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June 26, 2020
At the Tip of the Spear in the Horn of Africa
Capt. Christopher Greer – a seasoned judge advocate with extensive international and national security law experience – currently serves as the staff judge advocate for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). He calls his post at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) – the only enduring U.S. military location on the African continent – one of his most challenging and rewarding assignments. He, alongside a top-notch team of legal professionals, is making a lasting mark in a critically important area of responsibility.
June 25, 2020
RLSO NW Holds Change of Command
Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) held the JAG Corps’ first virtual change of command ceremony at the Bremerton Courtroom aboard Naval Base Kitsap, WA, on 19 June. Capt. Warren Record relieved Capt. Chuck LeMoyne as Commanding Officer of RLSO NW.
June 5, 2020
A Day in the Life of Admiralty Attorney Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Fralick
This first decade of Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Fralick’s Navy JAG Corps career was diverse and accomplished, and it prepared him well for his current assignment at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Fralick graduated from the JAG ...
June 3, 2020
Lt. Cmdr. Catherine McMahon is Recognized by UGA Law School
Earlier this year, Lt. Cmdr. Catherine T. (Katie) McMahon – a member of the Navy JAG community – was named a 2020 Young Alumni/Alumnae of Excellence Award recipient by her alma mater, the University of Georgia (UGA) Law School.
May 29, 2020
Cmdr. Craig Thedwall Receives Environmental Achievement Award
On May 13, during a virtual ceremony, Navy JAG community member Cmdr. Craig Thedwall, who currently serves as the Navy Region Northwest environmental counsel, was presented the Richard W. Eddy Environmental Achievement Award.
May 13, 2020
In Fallon, the Unexpected is Expected
No two days are the same for Lt. Timothy Garcia, who leads the bustling Region Legal Service Office Southwest branch office located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev.In fact, Garcia’s role as branch head is just...
May 1, 2020
JAG Community Receives ABA LAMP Awards
Every year, the American Bar Association (ABA) recognizes an exemplary practitioner, as well as a legal team, with the prestigious Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) Distinguished Service Awards. In March, the ABA Standing Committee announced the 2019 recipients: Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi, Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Southeast Branch Office New Orleans, La., received the individual award; and RLSO Southwest Legal Assistance Department received the group award.
April 9, 2020
Lt. Cmdr. Jarrod Franks is Recognized by His Alma Mater
Lt. Cmdr. Jarrod Franks earned his first post-graduate degree in 2009 and hit the ground running. His subsequent professional accomplishments caught the eye of leadership at his alma mater, Arizona State University (ASU), and he recently was selected in 2020 to receive the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s Recent Alumni Achievement Award.
March 27, 2020
LN2 Sawyer Selected for the In-Service Procurement Program
The Navy JAG community's In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) Selection Board convened to consider 13 highly qualified candidates on Feb. 4, 2020. The board relied upon the “whole person” concept to identify applicants with the greatest potential for successful service as a Navy judge advocate. Ultimately, Legalman 2nd Class Cade A. Sawyer was named the 2020 IPP selected.
March 24, 2020
MCDO’s Officer of the Year!
With his years of experience and lifelong passion, it should come as no surprise that Lt. Charles “Chuck” Ball was named the Military Commissions Defense Organization’s (MCDO) Officer of the Year.
March 10, 2020
Navy Reserve Law Program Officer Takes Part in Special Ceremony
Capt. D. Monique Brown – Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve, Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity – took part in a joint swearing-in ceremony during the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas on Jan. 4.
March 3, 2020
Naval Justice School Instructor Leaves a Lasting Impression on His Students
Students of all ranks call him “fantastic,” “motivated and knowledgeable,” and “well-prepared, personable, and professional.” They leave Lt. David Rowley’s legal courses feeling more energized and engaged.
Feb. 28, 2020
2020 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced
The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program has announced that Lt. Cmdr. Jarrod Franks -- a member of the Navy JAG community -- has been selected as one of the 60 Scholars chosen for the program’s sixth annual class. PLS serves as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 24, 2020
2019 JAG Legalman of the Year and Naval Legal Service Command Sailor/Marine of the Year
Leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps Judge Advocate General (JAG) communities honored the achievements and service of the top enlisted Sailors and Marines during a recognition ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on Jan. 24.
Jan. 14, 2020
JAG Visits Groton
Region Legal Service Office Detachment Groton (RLSO MIDLANT Det. Groton) hosted Vice Adm. John G. Hannink on Dec. 19, 2019. Hannink the Groton team while en route to Newport, R.I., to address graduates at Naval Justice School.
Jan. 9, 2020
Navy Announces New Legalman Conversion Opportunities
Beginning in 2020, the Navy’s Legalman (LN) community is expanding career opportunities for Sailors interested in cross-rating.
Dec. 13, 2019
Judge Advocates Pen Chapters for New Book
Navy judge advocates Cmdr. Tim Boyle and Cmdr. Sean Thompson were published in the recently released book, The Law of Naval Warfare, which was compiled by the University of Adelaide Law School in Australia.
