Fort Riley, Kansas – Military Lawyer -

Call a Military Lawyer for Fort Riley

The Law Office of Will M. Helixon prides itself in working with the best experts and consultants in the nation. Will has decades of military law experience handling some of the most high-profile cases the military has seen. Will has 18-years of service on active duty as a military lawyer and currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. Will brings experience as a prosecutor, serving as a trial counsel (Bamberg), senior trial counsel (Bamberg), and special victim prosecutor (Grafenwoehr, JBLM). He also has a wealth of experience as a civilian defense counsel (Houston, Kansas City), senior defense counsel (Hanau), and chief of training for the Trial Defense Services (Fort Belvior). His combined decades of litigation experience as both a prosecutor and defense counsel will make him an indespensible part of your defense team.The Law Office of Will M. Helixon is ready to review your case and discuss your best defenses with you today.

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Fort Riley Namesake

Fort Riley is named in honor of Major General Bennett C. Riley. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1787, Riley joined the U.S. Army in 1812, and saw action in the War of 1812, the Seminole War in Florida, and the Mexican-American War including the Battle of Cerro Gordo and the Battle of Contreras. MG Riley also served as the Commanding General at Fort Leavenworth. In addition to his war accomplishments, MG Riley is best known as the first military escort for the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, and serving as the last military governor of California. MG Riley died in Buffalo, New York, on June 9, 1853, at an age of 65.

Highsmith, C. M., photographer. (2016) Stone marker of the route of the Santa Fe Trail, an important trade route running between Missouri and what is now New Mexico in two branches. The shorter route led through what was called Indian Territory, and a longer, but safer, "Mountain Route" through this prairie, at a place called Iron Springs in what is now southeastern Colorado Iron Springs was an important watering hole on the often parched prairie. Colorado Otero County United States, 2016. -06-09. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017688781/. — Highsmith, C. M., photographer. (2016) Stone marker of the route of the Santa Fe Trail, an important trade route running between Missouri and what is now New Mexico in two branches. The shorter route led through what was called Indian Territory, and a longer, but safer, “Mountain Route” through this prairie, at a place called Iron Springs in what is now southeastern Colorado Iron Springs was an important watering hole on the often parched prairie. Colorado Otero County United States, 2016. -06-09. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017688781/.

Military Lawyer Representing Soldiers at Fort Riley

First, each military lawyer at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon knows how tense it can be to face the pressures and hesitations that come with every military legal matter. Our goal is to make the military legal process as effortless as possible for you. Our firm dedicates a part of our practice to helping clients throughout the Fort Riley and in the Manhattan and Junction City area. From the courtroom to elimination boards to adverse chapter actions, each military lawyer at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon is ready to help. Whatever military law complications you may be facing, know that they are no challenge for our team here at Law Office of Will M. Helixon.

Will M. Helixon arguing a Motion to Compel in a trial at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Second, no matter what military law issues or what violations of the UCMJ you face in the Fort Riley and/or in the Manhattan and Junction City area courts, our military law and criminal law services can help you through this “not so easy” time in your life. We provide you professional, detailed, and focused legal advice for your case. We charge each military lawyer with the standard of providing you with extraordinary legal representation. Together, our military lawyers have over 108 years of experience with representing military clients. Our team at Law Office of Will M. Helixon is confident that our determination and competence can help you with your military law case in the Fort Riley and the Manhattan and Junction City area.

Fort Riley Cases

Importantly, our team at Law Office of Will M. Helixon stands as one of the leading law firms in providing representation on military law matters to Soldiers at Fort Riley and in the Manhattan and Junction City area. At the Law Office of Will M. Helixon, each military lawyer focuses on helping you navigate the circumstances of your military law issues with the interest and consideration you deserve.

The military lawyers and court-martial defense lawyers at our firm have over 36-years of combined experience serving as detailed military lawyers while on active duty, as defense counsel, senior defense counsel, advocacy trainers at the U.S. Army Defense Counsel Assistance Program (DCAP), and defense counsel for the at the Office of the Chief Defense Counsel, Office of the Military Commissions, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With every military lawyer in our firm formerly serving as a detailed defense counsel, we know the strengths and weaknesses of military defense lawyers. We know the advantages and limitations of the military defense organizations. We know how to work with your detailed military lawyer as a team, not sideline them. Our military lawyers are uniquely qualified to leverage your detailed military lawyer at Fort Riley to create a formidable defense team — a team to defend you against the often questionable charges by an overzealous Government.

Furthermore, our firm is located in Kansas City, as short drive from Fort Riley. Our firm represents or has formerly represented Soldiers at Fort Riley and the Manhattan and Junction City area on matters ranging from accusations of sexual assault, inappropriate relationships, violation of lawful orders, larceny, wrongful appropriation, and violation of Army regulations in legal proceedings including courts-martial, GOMOR rebuttals, and military investigations. The Law Office of Will M. Helixon routinely represents Soldiers at Fort Riley, and the military lawyers at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon are fully licensed to represent the Soldiers at Fort Riley and in the Manhattan and Junction City area in all military trial and appellate courts, and in the local, county and state courts of Kansas.

