Assistant's State's Attorney in Illinois, Judge Advocate in Afghanistan

Story by Spc. Chasity Johnson, Illinois National Guard Office

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Capt. Jason Humke of Round Lake accompanies security forces on a patrol around the perimeter of Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan to observe an anti-tank ditch and to talk to villagers.

CHICAGO, IL (08/15/2011)(readMedia)-- For generations the practice of law has been present in civilized societies where the practitioners wore a robe, or a suit and a tie.

Illinois National Guard Capt. Jason Humke of Round Lake, the brigade judge advocate general (JAG) for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago, wears a suit and tie or camouflage while practicing law.

"I wanted to join the Guard to learn discipline and see more of the world," said Humke

He began his career in 1997 when he enlisted as an infantryman in the Iowa National Guard. After joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) while attending law school at the University of Nebraska, he transferred to the Nebraska National Guard and commissioned as a military intelligence officer in 2004.

In 2006 he accepted a position with the Lake County State Attorney's Office in Illinois as the assistant's state's attorney and transferred to the Illinois National Guard to become a judge advocate.

"I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to work in criminal law," said Humke. "I found the criminal justice system fascinating and important to our system of democracy."

In 2008, Humke and six other JAGs deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, whose mission was to train and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces to establish and maintain law and order.

"Our office was responsible for all legal support to the task force," said Humke.

While abroad Humke was also responsible for investigating claims from the local Afghan citizens against the United States. Humke processed more than 150 claims.

"It was a difficult, but rewarding job," said Humke.

Lt. Col. Robert Roth of Springfield, staff judge advocate of the Illinois Army National Guard, says he was thoroughly impressed with Humke's performance while deployed.

"What stood out most about Capt. Humke, aside from his sarcastic wit, was his willingness to put the mission first. He did more than just his job," said Roth. "He volunteered for duty assignments way beyond his paygrade. He volunteered to backfill for a (colonel) JAG command judge advocate who was unable to arrive to theatre for over a month due to scheduling issues."

Humke said his experience as a JAG has not only made him a better Guardsman, but a better attorney overall. He said he hopes young Soldiers in the Guard will take advantage of the opportunities they are offered and remember to always take care of their battle buddies.

"I have taken advantage of many of the benefits the Guard has to offer, including education benefits, networking opportunities and travel opportunities," said Humke. "In my experience, Guardsmen that have succeeded are the ones that have done what they could do to look out for one another and treat them like a family."