Making a case in the service Published Sept. 25, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Recently the newer members of the Judge Advocate General came together at Tinker for a mock trial. The Trial Advocacy Training Course offered a lesson for JAGs from across the region to sharpen their skills and learn how to better do their job. The participants included one Tinker member, Capt. Daniel Doyle, as well as members from Altus, Vance, Little Rock, Sheppard and reserve JAGs that critiqued the participants and military judges. The participants were given a case example and had to make their statements during the two-day course. While presenting their side of the case, they were videotaped to help them better see what the panel saw in their presentations. "The importance of the mock trial is to bring in a wealth of experience from all walks of life for the newer JAGs. They don't have the experience and the only way to gain perspective and skills is practice," said Maj. Jill Thomas, reserve JAG. Each reserve JAG does approximately four mock trials a year but the trials are done once a month. The reservists that help with the mock trials have experience outside of the Air Force as well. "We are trying to improve our advocacy skills thru a mock trial. We have these experienced reservists critiquing us and between them they have covered over 1,000 cases. These guys have extraordinary experience," said Captain Doyle. Captain Doyle participated in the trials program to get more experience and feel less of an amateur on his future trials, when there are important things at stake. "I could practice all day long and make the same mistakes over and over again and it wouldn't help. It's the outside perspective that matters," said Captain Doyle. The participants felt the advice from the panel was extremely helpful and will serve them well in their JAG careers. "It was good to hear other people's arguments against my own. Also by getting up and doing every single part of the trial was useful since a lot of the cases that we do are mainly sentencing," said Capt. Wendy Kosek, a Little Rock Air Force Base JAG. "As much as it is nerve wracking it helps us out tremendously." JAG creates order and helps maintain discipline in an environment where there are thousands of members that hold huge responsibilities. Without the discipline it would be impossible for the Air Force mission to be accomplished.