Dec. 6, 2019
CSS-15 Announces Sailors of the Year
Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen announced its Sailors of the Year during an all hands call at Konetzni Hall, Nov 14. Capt. Tim Poe and Command Master Chief Eric Baker announced Legalman 1st Class Stacy Oglesby-Peacock as Senior Sailor of the Year and Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Patrick Trevino as the Junior Sailor of the Year.
Nov. 22, 2019
USS GHWB Legal Department Earn Qualifications
The Legal Department aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) crushed qualifications! Lt. SaraAnn Bennett qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway) (OOD(U/W)), Legalman 1st Class Precious Lee and Legalman 3rd Class Tiffany Williams earned Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) qualifications, and Legalman 1st Class Jonathan White earned Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) qualification.
Nov. 20, 2019
Navy Reserve Law Program Luminary Retires
On Nov. 2, 2019, Capt. Bradley Cordts -- a widely respected member of the Navy Reserve Law Program -- retired after 31 years of service. The ceremony was held at the World War II Museum in New Orleans, La. Capt. Mark Holley -- who currently leads the Inspector General's office at the JAG community headquarters -- served as the master of ceremonies and Rear Adm. (ret.) Carol M. Lynch officiated the ceremony. More than 75 friends, family, and shipmates attended the ceremony to celebrate Cordts’ long and distinguished career.
Nov. 15, 2019
Ms. Jana Rittman Received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Human Resource Specialist at the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS), Ms. Jana Rittman received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for outstanding meritorious service while serving the Judge Advocate General and Commander, Navy Legal Service ...
Nov. 8, 2019
Judge Advocate and Harvard Law School Fellow Shares Public Service Experience
Lt. Joshua Fiveson – a judge advocate currently assigned to the Appellate Government Division at the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy – provided remarks at the 20th annual dinner for Harvard Law School (HLS) Heyman Fellows in Washington, D.C.
Nov. 1, 2019
VLC Team Member Coordinates Charitable Drive in Naples
In late August, Navy Yeoman 2nd Class Coryna Houston – who currently is stationed in Naples, Italy, and provides administrative support to the Navy JAG community’s Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) program – coordinated an extremely successful humanitarian drive for a nearby immigrant family shelter.
Oct. 25, 2019
Reservist Re-affiliates with Navy Reserve Law Program
Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Baugh – an accomplished civilian attorney, as well as a former judge advocate and Navy Reserve member – re-affiliated with the Navy Reserve Law Program. Motivated by a sense of duty...
Oct. 18, 2019
Judge Advocate Honored by Alma Mater
Cmdr. Tim Stone – who currently serves as the officer in charge at Defense Service Office (DSO) West in Bremerton, Wash. – was honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award from his undergraduate alma mater, Ottawa University, on Oct. 11, 2019.
Oct. 11, 2019
JAG Community Member Named Honor Graduate of Sergeants Course
Marine Corps Sgt. Demontre Neal – who currently is assigned to the trial department at the Region Legal Service Office detachment in Pensacola, Fla. – was named Honor Graduate of the Sergeants Course on Sept. 30, 2019, at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Oct. 8, 2019
Navy Reserve Law Program Holds Change of Office
WASHINGTON (NNS) – Rear Adm. Les E. Reardanz relieved Rear Adm. Carol M. Lynch as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations, and deputy commander, Naval Legal Service Command, at a change of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard Oct. 4.
Oct. 4, 2019
Judge Advocate Helps Plan Women’s Symposium in Sasebo
Lt. Shauna Morris – a judge advocate assigned to Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific – played an integral role in the planning and execution of the 2019 Sasebo Women’s Waterfront Symposium on Sept. 18 at the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) Community Education Center.
Sept. 20, 2019
LT Thomas Caruso Receives Law School Award
Lt. Thomas M. Caruso has been named a recipient of the 2019 Syracuse Law Honors Awards, which are presented annually to celebrate the achievements of the university’s law school alumni, faculty and current students.
Sept. 13, 2019
Judge Advocates Recognized with 2019 LATINA Style Awards
Two Navy judge advocates – Lt. Cmdr. Margaret “Maggie” Cole and Lt. Melissa “Mely” Rodriguez – were presented with 2019 LATINA Style Meritorious Service Awards on Sept. 5 at the 16th Annual National Latina Symposium in Arlington, Va.
Sept. 6, 2019
American Bar Association Honors Navy Judge Advocates
The career achievements of three Navy judge advocates were recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) during an awards ceremony in August at the organization's annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
Aug. 30, 2019
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Holds Gender and Diversity Forum
Lt. Cmdr. Sarah R. Dorsett assisted Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island host a successful “Mission Readiness: Gender and Diversity in the United States Navy” forum on Ault Field. Dorsett served as the Installation Staff Judge Advocate and the Branch Head and Legal Assistance attorney at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Branch Office Whidbey Island from July 2016 through July 2019.
