15 minutes of fame with Lieutenant Commander Matt Diaz

by Jody Metzger

Photo by Spc. Jody Metzger

15 minutes of fame with Lt.Cmdr. Matt Diaz

“This is probably the most interesting six months I have done.”

Photo by Spc. Jody Metzger

By Spc. Jody Metzger

JTF-GTMO Public Affairs Office

Navy Lt. Cmdr Matt Diaz left life on the street at 17 to join the Army. Starting with a General Education Degree (GED), he now is a lawyer working as a deputy staff judge advocate.

The Wire: Why enlist?

Diaz: I joined the Army when I was 17, and I wasn’t going anywhere to get out of trouble.

How many years have you been in?

Over 18 years. I did eight years in the Army. I got out in 1991 and joined the Navy after I got my law degree in 1994.

When did you start school?

I was a specialist, and I was trying to get promotion points to get my E-5. I started taking college courses. I got most of my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and I decided that before I got out of the Army I would go to law school. It was the Navy after that.

Why the Navy?

I interviewed with all the branches, but the Navy was the first one to make a firm offer.

What do you like about being a lawyer?

I get to dabble in everything. I get involved with medical issues, the criminal justice aspect obviously, and (I’ve been) a criminal defense attorney for four years. I liked helping out the Sailors in trouble. A lot of them did something wrong—not necessarily what they were charged with, but something. I still like to defend them the best I can. It’s not just criminal stuff, I’ve helped commands, like here. I like helping out, being part of a team, just being involved.

Have you had a lot on your plate because of the commissions?

Not so much the commissions anymore, but the habeas litigation. The detainees are now allowed to have representation by their own attorneys. (I) arrange for the attorneys to come down here and make sure they follow the procedures laid out by the court.

Do you like your job?

I like it a lot. This is a great experience. Probably one of my better experiences in my whole career, including Army and Navy. In April it will be 19 total years in the service and this is probably the most interesting six months I have done.

What happens next?

I will go back to Great Lakes up until May as a defense attorney. Then I will rotate to Florida. I will be the senior prosecutor for my next assignment.

What were your high school years like?

My parents were divorced, and there were many custody battles. I went to a lot of different schools. When I got to high school I was running around doing bad things, getting into trouble. I gave up. I dropped out and started working as a dishwasher. Some of the adults in my life stepped in and said I need to do something with my life. My dad for one. He told me to get off the streets. I was in Southern California at the time, L.A. and gangs—pretty bad. It was a good thing I got out of that. I joined the Army. They made me get my GED.

What does your family think of what you have done?

They are proud. They give me a hard time because everybody likes to joke about lawyers. My older brother tells me I did the right thing, I did good. That makes me feel good.

What do you like about Guantanamo?

I like the mission. For the most part everybody is trying to do the right thing, and I like being a part of that and contributing. My first love is doing the job and doing well at it. The camaraderie, everybody is in the same boat here.

Do you ever see yourself doing legal work outside the military?

Yes, I think that when I retire. If I make O5 I might stay in. A couple of my law school buddies are thinking about opening up a practice in Florida.

What is it like to defend criminals?

The vast majority are young kids that did stupid things. The majority have either been absent with out leave (AWOL) or deserted. They just really needed some kind of guidance. It was good to be sort of a mentor to them. I know how hard it can be as a young enlisted person. The hard-core criminals were an eye-opening experience. Some of the rapes, attempted murderers, child or sexual abusers are the worst. I had a hard time defending them. I did the best I could for them. It kind of chipped at me, but I was able to get over it by justifying that we have a Constitution to live by, and I want to make sure they get their due process. ... Hard work pays off. Stay at it, focus on it and don’t just take it for granted. I spent a lot of time studying, working and not eating, but it was worth it. 