HAF MISSION DIRECTIVE 1-14
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
GENERAL COUNSEL AND
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY:
Publications and forms are available on the e-
Publishing website
at www.e-Publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY:
There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
Certified by: SAF/GC (Hon Gordon O. Tanner)
1. Mission.
1.1. The General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force (SAF/GC) is established within the Office of
the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) by Title 10 United States Code Sections (U.S.C. §§) 8014 and
8019. SAF/GC, subject to the direction and control of SECAF, serves as the chief legal officer and
Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) of the Department of the Air Force. SAF/GC also serves as the
civil administrator of Wake Island and performs such other duties as assigned to assist the SECAF in
carrying out his/her responsibilities under 10 U.S.C. § 8013. SAF/GC assists the SECAF, the Assistant
Secretaries, the Chief of Staff (CSAF), Secretariat and Air Staff offices, and other Air Force offices in
carrying out their responsibilities to provide legal services for the Department of the Air Force. Within
his/her areas of responsibility, SAF/GC prepares policies for approval and issues official
guidance/procedures, via official Air Force (AF) publications, to ensure implementation of these policies.
1.2. The Judge Advocate General (TJAG), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. §§ 8031-8038, and as documented by
Paragraph 4.3.5. of AFMD-1, is established as part of the Air Staff. Under 10 U.S.C. § 8037, TJAG is the
legal advisor of the SECAF and of all officers and agencies of the Department of the Air Force. TJAG
assists the SECAF, the Assistant Secretaries, the CSAF, Secretariat and Air Staff offices, and other Air
Force offices in carrying out their responsibilities to provide legal services for the Department of the Air
Force. Within his/her areas of responsibility, TJAG prepares policies for approval and issues official
guidance/procedures, via official AF publications, to ensure implementation of those policies. TJAG also
assists the CSAF in his/her role, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 151, as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
2. Organizational Relationships. The SECAF is responsible for, and has all legal authority necessary to
conduct, the affairs of the Department of the Air Force. The Secretariat, the CSAF, and Air Staff offices
perform their Department of the Air Force functions subject to the authority, direction, and control of the
SECAF.
