Defense Service Office Southeast (DSO SE) held a change of command ceremony at the Sewells Point Golf Course aboard Naval Support Activity, Norfolk, Va., July 12.
Rear Adm. John G. Hannink, deputy judge advocate general and commander of Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Holiday Hanna relieved Capt. Peter D. Galindez as commanding officer of DSO SE. "Capt. Galindez, you have performed spectacularly, leading by example and continuing to improve all aspects of the command. I know that whenever we talked you gave full credit to the superb men and women who work at DSO SE but I also know you made a great difference," said Hannink.
During the ceremony, Galindez thanked his Sailors for a rewarding tour and acknowledged the support his family has provided throughout the years.
"What I found when I reported was a well-oiled machine that did not need intrusive leadership. So I played the role of proud parent watching their son or daughter from the back row, giving each of you the room to take charge, to make the hard decisions, even fail at times, as others had done for me, knowing that I was watching the future leaders of the JAGC and our society develop before me. Thank you all for the last two years,” said Galindez.
Galindez will assume duties as Force Judge Advocate for Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT).
Hanna just completed his tour at the Office of the Naval Inspector General as Special Assistant for Legal Matters. He has also served as the command judge advocate aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), as the Executive Office from Naval Legal Service Office Northwest, as Military Judge in the Central Judicial Circuit in which he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, serving as the Chief of Detention, Judicial, and Legal Policy in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq. Hanna also served as the Force Judge Advocate to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
"Admiral Hannink, thank you for this opportunity to command and thank you Pete for your incredibly warm reception and fantastic turnover,” said Hanna. Hanna, a San Francisco, Calif., native, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1987, and from American University (Washington College of Law) with a Juris Doctor degree in 1991. He is admitted to the Maryland Bar. He was commissioned through the Student Program while in law school.
DSO SE provides legal advice and representation to eligible service members at courts martial and administrative proceedings, including enlisted administrative separation boards and officer boards of inquiry, within the assigned area of responsibility.