News From USJFCOM: USJFCOM judge advocate wins career achievement award


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USJFCOM judge advocate wins career achievement award

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Butch Bracknell, USJFCOM Joint Center for Operational Analysis deputy judge advocate, was recently honored by the Judge Advocates Association for his work as a military lawyer.

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By Army Sgt. Josh LeCappelain
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va. - June 11, 2010) -- A U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Marine Corps officer was recognized by the Judge Advocates Association (JAA) with one of their 2010 Outstanding Career Judge Advocate Awards for his work as a military lawyer.

Marine Corps Lt. Col. Butch Bracknell, USJFCOM Joint Center for Operational Analysis (JCOA) deputy judge advocate, works as the operational law attorney, dealing with analysis of domestic and international law that influences operations, doctrine, strategy, organization, manning, training and equipping of the joint force. In addition, he is a member of the Studies and Analysis Division at JCOA.

Although he loves law, Bracknell focuses on being a Marine first and foremost.

"I work hard to be an officer first, and a military lawyer second - a formulation which I find works well for me," said Bracknell, a native of Louisburg, N.C. "My peers and seniors are also my clients, so it helps if you can establish credibility through your physical fitness, your demonstrable comprehension of the business of operations, strategy, planning, and training, and the way you carry yourself as an officer and as a Marine."
Bracknell believes his experience in support of operations helped him receive selection for the award, noting that he has two combat deployments to Iraq and one operation deployment to Bosnia under his belt.

He also praises his leadership through the years as helping mold him into the officer he has become.

"There's no substitute for excellent mentorship. Why try to invent the wheel when you have the experience and guidance of excellent officers to rely on? My mentors…have provided some stellar examples in terms of ethos, conduct, vision, proficiency, and commitment to duty," Bracknell said.

Air Force Col. Steve Irwin, USJFCOM joint force judge advocate, praised Bracknell's dedication and ability.

"He won this award because he's an extremely motivated and a very well-rounded officer and judge advocate. He makes units better," said Irwin, adding that Bracknell competed with many other senior military officers serving as judge advocates for the award. "He is constantly improving, and he produces great results - all the time. He is a model officer and judge advocate."

His military accomplishments include serving as an armor officer prior to becoming a Marine attorney, serving in a colonel's billet as a major as the staff judge advocate (SJA) for a Marine aircraft wing and serving as the SJA for the Marine component at U.S. European Command.

In additional to his military accomplishments, Bracknell has many personal achievements he's proud of, including a master's degree from Harvard Law School, a doctorate with honors from the University of Maryland, internships at the Baltimore Federal Prosecutor's Office and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary.

"I'd like to continue to serve in overseas operational assignments and in Marine Corps operational forces," said Bracknell, who is headed to Afghanistan with JCOA's forward element later this year. "Post-retirement, I would like to seek continued employment on Capitol Hill or as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, a national security related agency such as an intelligence agency, F.B.I. or another law enforcement agency."

According to the JAA web site, they annually recognize outstanding achievements of career attorneys serving as judge advocates. Nominees must be 35 years of age or older and are evaluated on professional accomplishments, service to community, leadership, service to the legal profession and development of subordinates.