Reserve 'legal eagles' earn command, 19th AF awards Published Jan. 11, 2007 By 2nd Lt Lori Wise Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Two Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentees assigned to the Team Vance legal office recently received top Air Education and Training Command and 19th Air Force awards. Maj Gen Jack Rives, Headquarters Air Force deputy judge advocate general, presented the awards to the "legal eagles" in a ceremony here. Maj Michael Boydston earned the 2003 Outstanding Reserve Judge Advocate of the Year Award as the Assistant Staff Judge Advocate assigned to the 71st Flying Training Wing. According to the award citation, Major Boydston epitomized the total force concept by serving as the staff judge advocate for four tours of duty totaling two months. His leadership ensured the first litigated court-martial at Vance Air Force Base in two years was processed in an efficient and professional manner. Additionally, his keen oversight resulted in a phenomenal claims program that processed 100 percent of household goods claims within the Air Force's 10-day turn-around goal for claims. TSgt Brenda Moody earned the 2003 David Westbrook Award as Outstanding Reserve Paralegal of the Year assigned to the 71st FTW. According to the award citation, Sergeant Moody provided desperately needed manning assistance in 2003 when the legal office was without its only claims paralegal for four months. She single-handedly managed the claims section and processed nearly 70 claims valued in excess of $75,600. Her dedication in this specific area directly resulted in the closure of 71 percent of the overage claims identified during the 2003 Operational Readiness Inspection. "Both of these reservists dropped what they were doing in their busy civilian world to fill the critical manning needs of this wing," said Maj Steven Dubriske, 71st FTW staff judge advocate. "Their quality of work was excellent. Major Boydston and Sergeant Moody brought their years of experience, efficiency and customer service to us when we called upon them to help." Major Boydston managed the court-martial prosecution, post-trial processing and witnesses and made management recommendations during the process. The major's legal experience extends to both sides of the table. He represents the command leadership and prosecution when involved in military trials, but as a civilian he is a defense attorney with his own private legal practice in Durant, Okla. He also manages a family farm and ranch business in Lindsey, Okla. "I like to go where I'm needed and try to solve problems if I can," he said. "I like the challenges the Reserve offers and I like to make a difference and experience different missions." Sergeant Moody volunteered to move her spouse and children from Moore, Okla., to Enid in order to accept the extended active-duty tour and lower the travel expenses for the legal office at Vance AFB. "Because of her willingness to put 'service before self' she saved the office per diem costs and got us caught up on claims processing with her dedication to efficiency," Major Boydston said. Sergeant Moody processed military claims for household goods shipping as well as carrier recovery claims, which are reimbursements to the government from contracted moving companies. In her civilian life, she just completed her bachelor's degree. "I really enjoy customer service and helping people to get their affairs in order so things are streamlined for them," she said. "I also like to give briefings to customers about how to file claims of all kinds. If I can fill a void as needed, it enables the other active-duty members in the office to travel to get their necessary upgrade training in proficiency, which benefits our entire office here."