Thirty years of training fell into place for Col. Alan Sommerfeld, '70 Psci, on Sept. 11, 2001. He was participating in an exercise while on Army Reserve duty in NORAD's (North American Aerospace Defense Command) Cheyenne Mountain Operation's Center in Colorado when the events of 9/11 unfolded in the nation's skies. In his reservist capacity he was NORAD's legal advisor. "When things went bad and we saw what was happening, I told my civilian boss that the best protection for the office was dispersion. I told him to 'send everyone home.' And I reported to Cheyenne Mountain." That's when all commercial traffic in the United States was immediately ordered to land in response to the acts of terrorism that had been committed in New York and Washington D.C. on Sept. 11. 'I was ready to do it. I just never thought that I'd see the day where I'd actually be called to protect our homeland." Sommerfeld had been planning on retiring from the Army Reserve. "I had been in the reserve for 30 years, I had my retirement papers ready to submit. I thought things were stable in the U.S." After the events of Sept. 11, Sommerfeld shelved his retirement and was asked to return to active duty as deputy legal advisor for NORAD working on the rules of engagement for Operation Noble Eagle. He took a leave from his position as civilian counsel of the Joint National Integration Center, the Department of Defense office directing Missile Defense Agency program integration. In his current reservist role, Sommerfeld answers questions for commanders on what's legal and what's not legal in respect to their operations. "We work through issues on the use of force, such as when do you use a weapon. We don't want the military to become a means of law enforcement in this country. That's not what we stand for as a nation. There are excellent civilian agencies for law enforcement. They are the first line of defense against terrorists or natural disasters. The military role is as a last responder when it's within our own borders." It's Sommerfeld's job to make sure that those he works with know what the Constitution says and that the law is followed. "Our office takes very seriously the safe guarding of the Constitution and of the civilian 'rule of law' in our Nation." He said the day-to-day legal issues that his office looks at are mind boggling, particularly when you realize they're working with national guard units from 50 states which all operate under the rules of their individual states, plus they work with various governmental agencies. Sommerfeld is scheduled to leave active reserve duty in December. Sommerfield, who grew up in Bridger, Glendive and Bozeman, lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Karen (Rose), '70 ElEd. He has two sons, Erik and Glenn.