Mar 01 2004

Graham Promoted to Colonel in Air Force Reserves

WASHINGTON -- The United States Senate last week approved the promotion Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Graham is the only U.S. Senator currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves. He compiled a distinguished career in the Air Force serving six-and-a-half years on active duty as a member of the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corp. From 1984-1988, Graham was assigned overseas and served at Rhein Mein Air Force Base in Germany. He served as a military prosecutor and it was there he received the Meritorious Service medal. Upon leaving the active duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard where he served until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. During the first Gulf War, Graham was called to active duty and served state-side at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region. His duties included briefing pilots on the law of armed conflict, preparing legal documents for deploying troops, and providing legal services for family members of the South Carolina Air National Guard. He received a commendation medal for his service at McEntire. Since 1995, Graham has continued to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and is assigned as a Reserve Judge to the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Graham did not cast a vote on the promotion in either the Armed Services Committee or on the floor of the Senate. ####