United States Attorney Minkler briefs military community at Camp Atterbury

Discussed civil laws that protect the rights of military personnel

PRESS RELEASE

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh Minkler and his staff recently visited with members of the military community at Camp Atterbury to discuss their legal rights while serving our country.

“Military personnel deserve the chance to serve their country without needless distractions and unnecessary stressors,” said Minkler. “While they serve our country, it is our job to protect their rights against unscrupulous housing and financial practices, to protect their right to civilian employment after military service and to fight against those who would violate those rights.”

Minkler discussed three federal civil rights statutes–the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.  Each statute protects service members from financial burden, employment discrimination and voting violations while they are in military service.  

Minkler was joined at Atterbury by Tanya Kirwan and Andrew Braniff who currently serve as Assistant Directors of the Justice Department’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative (SVI). SVI coordinates with DOJ components and federal agencies to build comprehensive legal support and protection network focused on service members, veterans and their families.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Rota, the Southern District of Indiana’s lead attorney on civil rights issues, over 900,000 Hoosier Guard and Reservists have served since September 11, 2001, and protecting their rights is a top civil rights goal of the US Attorney’s Office.

More information about legal protections available to service members can be found at   www.servicemembers.gov.