FLEP allows lieutenant to chase her dream Published March 25, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- One of Sheppard's best and brightest lieutenants was in shock March 23 when she learned that out of about 50 applicants, she was one of two in the Air Force accepted into the Funded Legal Education Program. FLEP is a program in which the Judge Advocate General's Corps allows active duty officers to receive their tuition, fees, and a book allowance from the Air Force while continuing to serve on active duty. The officers receive full pay, allowances, and other benefits while in law school and after completion of law school they return to active duty as JAGs. When Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, 82nd Training Wing commander, called 2nd Lt. Jenny Liabenow, the 82nd TRW project manager, she rushed into his office with uncertainty. "I had no idea what happened, I thought i messed something up," said the lieutenant. The general handed her a large legal studies book and told her she was going to need to study it where she was going. Tears formed in Lieutenant Liabenow's eyes as she began to understand that she was accepted into FLEP. "I can't believe I'm going back to school! It's been so long," she said with excitement. Lieutenant Liabenow said going to law school means a lot to her because it's one step closer to her goal of being a lawyer. "I'm pursuing a dream I've had for a long time... This is a rare opportunity that I'm getting and I'm so happy I can take advantage of it," she said. "I can't believe it!" General Mannon was the first to congratulate the future JAG. "Lieutenant Liabenow deserves this opportunity, we're proud of her. I'm sure she'll go on to do great things as a lawyer," said General Mannon. The lieutenant will start her first semester in the fall.