May 17, 2019

Navy Judge Advocate Awarded the U.S. Special Operations Command Garrison Award

Lt. Cmdr. Charles (“Charlie”) Gough was awarded the 2018 U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Garrison Award. The Maj. Gen. Garrison award is presented to the attorney or paralegal who b...

May 10, 2019

Navy Civilian Makes Quilts for Children

Mr. Randal Powers, Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Mid-Atlantic Branch Office Newport, is an expert quilter and has dedicated numerous hours to making quilts for ill children. Starting when he was about 10 years old, Powers helped his mom quilt...

May 3, 2019

Legalman Plans “Women Trailblazing at Sea” Symposium

Legalman 1st Class Keia Greenwood – a member of the Navy JAG community, who has been attached to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) since September 2017 – played a critical role in the planning of the inaugural "Women Trailblazing at Sea" symposium on March 13.

April 26, 2019

Legal Officer Course Mobile Training Team

Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore is quickly becoming a hub for innovation and creative ways to train the over 6,000 Sailors assigned in the area. A joint effort by NAS Lemoore staff judge advocate (S...

April 19, 2019

Key West SJA partners with local Law Enforcement

Naval Air Station Key West's Security Forces issued 37 federal citations to vessels anchored in restricted waters off Fleming Key, including a number of vessels being operated as vacation rentals. The enforcement operation was conducted in conjunctio...

April 16, 2019

Professional Development at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

Region Legal Service Office Southeast first tour judge advocates from Jacksonville, Mayport, and Pensacola traveled to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay to participate in "Kings Bay Day," an...

April 5, 2019

Judge advocates Attend Oxford Course for Military and Government Lawyers

Cmdr. Bradley Parker, Office of the Judge Advocate General, and Lt. Derek Kandt, Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (RLSO EURAFSWA), attended the 2019 Oxford Course for...

March 29, 2019

Navy Judge Advocate helps train African nations in Cutlass Express 2019

Cmdr. Brian Whitaker, a judge advocate assigned to Navy Reserve Commander Navy Europe-Navy Africa-Sixth Fleet, joined with sailors and marines from around the world in Pemba, Mozambique in support of exercise Cutlass Express 2019, Jan. 28-Feb 6.

March 22, 2019

Naval District Washington Trains Prosecutors and Investigators

Lt. Amanda Serfess – trial counsel at Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington – trained local JAG community and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) personnel. During two lively lea...

March 15, 2019

JAG Corps Team Receives Tour of Mine Countermeasures Ship USS Gladiator (MCM11)

The team from Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) EURAFSWA Detachment Bahrain toured the USS Gladiator (MCM 11), one of four Mine Countermeasures ships home-ported in Bahrain. It was the first time...

March 8, 2019

Mighty IKE’s all-female legal team sets a big precedent

Last summer, the legal department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) became the ship’s only all-female department. While all-female workplaces are incre...

March 1, 2019

RLSO MIDLANT Hosts Second Annual “A Day in the Life of a U.S. Navy JAG”

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic’s (RLSO MIDLANT) recruiting team hosted another successful “A Day in the Life of a U.S. Navy JAG” event, welcoming 33 prospective judge advoca...

Feb. 26, 2019

MIT SEMINAR XXI: Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest

Navy JAG Corps senior officers and civilians seeking to deepen their understanding of national security and foreign relations policy are eligible to apply to be Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellows at no cost to themselves or their assigned command.

Feb. 22, 2019

Legalman Selected for JAG Corps In-Service Procurement Program

The Fiscal Year 2019 Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) selection board met in February to consider 15 highly qualified applicants and selected Legalman 1st Class Matthew B. Burns, Strategic Communications Wing One (SCW-1) the second legalman selectee in the program’s five-year history.

Feb. 21, 2019

U.S. 2nd Fleet and the Era of Great Power Competition

In early 2018, a new National Defense Strategy was released highlighting a shift in focus from regional threats to great power competition. Seeing the need to adopt this new focus, CNO announced the reestablishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet, calling it a “dynamic response to a dynamic security environment” and adding, “That’s why today, we’re standing up 2nd Fleet to address these changes, particularly in the North Atlantic.”

