Graduation ceremonies were recently held for two veterans who completed the Chesterfield County Veterans Treatment Docket, a program designed to help veterans involved in the criminal justice system address underlying issues while remaining accountable.
The event took place on August 28 at the county’s historic 1917 Courthouse, attended by family members, mentors, local officials, and federal partners. The Honorable Edward A. Robbins presided over the ceremony and addressed the significance of military service. “Roughly 94 percent of the total population of the United States aged over 18 has never served in the armed forces,” Robbins said. “Very few of our family, friends, and neighbors have carried the sole responsibility for, and the personal burden of, our national defense.”
Marvin Johnson was one of those recognized. He enlisted in the Army after high school in 2002 and served two deployments to Iraq before leaving military service in 2012. Johnson entered Chesterfield’s Veterans Treatment Docket when it opened on December 13, 2023. “To become a veteran, one must first volunteer, not knowing much at all what fate holds in store,” Robbins said.
Johnson experienced setbacks during his participation but eventually reached his goals: buying a car and pursuing a business administration degree at ECPI University. He also completed therapy sessions and community service requirements. “It’s been a long road,” Johnson said.
Robbins acknowledged Johnson’s progress: “Goals set, goals met,” he stated. “Mr. Johnson is a kind and decent man who now finds joy in his family, and his faith, and his life.”
William McNeil Sr., another graduate honored that day, is a retired sergeant first class with four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during his 24 years in the Army. He joined the program on February 15, 2024.
“Mr. McNeil described an overarching singular goal,” Robbins said. “To be happy and at peace.” McNeil overcame significant challenges during his time in the program with support from mentors and family members present at graduation.
He worked through various phases of treatment that included restoring his driver’s license and repairing relationships with relatives while also securing transportation for himself. McNeil shared his experience: “To be where I am right now, and how I’m feeling, and how I look at the world… It’s heartbreaking, but it’s such a joy.”
Graduates marked their completion by adding streamers to a ceremonial flag—a tradition adapted from military practice—symbolizing battles fought during their service as well as personal struggles overcome through recovery efforts.
“Many of them had to relive the battles they fought while in service,” veteran mentor Curt Powell explained. “We thought nothing more appropriate than a campaign streamer.”
The Veterans Treatment Docket was developed after two years of planning among local agencies with input from federal partners such as the Department of Veterans Affairs. The aim is to address root causes behind criminal behavior among veterans without removing accountability measures.
“This Veterans Treatment Docket exists, in part because our community is indebted to those few who raise their hands and volunteer to serve for all of us,” Robbins said.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton Johnson spoke about collective effort: “They’re always saying it takes a community to raise someone… It took a community to get these two young men to where they are now.”
Collaboration involves agencies including Community Corrections Services; Mental Health Support Services; Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; Public Defender’s Office; Chesterfield Police Department; Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office; as well as federal organizations like VA services.
“These people are a group of smart, generous funny decent hardworking public servants,” Robbins noted about those facilitating this docket process.
Johnson commented on this network: “It’s been an overwhelming level of support.”
Participants attend regular therapy sessions alongside substance use treatment programs peer mentorship court appearances every other week routine screenings required throughout each phase
“The program gave me a home that’s secured by love respect joy happiness freedom” McNeil said
With plans underway for expansion additional staff—including probation officers senior clinicians administrative assistants—will join soon supporting continued growth
“I truly need this I needed you guys I needed this program” added McNeil
Since inception seventeen former service members have participated four successfully graduated others remain active within structured five-phase model emphasizing both rehabilitation accountability
“This is how I start program with tears” recalled McNeil “You can start over be greater than you’ve ever been before”
At conclusion both men received certificates along with court orders dismissing charges connected entry into docket initiative Organizers hope success stories like theirs demonstrate possibility redemption within legal system context
“This was not just about two men finding their way It was about all us remembering no one beyond hope sometimes even after war courtroom can become place healing”