With over 108 years of combined military practice, we are certain that each military lawyer at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon is uniquely qualified to represent you in any of a variety of military cases. If you need a well-informed military lawyer in the Fort Riley and the Manhattan and Junction City area, call us today toll-free at (844) 435-4966.

Origins of Fort Riley

Williams, V. O. & Stead, C. A. (ca. 1917) Cavalry Camp, Pawnee Flats, Fort Riley, Kas. Fort Riley Kansas United States, ca. 1917. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2007664122/.

Fort Riley was established in 1852 to provide protection for the pioneers and traders who were traveling along the Oregon-California and the Santa Fe Trails. Originally called Camp Center because it was close to the geographical center of the United States, its name was changed to Fort Riley to honor Major General Bennett C. Riley in June of 1853. Some of our Nation’s most noteworthy characters of the West are associated with Fort Riley. In 1866-1867 Lieutanant George Custer was stationed at Fort Riley. Wild Bill Hickok served as a scout in 1867.

Delano, J., photographer. (1942) Fort Riley, Kansas. Cavalry machine gun unit dismounting to get guns into action. Fort Riley Kansas, 1942. Apr. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/owi2001006508/PP/.

Fort Riley served as the U.S. Army’s Cavalry and Light Artillery School from 1893 to 1943. The horse-mounted cavalry was disbanded in 1943.

Historic American Buildings Survey, C., U.S. Department Of The Army, Arnold, A. K., Elliott, American Radiator Company, Pond, G. E. & Shockley, D. M., Sanders, T., Fraser, F. & Rice, J. L., photographer. (1933) Fort Riley, Arnold Hall, Arnold Avenue, Riley, Riley County, KS. Fort Riley Geary Kansas Riley Riley County, 1933. Documentation Compiled After. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ks0165/. Arnold Hall was built during the major construction period at Fort Riley between 1880 and 1910. In its building materials, structural engineering, and layout, Arnold Hall was highly representative of residential quarters on the Army post. It and other buildings of the period contributed to the development of standardized Army housing. Arnold Hall was named for Abraham Arnold, a late Nineteenth Century post commander, hero of the Civil War, and first president of the United States Cavalry Association.

World War I witnessed the rapid growth of Fort Riley. Commanded by MG Leonard Wood, Fort Riley was the training site for the first division before sailing to France in the spring of 1819.

World War II saw the stationing of the 2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Riley in 1940. The post grew to accommodate the added training mission which included the training of over 125,000 soldiers. In 1942, the 9th Armored Division was stood-up at Fort Riley. When they deployed, Camp Funston became a prisoner of war camp housing many German soldiers.

Fort Riley Today

Today, Fort Riley is home to the storied First Infantry Division. The Big Red One has fought in all major conflicts including World War I, World War II including the D-Day landing in Normandy, Vietnam, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. The following units call Fort Riley home:

Fort Riley Surrounding Area: Manhattan and Junction City

Fort Riley covers over 100,000 acres and is located on the Kansas River, between Manhattan and Junction City in Riley and Geary Counties.

Manhattan, Kansas

Manhattan, Kansas, is a college town with approximately 55,000 residents northeast of Fort Riley. Because there is no northeast exit from the post, the only way to get to Manhattan from Fort Riley is to drive south through Junction City and then northeast to Manhattan. This drive takes about 30-minutes (37-miles). Visitors can learn of the history of the Flint Hills at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. One of the world’s most endangered ecosystems is the Flint Hills, the last substantial contiguous stand of tallgrass prairie in North America. Manhattan is also home to Kansas State University with a student population of nearly 25,000.

Margolies, J., photographer. (1977) Campus Theater, horizontal, Manhattan Avenue. Kansas Manhattan United States, 1977. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2017703325/. Today the old theater serves as retail space.

Junction City, Kansas

Junction City, Kansas, is a small town with approximately 25,000 residents about six miles south of Fort Riley. Originally named Manhattan, Junciton City was settled near the “junction” of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers in 1858. Junction City has remained a trading for Fort Riley.

Today, Junction City serves as a wholesale and shipping outlet for grain and dairy. Outdoor enthusiasist can enjoy Milford State Park and Geary State Fishing Lake, both of which are nearby. Junction City is also the county seat of Geary County.

Closest Major Cities to Fort Riley: Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas is a one-hour and ten-minute drive (70 miles) east from Fort Riley. With a population of over 126,000, Topeka is the Nation’s 217th most populous city. Topeka also serves as the capital of Kansas. Recently renovated, the State Capitol Building is a beautiful domed structure took 37 years to build once started in 1866. Topeka is home to the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, the Topeka Civic Theater, and the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Historically, Topeka is the birthplace of school desegregation and host the Brown v. Board of Education historic site. For those thirsting for excitement, look no further than the Evil Knievel Museum. Topeka also offers the Kansas Museum of History, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, and the Combat Air Museum. Those who prefer the outdoors will find the Ted Ensley Gardens, the old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site, the Gage Park, and Lake Shawnee. There are three casinos within a 20-minute drive from Topeka. For professional sports, Topeka has the North American Hockey League (Tier II) Topeka RoadRunners, and the Topeka Train Robbers baseball team of the independent Pecos League. Topeka is home to the Washburn University Ichabods with a student population of over 6,600. The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, about 25 miles east.