Feb. 15, 2019

2019 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced

Lt. Ben Maddox selected to participate in the prestigious program

Feb. 12, 2019

Five Years In, Navy JAG Corps In-service Procurement Program Continues to Shine

This past month, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) hosted a commissioning ceremony for Lt. j.g. Melisa Wink, welcoming her as the newest member of the RLSO NDW and Navy JAG Corps wardroom. Wink, a 2018 honors graduate of George Mason University School of Law, checked aboard RLSO NDW in 2015 as Cryptologic Technician Collection 2nd Class Wink, the third Sailor to have earned her law degree through the JAG Corps In-service Procurement Program (IPP).

Feb. 8, 2019

USS John C. Stennis Hosts Rare General Court-Martial at Sea

A rare naval tradition was observed onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the First Navy Jack was hoisted up the signal yardarm, indicating a General Court-Martial was being held at sea.

Feb. 5, 2019

VITA Connects Service Members to Tax Support

The 2019 tax season is underway, and, once again, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is open to eligible Navy personnel, dependents, and retirees at select locations around th...

Feb. 1, 2019

Legalman 7th Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Phil Sawyer announced the 2018 Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at the Chief Petty Officer’s Club in Yokosuka, Japan Jan 17th. This year’s competition featured 9 Sailors competing for the prestigious award. “

Jan. 28, 2019

Tax Season: What You Need to Know

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Free-File Options

Jan. 28, 2019

Direct Commissioning Officer Program Selectee Blazes a New Trail

The Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps recently welcomed its first enlisted selectee under the Direct Commissioning Officer Program (DCOP). Blazing a trail for other enlisted Sailors,...

Jan. 25, 2019

2018 Legalman of the Year and Sailor of the Year

Leaders of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) community honored the outstanding service of top enlisted Sailors during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on Jan. 25.

Jan. 18, 2019

Judge Advocate Receives Deep Submergence Insignia

On Dec. 27, 2018, Lt. Sharai Elko – Staff Judge Advocate, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) ELEVEN – earned the Deep Submergence Insignia qualification – a special distinction not often awarded to Navy judge advocates....

Jan. 11, 2019

JAG Community Members Build Relationships in Key West

In late November, Legalman 1st Class Dameon Smith and Lt. John Wilson, from the Naval Air Station Key West staff judge advocate office, proactively arranged a tour of the Coast Guard station in Key West, ...

Dec. 21, 2018

Legalman Named COMLOG WESTPAC Senior Sailor of the Year

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC) named Legalman (LN) 1st Class Rebecca Duclayan as its senior Sailor of the year during a ceremony Dec. 7.

Dec. 14, 2018

Lt. Bob Liu Supports Largest Overseas Navy Hospital

With only a handful of military treatment facilities with dedicated staff judge advocates (SJAs), there aren’t many judge advocates with medical law experience. Fewer have to deal with the mix of medical law with a layer of foreign national law and a...

Dec. 7, 2018

Pensacola MCRU Employee Reaches 35-Year Milestone

Donna Landry -- a longtime member of the Navy JAG community who currently serves as a claims examiner at the Medical Care Recovery Unit (MCRU) in Pensacola, Fla. -- recently was acknowledged for reaching her 35th anniversary of federal service.

Nov. 30, 2018

Southern Seas 2018 Mission

When U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet sought volunteers to deploy to Central and South America aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) in April 2018, I immediately raised my hand.  At the time, I was a first tour judge advocate (FTJA) working in the Trial Department at Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Nov. 16, 2018

VLC Program Wins Carrington Crime Victim Attorney Award

On Nov. 2, 2018, the Navy's ground-breaking Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) program received the American Bar Association's (ABA) annual Frank Carrington Crime Victim Attorney Award in Washington, D.C. The award was a...

Nov. 14, 2018

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Ethics Counselor —Holiday Ethics

‘Tis the season to consult your Ethics Counselor! Below are some issues that come up annually during the holidays. See Page 8 for a discussion on NFEs and BOOFOOs.

Nov. 9, 2018

RLSO Japan Colleague Celebrates 30 Years of Service and Bar Qualification

On Oct. 19, 2018, Capt. Florencio Yuzon and Lt. Francesla Sequeira attended a celebration honoring Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Japan's own Ms. Kazumi Takahara (above, center) for more than 30 years of honorable service with United States Forces Japan (USFJ) and the Japanese Government.

