Jacksonville, Fla. –
In February and March, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), Defense Service Office Southeast (DSO SE), and Southeastern Region Victim’s Legal Counsel (VLC) hosted two special visits from Commander of Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Rear Adm. David G. Wilson.
Wilson’s visit covered extensive portions of the Southeast, including visits to Pensacola, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla., Mayport, Fla., Kings Bay, Ga., Gulfport, Miss., Meridian, Miss., New Orleans, La., and Corpus Christi, Tex.
Joining him at various locations was Master Chief Legalman Brook Larkins, senior enlisted advisor to Judge Advocate General of the Navy and senior enlisted leader of NLSC.
The two guests hosted a series of roundtables with RLSO SE, VLC, and DSO SE personnel, as they met with staff judge advocates, trial counsel, defense counsel, legal assistance attorneys, civilian employees, and VLCs from across the region.
On March 4, Wilson addressed the commands in a massive all-hands facilitated through video conferencing. Among his call outs were three hand-selected RLSO SE assets: Lt. Morgan McGill, the NLSC Command Services Attorney of the Year; Lt. Marcus Leach, the NLSC Recruiter of the Year; and Legalman 1st Class Dameon Smith, a finalist for NLSC Service Member of the Year.
Wilson addressed the NLSC priorities of fleet readiness and Sailor readiness, and the importance of the legal services in supporting these priorities. He concluded by addressing questions from all in attendance, and provided insight on the changes anticipated in the wake of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, to include the establishment of a novel Office of Special Trial Counsel falling under NLSC.
As the commander of NLSC, Wilson leads attorneys, Legalmen, and civilian employees of 13 separate commands that provide prosecution and defense services, legal services, specialized legal training, and legal support to U.S. Navy units across the globe. RLSO SE, as one of the eight Region Legal Service Offices of NLSC, covers the largest region of responsibility.