The Naval Civil Law Support Activity held a change of command and retirement ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on July 8.
During the traditional change of command ceremony, presided over by the Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, Rear Adm. Kirk Foster was relieved by Capt. Paul Kiamos, as the Commander, Naval Civil Law Support Activity, and the Assistant Judge Advocate General (Civil Law).
Foster was promoted upon his retirement after 28 years of honorable and dedicated service to our Nation and our Navy. For the past three years Foster has served with distinction as the Commander, Naval Civil Law Support Activity, and the Assistant Judge Advocate General (Civil Law).
"Rear Adm. Foster’s service as Assistant Judge Advocate General marked the culmination of an extraordinarily successful career," said Crawford. "We are also fortunate to have the benefit of Captain Kiamos’ talents and experience to fill this important position."
Foster entered the JAG Corps through the Student Program. After earning his juris doctor from Villanova University School of Law in 1987, he attended the Naval Justice School and began his JAG Corps career at the Naval Legal Service Office in San Diego, California.
"I'm grateful for the shipmates, the colleagues, and the mentors that helped, encouraged, and supported me along the journey,” said Foster.
Kiamos is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He just completed his tour as the staff judge advocate for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. In 1989, he received his juris doctor from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Following his admission to the Illinois bar, Kiamos practiced law in Chicago, specializing in civil litigation and was commissioned in the JAG Corps in 1992 through the direct accession program. In 2002, Kiamos was awarded a Master of Law degree in environmental law from the George Washington University.
"The Navy's and JAG Corps' greatest asset is our people - each and every one of you; officer, enlisted, and civilian employees,” said Kiamos. "Together, we will do our part to successfully tackle every challenge we encounter. I look forward to working alongside each of you."
Naval Civil Law Support Activity directly supports the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. The judge advocates, civilian attorneys, paralegals, and technicians of the command furnish legal advice to the Naval establishment on international and operational law, admiralty and maritime law, environmental law, administrative law and associated litigation, tort claims and associated litigation, civil legal matters, intelligence law, cyber law, as well as providing representation to individual Sailors within the disability evaluation system. The Commanding Officer, Naval Civil Law Support Activity, is designated as the Assistant Judge Advocate General for Civil Law and oversees the professional practice of all Navy judge advocates and civilian attorneys who practice under the cognizance of the Judge Advocate General.
The Secretary of the Navy has established four Assistant Judge Advocate General positions, which are considered to have duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grades of Rear Admiral (Lower Half) and Brigadier General. If an Assistant Judge Advocate General serves for at least three years, with at least one year being specifically detailed by the Secretary of the Navy as the Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy, he or she may be promoted to flag rank upon retirement.