The Kansas State Capitol that took 37 years to build.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri is a two-hour drive (about 130 miles) due east from Fort Riley. Kansas City has a rich history and connection to the old west, with a modern edge. The Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts serves as home to the Kansas City Ballet, the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Opera Kansas City, other seasonal events, and concerts. Theater in Kansas City is plentiful and diverse with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, the Kansas City Starlight Theatre, and the Unicorn Theatre just a few of the local places to catch a great show. KCMO also boasts World famous BBQ, an exciting nightlife at the Power and Light District, and a variety of restaurants.

Activities abound in Kansas City, the home the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, MLB’s Kansas City Royals, MLS’s Sporting KC, and the CHL’s Kansas City Mavericks. Kansas City is also the home the Kansas Speedway which hosts several NASCAR events throughout the year. Kansas City is also the home of the National World War I Museum and Memorial and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Kansas City is one of the largest cities in the Midwest. Ranking as the 37th largest city in the United States, only Chicago, and Oklahoma City are larger in the Midwest.

Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park, Kansas is a two-hour and fifteen minute drive (about 140 miles) east from Fort Riley and is part of the KCMO metro area, south of the city in Johnson County, Kansas. The 128th largest city in the United States (2nd largest in Kansas) with nearly 175,000 residents, OP offers virtually limitless shopping and dining options. Overland Park is also home to the Museum at Prairiefire: American Museum of Natural History, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita, Kansas is about a two-hour drive (125 miles) south of Fort Riley. With a population of nearly 390,000, Wichita is the 50th most populous city in the United States. The arts hub is the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center. Home to the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Music Theatre Wichita, and Ballet Wichita, Wichita has a robust festival schedule headlined by Riverfest, a 9-day festival in early June featuring concerts, events and plenty of food. A variety of museums are found in Wichita including the Exploration Place (The Sedgwick County Science and Discovery Center), the Wichita Art Museum, the Old Cowtown Museum and the Museum of World Treasures. A visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House and the Kansas Aviation Museum won’t disappoint. Outdoor activites include the Bontanica Wichita gardens, the Great Plains Nature Center, and Sedgwick County Park. Professional sports include the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, the National Primer Soccer League’s (Tier IV) FC Wichita, and the indoor football team Wichita Force. Wichita is home to Newman University (student population of about 3,600), Friends University (student population of nearly 2,000), and Wichita State University (student population over 14,200).

Other Military Facilities Near Fort Riley

There are two military installations within 150 miles of Fort Riley. the closest military installation to Fort Riley is McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. McConnell Air Force Base is home to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, the 194th Air Refueling Wing, and the 184th Intelligence Wing (National Guard). McConnell Air Force Base is about a 2-hour drive (125 miles) south of Fort Riley. Fort Leavenworth on the outskirts of Kansas City is about a 2-hour and twenty-minute drive (130 miles) east of Fort Riley. Fort Leavenworth is home to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks.

Background of The Law Office of Will M. Helixon

Will M. Helixon began the Law Office of Will M. Helixon in February of 2016. Originally headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the firm’s original undertaking was to defend members of the military in courts-martial, adverse administrative proceedings and other criminal proceedings. Today, the firm has worked as technical and legal advisors in multiple complex and high-profile military cases. The firm now handles most military matters, including medical issues involving the MEB/PEB process, adverse administrative matters, military justice matters, and legal assistance matters, including the correction of military records. No longer in Kansas City, the firm now has a presence in north Texas (Frisco) and a European office located in Vilseck, Germany.

FT. BRAGG, NC - JULY 7: U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Bowdrie 'Bowe' Bergdahl, 30 of Hailey, Idaho, arrives at the Ft. Bragg military courthouse with his military and civilian legal counsel (Eugene Fidell and Will M. Helixon) for a pretrial military hearing on July 7, 2016, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Bergdahl faces charges of desertion and endangering troops stemming from his decision to leave his outpost in 2009, which landed him five years in Taliban captivity. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images) — FT. BRAGG, NC – JULY 7: U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Bowdrie ‘Bowe’ Bergdahl, 30 of Hailey, Idaho, arrives at the Ft. Bragg military courthouse with his military and civilian legal counsel (Eugene Fidell and Will M. Helixon) for a pretrial military hearing on July 7, 2016, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Bergdahl faces charges of desertion and endangering troops stemming from his decision to leave his outpost in 2009, which landed him five years in Taliban captivity. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

All military lawyers at the Law Office of Will M. Helixon maintain licenses to practice before all military trial courts.

Law Office of Will M. Helixon, 6136 Frisco Square Blvd., Suite 400, Frisco, Texas, 75034

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