and have worn, the uniform.  Service becomes not just a way to earn a living, it becomes a lifestyle . . . a unique and immensely satisfying lifestyle.  As judge advocates, we serve two very noble professions -- and we’re able to do both the right way.

When I retired from the Air Force last year I wanted to continue to serve, to do something meaningful, and I wanted to be challenged.  My position with the American Bar Association (ABA) meets those objectives.  I’ve found the ABA really does represent America’s legal profession.  It provides the professional support, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities lawyers need to enhance their professional skills and their practices.

Only a national bar association can do things like accredit law schools, vet federal judge nominees, and work on standards for professional responsibility.  The ABA has a remarkably effective group of lobbyists.  We’re vigilant about protecting the institutions of justice, and we work to assure access to justice for all.  We’re involved in rule of law initiatives across the globe.

The ABA deeply respects the service of attorneys in uniform.  I encourage you to check our new website.  If you use the search term “military lawyer” you’ll see our new portal page on military law, which is focused on the items that you work on and care about.  Let me know what you think of it, because we really want to make it useful for you.

When I was a new attorney, I assumed that everyone joined the ABA, the world’s largest voluntary professional association.  Tonight’s program includes a special, free membership offer, good through the end of our fiscal year.  You also have our new brochure, describing special dues rates for members of the JAG Corps.  I hope those of you who do not currently participate will consider the benefits of ABA membership.

I’d like to turn to another, very serious subject.  When I was on active duty, I appreciated the efforts of former and retired judge advocates to help those actively serving.  In March of this year, an issue arose affecting the JAG community that caused me -- and others in the retired ranks -- to become involved.  We didn’t do this lightly; this goes to the heart of the rule of law within our Armed Forces.

As you know, the Secretary of Defense is concerned with cost-saving measures for the defense budget.  His staff prepared recommendations, including elimination of three Air Force judge advocate brigadier general positions.  Will this save money?  A little.  Actually, the difference in pay between three brigadier generals and three colonels will amount to a billion dollars – in 20,000 years.  But the impact of cutting those three positions will be devastating to a JAG Corps tasked with providing candid, apolitical legal advice.

Thirty retired Air Force judge advocate general officers stepped up and wrote to the Senate Armed Services Committee to express our concern.  I should emphasis that this is not merely a matter of losing three general officer positions.  It clearly undermines the independence of judge advocates.  In the military, rank matters.  Lack of rank prevents even trusted advisors from being invited to certain meetings, from having a seat at the table, from being able to obtain information -- and from having an impact on matters of significance, including national security.

Frankly, many administration officials through the years have resented the independence of judge advocates.  They want “political legal advice” that serves ideological agendas.  That’s not what independent judge advocates do.

In my view, law is not a vehicle to justify any and every result.  Lawyers do represent both sides on many issues, but they must do so with integrity.  I know of many instances when decision-makers received apolitical, well-reasoned advice only because JAGs were not excluded from the room, as some desired.  Diminishing the Air Force JAG Corps leadership cadre sends all the wrong messages about the role of law in the Armed Forces.

This is a vitally important issue and I assure you that I, along with others, including many in this room tonight, will continue to work to turn around a bad decision from the staff of the Secretary of Defense.

On the crest of the Air Force JAG Corps is an eagle with a banner across its breast.  The banner has the motto of the Air Force JAG Corps: “Wisdom – Valor – Justice.”  As I consider the challenges to their independence that judge advocates have faced through the years, I believe that we may also view that eagle as a phoenix.  The phoenix is the mythical bird that never dies.  It has a 1,000-year life cycle.  Near the end, the bird builds a nest of twigs that ignites.  Both the nest and the bird burn intensely, then the phoenix is reborn anew, to live again . . . repeating the cycle.  The phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space.  That’s what the judge advocate community does.

For 33 years I was honored to wear my Nation’s uniform.  I will never forget all the people, including so many in this room, who were integral to my career.  I am indebted to you, and I want you to know how proud I am to have had the opportunity to serve with you.

Even though I hung up my uniform for the last time more than a year ago, in a real sense, the JAG badge remains where it was all those years: just above my heart.  

Thank you so much.