Legal Assistance

The Legal Assistance Office in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, provides individual legal services to active duty members of the uniform services, military retirees who are collecting retired military pay, and their eligible dependents. Members of the reserve component of the armed forces may receive individual assistance with legal issues pertaining to mobilization and deployment.

Types of Services

Legal assistance attorneys provide information and legal counsel to resolve personal issues on a variety of legal subjects and military personnel matters.

These include but not limited to:

                Estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, and advanced medical directives)

                Real estate and landlord-tenant law

                Consumer affairs

                Family law (divorce, paternity, custody and adoption)

                Economic matters (contracts, indebtedness)

                Immigration law

                Civilian administrative matters (vehicle registration, drivers' license)

Attorneys negotiate and correspond to opposing parties on behalf of clients and draft documents, such a simple contracts. However, legal assistance attorneys do not draft court documents, appear in court or provide business advice. For adverse administrative actions, attorneys counsel soldiers on drafting rebuttals and appeals. Call 301-619-2221 to make an appointment with an attorney.

Power of Attorney/Notary Services

Power of attorney preparation and notary public services are available by appointment on Tuesdays & Thursdays. To expedite the process, clients must call ahead with the information for the power of attorney. Clients must also ensure a notary is available.

Tax Services

The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is no longer assisting with tax preparation. You can obtain free tax filing software and support, through Military OneSource ( militaryonesource.mil ) under MilTax.  

Claims Service

The Claims Office, which can be reached at 301-619-2221, can provide guidance with filing an online Claims for household goods, personal property and privately owned vehicle shipments. Additional guidance can be provided for filing FRV claims directly with the carrier.  Attorneys are not available to represent claimants in these cases.

Trial Defense Services

The Trial Defense Service at Fort George G. Meade, Md., provides attorneys to service members who are facing discipline under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or involuntary discharge under administrative procedure. Call for an appointment at 301-677-9218.

Hours of Operation (Legal Assistance & Claims Office)

The Legal Assistance and Claims Offices are located in Building 1520 Freedman Drive, Suite 117, Fort Detrick. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 am  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, then 1:00 pm. to 4:00 pm. Monday-Friday.  The office is closed for lunch each day from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The office's telephone number is 301-619-2221 or DSN 312-343-2221.