Members of the Navy's Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) Program attended the 2018 training symposium aboard Naval Base San Diego the week of August 21-24.
In addition to the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, in attendance were 28 of 33 VLC (including all 11 newly reporting VLC) and all of the Yeomen. The VLC Program Planning Committee responsible for this highly substantive and productive training included: Lt. Cmdr. Jarrod Franks, Lt. Cmdr. (Sel) Liz Jarczyk, Lt. Cmdr.(Sel) Alyssa Nichol, Lt. Paul Wagoner and Yeomen 2nd Class Jessica Figueroa.
The training agenda included guest presenters Assistant Professor Elizabeth Cavallaro (College of Leadership and Ethics, Naval War College), Professor Elizabeth Tarloski (Head of the Veterans' Benefits Clinic, William & Mary School of Law), and Dr. Meg Garvin (Executive Director of National Crime Victim Law Institute located at Lewis & Clark Law School). Cavallaro, an educator and professional coach, discussed ways to lead by peer support where there is the risk of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Later in the day, she participated in a related roundtable discussion. Seasoned VLC also presented, including Cmdr. Ann Lundwall presented in-depth child victim representation training, Cmdr. Kim Kelly provided an update on appellate case law, and Lt. Cmdr. Alex Nica provided eight hours of Military Justice Act of 2016 training. Multiple VLC led invaluable discussion groups and roundtables on various topics from litigations strategies to proposed innovations to the VLC Program.
The Yeomen followed their own agenda for parts of their training which included in-person JAG Consolidated Administrative Business Office training as well as mentorship opportunities with detailers from the San Diego area. They joined the VLC for program-wide required training such as Vicarious Trauma.