This regulation prescribes policies, responsibilities, and procedures for the Army Legal Assistance Program. One statutory authorization for legal assistance to Active Army and retired service members and their family members is section 1044, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 1044). Another statutory authorization for legal assistance to these and all other eligible clients (for example, Reserve component (RC) soldiers and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employees in certain situations) is 10 USC 3013g. (See para 2–5a.)This regulation is designed to improve legal assistance procedures and services within the Department of the Army (DA). It preempts all other regulations within DA on the delivery of legal assistance services as defined in this regulation. (See chap 3.) It should not be construed to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any other person.

The U.S. military has been continuously engaged in foreign conflicts for over two decades. The strains that these deployments, the associated increases in operational tempo, and the general challenges of military life affect not only service members but also the people who depend on them and who support them as they support the nation â€" their families. Family members provide support to service members while they serve or when they have difficulties; family problems can interfere with the ability of service members to deploy or remain in theater; and family members are central influences on whether members continue to serve. In addition, rising family diversity and complexity will likely increase the difficulty of creating military policies, programs and practices that adequately support families in the performance of military duties. Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society examines the challenges and opportunities facing military families and what is known about effective strategies for supporting and protecting military children and families, as well as lessons to be learned from these experiences. This report offers recommendations regarding what is needed to strengthen the support system for military families.