Please join us in congratulating Legalman 1st Class (SW/EXW/IDW) Anaestasia Jackson on her selection as the 2011 Judge Advocate General Outstanding Legalman of the Year, and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Alicia Mares on her selection as the 2011 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year. In a community ripe with highly talented legalmen, their service during 2011 was particularly noteworthy.
Jackson is assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group ONE (NSWG-l), San Diego, Calif. During 2011, she provided expert legal support to NSWG-l and nine subordinate commands. Jackson volunteered for a nine month deployment to serve as the first and only Navy Legalman at Special Operations Task Force Southeast in Afghanistan. As Detainee Operations Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge, she coordinated numerous high visibility detainee transfers and command investigations. Additionally, she facilitated legal assistance services for 3,750 military personnel serving at 24 remote outstations and three military bases across Afghanistan. Finally, Jackson demonstrated tremendous leadership in her ability to motivate junior Sailors in their pursuit of warfare qualifications.
Mares is assigned to Region Legal Service Office Southwest (RLSO SW) San Diego, Calif. As Leading Petty Officer for the Command Services Department, she deftly led a team of 14 Sailors in the largest department at RLSO SW, responsible for facilitating legal services to more than 550 client commands. Additionally, Mares served as a recorder for six administrative separation boards, five of which resulted in other-than-honorable discharges. Demonstrating outstanding personal initiative, Mares rebuilt the command First Class Petty Officers' Association, resulting in improved morale and cohesion across the enlisted ranks. Selflessly dedicated, Mares also performed three challenging collateral duties and completed significant coursework in pursuit of her Associate's degree.
Bravo Zulu to the other outstanding finalists: Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Erin Crusan, Carrier Strike Group THREE; Legalman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Alahnna Taylor, U.S. 3rd Fleet; Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Marcella Begay, Region Legal Service Office Japan; and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jose Macumba, Naval Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, & Southwest Asia.
Finally, congratulations to the other 26 Sailors nominated for recognition this year and thank you to all the legalmen who provide daily contributions to the JAG Corps and the U.S. Navy!