Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Illionois Army and Air National Guard Legal Assistance for Soldiers and Airmen

The Illionois Army and Air National Guard provides some legal help to servicemembers, veterans and their families. According to its Legal Assistance for Soldiers and Airmen page:
"Illinois National Guard judge advocates provide legal assistance to military personnel, retirees and their qualified dependents in accordance with applicable Army and Air Force legal assistance regulations. Legal assistance available to traditional (part-time, M-Day Soldiers) National Guard Soldiers/Airmen primarily consists of:

  • Pre-mobilization legal planning
  • Preparation of simple wills and powers of attorney
  • Briefing and counseling on the Soldiers and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940
  • Reemployment Rights
Traditional Guard Soldiers/Airmen seeking legal assistance services should contact their command's legal office. Legal Assistance is by appointment only. For information on making an appointment, contact the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, Judge Advocate General's office by phone at 217-761-3510, DSN: 555-3510, or e-mail.mailto:jagil@il.ngb.army.mil

Illinois National Guard judge advocates cannot represent service members in criminal or civil courts.
The webpage suggests that the help is not limited to Illinois Guard members only, but it may be available to servicemembers and veterans generally, which is a pretty generous offer. It is not general-purpose legal help, but focussed on the issues mentioned above; it may be unreasonable to expect any office to handle every legal matter. For more information, read the  Legal Assistance for Soldiers and Airmen page.

Kudos to the Illionois Guard for this program!

No comments: