PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii –
Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Hawaii held a change of command ceremony on July 21, 2021, aboard Battleship Missouri (BB 63) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Rear Adm. Darse E. “Del” Crandall, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Bradley A. Appleman was relieved by Cmdr. Michele V. Rosen as commanding officer.
“The events of the past year and a half certainly made my experience in command memorable, and not what I imagined coming into the assignment, but I have been continuously impressed by the RLSO Hawaii team’s agility, toughness, and resilience during the pandemic and their unwavering focus on mission accomplishment. RLSO Hawaii, military and civilian, have surpassed all expectations with their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to service,” said Appleman.
Appleman heads to Washington, D.C., where he will serve the Fleet in a new position at the Office of the Judge Advocate General.
Rosen reported to Hawaii after her most recent assignment as Fleet Judge Advocate and Executive Assistant for U.S. Second Fleet.
During the past year, RLSO Hawaii continued to skillfully serve the Fleet through the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic. With appropriate mitigation measures in place, the RLSO provided legal assistance, command services, and trial services to ensure Fleet and Sailor readiness.
The July event is the last change of command ceremony for RLSO Hawaii. In August, the command will become a detachment of RLSO Northwest in Bremerton, Wash. The merger with RLSO Northwest will reduce administrative requirements, create a more efficient command structure, and provide greater capability and capacity to deliver timely and professional legal services to the Fleet, Sailors and family members. After the merger, Rosen will continue leading the unit as officer-in-charge of the newly created detachment.