JAG Community Member Completes Clerkship at D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals
Navy judge advocate Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams took a new oath of office during a special ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., Aug. 13. Adams returned to active duty after completing a one-year clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Navy JAG Corps Officers Benefit from the Career Intermission Program
Three Navy judge advocates share their Career Intermission Program stories, and how this vital Navy program benefitted them professionally and personally.
Aug. 20, 2019
Navy Hosts First Joint-Service Disability Evaluation System Certification Course
The Navy’s Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program (DESCP) hosted the first-ever Joint Service DESCP Training and Certification Course at Lackland Air Force Base, July 15-18. Nearly 200 practitioners from all branches of service attended this milestone event, which was planned and staffed by JAG community personnel.
Aug. 9, 2019
Distinguished NLSC Attorney Earns Award, Selected for the Executive Leadership Development Program
Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) is proud to announce that Erica S. Riley has been selected to participate in the Department of Defense’s...
Aug. 2, 2019
CNO Naval History Essay Contest Winner
Lt. Philip D. Mayer was selected as a winner of the 2019 CNO Naval History Essay Contest in the category of Rising Historian for his essay "Incubate Innovation: The Development of Naval Aviation in the Interwar Period". Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson presented awards to the winners at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy on the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC on July 17. Mayer is currently serving as a first-tour judge advocate at Region Legal Service Office Southeast. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense.
July 29, 2019
RLSO MIDLANT Holds Change of Command
Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO MIDLANT) held its change of command ceremony at Vista Point Center on 10 July 2019. The full audience included many distinguished gu...
July 26, 2019
RLSO NDW LGBT Pride Celebration and Reflection Event
Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) Inclusion & Diversity Heritage Committee held a LGBT Pride professional development event in observance of LGBT Pride Month on June 19. The event, held in the RLSO NDW courtroom, drew several dozen JAG Community members from across the National Capital Region, including Navy Judge Advocate General Vice Adm. John Hannink and colleagues from RLSO NDW, Defense Service Office North and the Office of the Navy Judge Advocate General.
July 19, 2019
Fleet Engagement Efforts in Rota
The Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) is renewing its focus on Fleet engagement. To support this effort, the RLSO has designed and rolled-out the Fleet Legal Engagement Program (FLEP) to create positive opportunities for Sailors to engage with the N...
July 12, 2019
National Security Law Extern Makes His Mark
Alex Park knew he wanted to be a judge advocate even before he applied to the Georgetown University Law Center. “That feeling was solidified when, while in law school, I learned the JAG Corps provided an opportu...
July 9, 2019
NCIS SJA Presents Law Enforcement Public Service Award to Interagency Investigative Team
Lt. David Layne, staff judge advocate, Executive Assistant Director for Atlantic Operations Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), presented a public service award to members of the NCIS, Defense Criminal investigative Service, Internal Revenue Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in the case of United States v. Randolph M. Prince.
July 1, 2019
Marriage in Japan — Misconception and Actuality
Servicemembers often come to the Legal Assistance Office seeking advice in getting married in Japan. They visit us either to seek information regarding the process or assistance in obtaining command approval. They often come misinformed. This article is intended to dispel the five most common misconceptions about getting married in Japan.
June 28, 2019
The JAG Community Supports BALTOPS 2019
Eight members of the Navy’s JAG community – as well as U.S. Marine Corps judge advocates and a civilian attorney – provided critical legal support to the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019 exercise June 9-21 in the B...
June 27, 2019
CARAT 2019: Building Security Through Maritime Domain Awareness
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Todd Hutchins, staff judge advocate assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, and Royal Thai Navy Capt. Yuthanavi Mungthanya, commanding officer of HTMS Bandpakong (FFG 456), participate in a maritime domain awarenes...
RLSO Hawaii Holds Change of Command
Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Hawaii held a change of command ceremony June 19 aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Rear Adm. Darse E. Cranda...
June 21, 2019
Miller Wins Junior Civilian of the Year
Diane Miller, Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) EURAFSWA (Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia) Detachment Rota, received the Junior Civilian of the Year 2018 for Naval Legal Service Command (...
June 14, 2019
2019 Navy JAG Corps Summer Interns
The Navy JAG Corps is proud to welcome our 2019 summer interns! The Navy JAG Corps offers internships and externships to law students wishing to gain valuable legal experience, the opportunity for academic credit, and greater insight into life as a Navy judge advocate. Meet some of our summer interns.
Officers Receive Outstanding Career Judge Advocate Awards
On May 21, the exceptional achievements of two members of the Navy JAG community – Cmdr. Katherine “Katy” Pasieta and Cmdr. Ann Vallandingham – were acknowledged with Outstanding Career Judge Advocate Awards. Th...
June 7, 2019
Day in the Life of a Navy JAG
Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington's recruiting team hosted a successful "Day in the Life of a Navy JAG" event, welcoming law students and career service advisors from local law schools to the Pentagon. The event included variou...