Nov. 2, 2018

Judge Advocates Participate in Trident Juncture 2018

U.S. Navy and Marine judge advocates from STRIKFORNATO, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO (ESG-2), Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, PHIBRON ...

Oct. 26, 2018

Legalman Earns "Spirit of Freedom" Award

Earlier this fall, Legalman 1st Class Chardae M. Longshore – a JAG community member who currently serves in the legal department onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) – was selected to be a recipient of the "Sp...

Oct. 19, 2018

Judge Advocate Receives Grateful Nation Award

The Jewish Institute of National Security of America (JINSA) hosted a dinner in Washington, D.C. where JAG community member Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Romelhardt was presented with a Grateful Nation Award on Oct. 10.

Oct. 16, 2018

RLSO NW Holds Change of Command

Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) held its change of command ceremony at the Bangor Plaza aboard Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor, Washington on Aug. 18. The ceremony was prec...

Oct. 12, 2018

Whidbey Island Legal Assistance Attorney Wins Award

Ms. Cecilia Welch, the civilian legal assistance attorney and subject matter expert at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Whidbey Island, was recently selected by the Washington State Bar As...

Oct. 5, 2018

Reserve Judge Advocate Earns WSBA Award

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) named Capt. Les Reardanz – a highly respected member of the Navy Reserve Law Program and a valued colleague in the Navy JAG community – winner of the prestigious APEX 201...

Sept. 25, 2018

2018 Victims’ Legal Counsel Symposium

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 att...

Sept. 21, 2018

3rd Annual Advance Cyber Law Course Held at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command

The U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), in coordination with the Naval Justice School and the Navy Office of the Judge Advocate General, co-hosted the annual Advanced Cyber Law Course at FCC/C10F headquarters, for the 3rd consecutive year, from Sept. 12-14.

Sept. 14, 2018

Judge Advocate Wins 2018 LATINA Style Award

JAG community member Lt. Kimberly Rios – who currently serves as Navy and Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity (Code 46) appellate government counsel – was awarded a 2018 LATINA Style Distinguished Mil...

Sept. 12, 2018

Navy JAG Corps Holds Change of Office Ceremony

Today, the Navy JAG Corps will hold a change of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard. During the traditional change of office ceremony, presided over by the Chief of Naval Operations Adm...

Sept. 7, 2018

Sailor Excels During PANAMAX Exercise

This summer, during PANAMAX 2018 -- an annual multinational exercise focused on securing and defending the Panama Canal -- several members of the JAG community provided exceptional legal support. In particular, Leg...

Sept. 4, 2018

IKE Legal Team, Here to Help

Legalmen protect Sailors by ensuring they are aware of their rights and by exploring every legal option available in their time of need.

Aug. 28, 2018

U.S. Navy Judge Advocates Make their Mark in RIMPAC 2018

The world’s largest international maritime exercise was recently completed on and around the islands of Hawaii, and U.S. Navy judge advocates played an active, critical role in these operational training events. The Rim of the...

Aug. 24, 2018

Judge Advocate Recognized as Innovation Award Finalist

Lt. Ryan Kennedy – a member of the Navy JAG community, who currently serves as the deputy command judge advocate aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) – was named a 2017 Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Inno...

Aug. 16, 2018

Fleet Cyber Command Officer is First JAG to Earn IWO Pin

Cmdr. Danielle Higson, deputy staff judge advocate assigned to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/ U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F), became the first member of the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps in the Navy to earn the Information Warfare Officer pin during a ceremony held at FCC Headquarters Aug. 10.

Aug. 10, 2018

Legalman Named RI Military Woman Of Year

Chief Legalman (Information Warfare) Stephani Pavoni was honored as the Military Woman of the Year for the State of Rhode Island in a ceremony on Naval Station Newport in June. Pavoni earned the an...

Aug. 3, 2018

2017 LAMP Distinguished Service Individual Award

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) selected Ms. Cynthia Catalan-Rodriguez, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO), ...

July 27, 2018

Navy Judge Advocate Named Among Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40

Lt. Cmdr. Jake Romelhardt has been named among the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 (Class of 2018) by the National LGBT Bar Association. Romelhardt and his fellow honorees will be honored at the ...