Guest Essay | William Paparian: Soldier First, Lawyer Always

Three years ago, after more than four decades in private practice, I joined an elite group of lawyers, the Legal Support Command of the California State Guard. I became one of approximately forty lawyers in the state who have exchanged courtroom attire for combat boots, volunteer citizen soldiers who have answered the call to serve. These comments are my own and not necessarily approved or endorsed by the California State Guard or the California National Guard.

The Legal Support Command is a component of the California State Guard, a volunteer force, formed to provide California with a trained and organized force during a state emergency.
Authorized by Congress as a State Defense Force under Title 32 of the United States Code and established by the Legislature under the California Military and Veterans Code, it is under the command of the Adjutant General of California and the Governor.

The currently constituted California State Guard is carrying on in a proud tradition of service to the people of California. During World War I we were known as the California Home Guard, during World War II, when the force rose to the level of 75,000 service-members, we were also known as the State Guard. During the Korean War, we were known as the National Guard Reserve, and from the Vietnam War until Operation Enduring Freedom, we were known as the State Military Reserve.

I was transformed from Vietnam Era Marine Corps NCO to Commissioned Officer, a Captain Judge Advocate (JAG). And in doing so, I committed myself to attend twelve monthly drills and contribute a minimum of one hundred hours of volunteer service annually. I am subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), as incorporated into state law, as well as military orders and regulations. And while I serve without pay, I can also be ordered to unpaid Temporary State Active Duty (TSAD) and paid State Active Duty (SAD), including during state emergencies, and appointed to full time SAD positions. There are approximately 1,800 service members in the California State Guard who volunteer more than two hundred hours per year for the people of our great state.

One weekend a month I attend a Unit Training Assembly (UTA) at a local National Guard Armory. I report in uniform, and stand a rigorous inspection as well as an occasional close-order drill.

Then we have legal education classes in military oriented subject matter, designed to enhance our skills as both soldiers and military lawyers. We are required to adhere to the highest standards of military professionalism.

My JAG assignments have included Trial Defense Services (TDS), where I was called upon to have an actual attorney-client confidential relationship with service members facing accusations of wrong-doing under the UCMJ. I have participated in Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) at Camp Roberts where I provided legal assistance to California National Guard soldiers in preparation for their deployment to Poland, and a Yellow Ribbon Event (YRE) where I provided legal assistance to service members upon their return from overseas deployment. I have trained at Joint Forces Training Bases Los Alamitos and Camp San Luis Obispo, where I ate in the mess hall with the troops. I have been called upon to defend a high-ranking officer in a civil proceeding and currently am assisting members of the 40th Infantry Division of the California National Guard who are deployed in the Middle East with deferrals of their financial obligations while on active duty.

And I was placed TSAD to assist with the preparation and execution of the Pasadena Veterans Day Event that included the participation of California State Guard which provided the guest speaker, military chaplain, and California Military Museum as participants.

Today there are JAG Officers throughout California engaged in selfless service, providing a full range of legal services to service members of the California Military Department. Our duties include providing legal reviews, advice, and opinions to commanders and their staff; providing legal training and briefings, drafting regulations, legislation, and memoranda; representing service members in administrative, judicial, or court martial proceedings; and providing legal advice and representation to service members. All of us swore an oath of service to our state and nation. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve alongside these resolute men and women who have placed service over self.
Soldier First, Lawyer Always!

Captain (CA) William Paparian is the former Mayor of Pasadena.