SJA leaves Tinker with better view Published June 30, 2010 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's a bit like comparing compacts and Cadillacs. Such was the contrast for Col. Jeff Slagle, who has been the staff judge advocate at Tinker for the last two years. The move to Tinker, his first Air Force Materiel Command base, took some getting used to. The breadth of missions represented and the number of civilians working to accomplish those missions are unique factors. As Colonel Slagle looks back on the past two years of his tenure at the OC-ALC, there was a definite learning curve. "I had not worked with such a large number of civilians in the past, and I now have a greater respect and appreciation for their role in supporting the warfighter," Colonel Slagle said. "Our civilian teammates are every bit as patriotic as those wearing the uniform and their efforts are critical to our success in meeting our national missions." Colonel Slagle is transferring to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz., as the staff judge advocate for the 12th Air Force. "We have taken great strides to address criminal allegations more expeditiously," Colonel Slagle said. "Our partners at Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Security Forces Investigations have worked closely with us to resolve matters. It is to the benefit of the accused and their leadership to get to resolution so all can move ahead." The colonel recommend that his successor avoid getting cooped up in the office. Instead, Colonel Slagle recommended that the successor should actively go out and meet people to understand Tinker's diverse mission. One challenge of the past few years stands out among the rest. "Most difficult was understanding the civilian personnel system and navigating it to make organizational changes," Colonel Slagle said. "I think our organizational structure is better today than it was two years ago. We were also successful in gaining military manpower to support our efforts in accelerating the military justice process." The Air Force has been good to Colonel Slagle, he said. He had a distinct message for younger Airmen, particularly that they consider the quality of people they work with if contemplating separating from the Air Force. Colonel Slagle won't return to Tinker as an active duty serviceman, but he and his wife, both from the Midwest, are open to returning as civilians. "Oklahoma has been a comfortable fit for us," he said. "Despite my loyalty to the Cornhuskers, I have enjoyed my time in Sooner and Cowboy country."