WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Bush administration has proposed a rule change giving political appointees in the U.S. Defense Department a say in the promotion of military lawyers.
Former officers in the Judge Advocate General corps say the regulation change would threaten the independence of lawyers, because those who criticize White House policies would be blocked from rising in rank. Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Romig, who commanded JAG from 2001 to 2005, told The Boston Globe it would send a message that lawyers must be "team players."
The newspaper said it had a copy of proposed changes in military promotion procedures, including the plan for JAG promotions. William "Jim" Haynes, the Pentagon general counsel, argues that making the general counsel for each service the boss of its senior JAG would ensure greater civilian control over the military.
Former military lawyers say JAG officers have more independence because they are part of the chain of command.
