Trust Is the Mission

By COL Joseph M. Fairfield

Read Time: < 19 mins

Trust is the Mission explores how Army legal advisors earn influence through trust, using the Trust Equation and ALIGN Framework to deliver timely, mission-focused counsel that enables commanders’ decisions in high-stakes environments.

Two service members in camouflage uniforms shaking hands during a military formation outdoors.

A detailed bronze or copper statue showing the torso and lower body of a classical figure wearing draped clothing. The sculpture features intricate metalwork with decorative chain details across the chest and flowing fabric rendered in polished metal. The figure appears to be holding a staff or rod, and the craftsmanship shows fine attention to the drapery and anatomical details typical of classical sculptural traditions.

Read Time: < 46 mins

A View from the Bench Not the Discovery You Wanted, but Maybe the Discovery You Deserve

Military judge examines discovery problems in courts-martial, offering practical guidance on RCM 701, Brady obligations, and best practices for both sides.

By Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Murdough

Close-up black and white photo of a man in a suit signing a document at a desk, with one hand holding a pen and the other resting on the paper.

Read Time: < 6 mins

A Brief Overview of Other Transactions Authority

This article provides a concise overview of Other Transactions Authority (OTA), a flexible acquisition tool outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation. MAJ Thomas J. Darmofal explains OTA’s origins in the Space Race, its legal framework, and its growing role in accelerating defense innovation, prototyping, and procurement reform within the Department of Defense.

By Major Thomas J. Darmofal

Military amphibious landing operation showing a large bulldozer or earthmoving equipment being transported from naval vessels to a beach. Two vessels are visible in the surf with American flags, and several personnel can be seen on the beach. White foam waves wash onto the sandy shore under an overcast sky.

Read Time: < 20 mins

Sustainment Is the New Black: Contested Logistics and the Provision of Legal Advice in an Era of Constant Competition

This article examines the critical role of legal advisors in supporting theater sustainment operations during contested logistics scenarios. The authors explore how legal support enables sustainment warfighting functions through industry engagement, international agreements, acquisition authorities, and fiscal law compliance while operating in the Indo-Pacific's complex operational environment.

By Colonel Christofer T. Franca, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew J. Textor, Captain Isaac R. Serna, and Staff Sergeant Dawson Tan

MG (Ret.) William B. Dyer. (Photo courtesy of author)

Read Time: < 8 mins

Pivotal Perspective: What Army Commanders Need from Their Legal Advisors

This article explores how Army commanders rely on their legal advisors and what makes that counsel most effective. Drawing from decades of experience in both legal advisory and command roles, the authors outline key expectations for judge advocates—ranging from owning outcomes to delivering simple, actionable legal guidance that aligns with mission success.

By By Major General (Retired) William B. Dyer III with Brigadier General Michael J. Deegan