Law Day gives local JROTC cadets front-row seat for entire legal process Published May 4, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May 47th FTW public affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Around noon May 1, in the abandoned temporary lodging facilities on Laughlin, two individuals were busted for doing drugs. As they were handcuffed, searched and taken into police custody, a smiling crowd of about 40 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets stood just beyond a perimeter of yellow police tape taking it all in. Law Day 2007 was in full-swing. The cadets from Del Rio High school watched the drama unfold as Senior Airman Ricky Leitzel, 47th Security Forces Squadron, played the part of an Airman who made a bad choice, used drugs and paid the price. Following his simulated arrest, Airman Leitzel was taken to the Drug Demand Reduction, where he tested "positive" for cocaine. After his positive test, the event was fast-forwarded to his trial and sentencing hearing, where Capt. Jeremy Anderson, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, acting as Airman Leitzel's defense counsel, explained the court-martial process to the cadets. Soon after the sentence was read, a nervous silence fell over the group as they waited for two Security Forces Airmen to arrive and take the convict to jail. Following an intense search, Airman Leitzel was handcuffed again and briskly escorted outside to an awaiting patrol car, bound for a holding cell at the 47th SFS. The JROTC cadets were on his heels every step of the way, peering through the glass of Airman Leitzel's temporary cell as Tech. Sgt. Thomas Cooper explained the procedures for holding a prisoner. Finally, after a long day of being arrested, tested, tried and confined, Airman Leitzel was released from his cell to an applauding crowd, a look of relief spread happily across his face. "Even as a simulated scenario, it's not a position you want to be in," Airman Leitzel said of his portraying a convicted drug-abuser. The Airman said it was a privilege to be able to help show the cadets just how much trouble a person can get in for breaking the law. "Hopefully, one day if they're wrestling with the decision whether or not to break the law, they'll remember what they saw and decide they don't want to be in my character's shoes," he said. The events of law day had a positive impact on the cadets. Cadet 1st Lt. Justin Solar said he enjoyed the "hands-on" approach, getting to see the system in action. Cadet Capt. Michael Antu said the tour made him "more excited about joining" the military. Retired Master Sgt. David Scarbo, 1st Sergeant for the cadets and acting senior aerospace instructor, said the overall Law Day experience was excellent. "We got more than we anticipated," he said. In fact, the experience was so great, in his feedback to Capt. Smith, Sergeant Scarbo asked that next time they lengthen the courtroom proceedings, allowing the cadets to watch actual deliberation in addition to the sentencing. During the Law Day opening ceremony officiated by 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander Col. Dan Laro Clark, Capt. Lance Smith, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, briefed the history of Law Day and its continuing importance today. He explained Law Day has roots in the Cold War era, and the day was created and proclaimed Law Day by President Dwight Eisenhower "to celebrate the United States' rule of law as opposed to the Soviet's rule by force." "Since 1958, May 1 has been reserved as Law Day and this year the theme was directed at empowering our youth," Captain Smith said. At the conclusion of his speech Captain Smith spoke directly to the cadets and said, "You will be exposed to many careers within the Air Force today. Hopefully, you will be deterred from making the same mistake this Airman does; but, most importantly it is our desire that you see the real point of all of this - that you see what President Eisenhower saw back in 1958 - and that you gain a greater appreciation of the law."