Judges sworn into AF Court of Criminal Appeals

By Airman 1st Class Michael S. Murphy, 11th Wing Public Affairs / Published October 11, 2018

The general speaks
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Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Rockwell, U.S. Air Force Headquarters judge advocate general, speaks during an investiture ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 9, 2018. The JAG certifies individuals as qualified for duty as appellate military judges and assigns them to the court for a minimum of three years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Murphy)

Another new judge
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Col. Michael A. Lewis, Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals appellate military judge, speaks during an investiture ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 9, 2018. Lewis will be working with other Air Force judges in the U.S. Air Force CCA, an independent appellate judicial body authorized by Congress and established by the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Murphy)

A new judge
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Col. Tom E. Posch, Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals appellate military judge, speaks during an investiture ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 9, 2018. Posch will be working with other Air Force judges in the U.S. Air Force CCA, an independent appellate judicial body authorized by Congress and established by the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Murphy)

The new staff
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U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals judges pose for a photo after an investiture ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 9, 2018. The U.S. Air Force CCA is an independent appellate judicial body authorized by Congress and established by the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo released by Airman 1st Class Michael S. Murphy)

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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- An investiture ceremony was held in the appellate courtroom here Oct. 9 for two Air Force judges joining the U.S Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.

Col. Michael A. Lewis and Col. Tom E. Posch, Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals appellate military judges, were honored in front of a crowd of family and new coworkers.

 “To the judges of the court, it is an honor to be joining you,” Lewis said. “Thank you so much for the warm welcome.”

The U.S. Air Force CCA is an independent appellate judicial body authorized by Congress and established by the Judge Advocate General of the Air Force that hears and decides appeals of AF court-martial convictions and other trial court rulings.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Rockwell, U.S. Air Force Headquarters judge advocate general, was the presiding officer for the ceremony. Rockwell spoke about the unique role judges play in our government.

“Think about the importance of the job,” Rockwell said. “I would argue that it may be the strongest branch, because it relies on the power of the law, the power of persuasion and the power of reason. The judicial branch is the keeper of the checks and balances.”

Posch and Lewis said they are excited for the opportunity to bring new ideas to the table as the courtroom moves forward weighing facts and narrative.

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