Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) command services staff judge advocates (SJAs) and legalmen gathered at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to participate in the first ever Training Handoff Recognizing Issues, Vision, and Ethics (THRIVE) Seminar, April 5-6. RLSO SE command services personnel unable to travel also participated in the event remotely through Adobe Connect. The THRIVE Seminar’s mission was to grow and strengthen core command services components by personally engaging team members in a collaborative setting that encouraged the sharing of ideas, experiences, best practices, and legal knowledge. The ability for SJAs and legalmen to come together for this type of event is particularly challenging in the Southeast where branch offices and detachments are geographically dispersed.
The THRIVE Seminar opened with remarks by the commanding officer, Capt. Pat Gibbons, welcoming the attendees to the seminar. The two-day seminar consisted of periods of instruction concerning topics ranging from SJA client relationships, installation environmental issues, admiralty for the waterfront, ethics programs, and the Military Justice Act of 2016 for SJAs. Additionally, THRIVE’s sessions covered topics beyond the traditional legal issues. Lt. Cmdr. David Melson, deputy chief knowledge officer, presented on knowledge management, which was a critical goal and driving force behind THRIVE. An interactive discussion led by senior legalmen addressed leadership and team dynamics. Finally, a team building exercise was held at Breakout Jacksonville to foster espirit de corps among the attendees.
All attendees left with newfound professional relationships within the RLSO SE offices and a greater understanding of how to confront the common issues within command services.