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
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 ...
July 24, 2018
CIWT’s Legal Team Preserves Above-Board Domain
The Center for Information Warfare Training’s (CIWT) legal team, comprised of Lt. Alison Malloy and Tammy Hawkins, untiringly improves the entire CIWT domain, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations in maintaining good order and discipline.
July 20, 2018
2017 LAMP Distinguished Service Group Award
We are pleased to announce that the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) selected Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, Southw...
July 17, 2018
Region Legal Service Office Southeast Visits Duval County Court
Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) legal assistance department visited Duval County Court to learn about the process many of their clients have to go through....
July 15, 2018
Providing Legal Support for the “Carrier in the Desert”
Few judge advocates and legalmen get to work in the aviation community, and even fewer have an opportunity to serve as the indispensable legal team for the “Carrier in the Desert.” The staff at Regio...
July 13, 2018
Legal Advisor to the Physical Evaluation Board
Today, we’re highlighting Lt. Autumn Gibo, legal advisor to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) at the Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards (SECNAVCORB),...
July 10, 2018
Judge Advocates Join 22 Nations for BALTOPS Exercise
U.S. judge advocates and NATO legal advisors met at the BALTOPS 18 Pre-Sail Conference in Klaipeda, Lithuania, discussing both real world and exercise issues of international and operational law. The Conference was a final opportunity for face-to-f...
June 29, 2018
Joint Training Delegation
Lt. Joshua Fiveson, Defense Service Office West, recently served as an adjunct instructor for a joint-delegation to the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense. Fiveson taught a two-week cour...
June 28, 2018
JAG Trip Log: Millington and Pearl Harbor
In January, my planned visit to Hawaii was, unfortunately, derailed due to a shutdown of the federal government. A few ...
June 22, 2018
Victims’ Legal Counsel Serves as Panelist at Italian Jurisprudence Conference
Lt. Robert McRight, Navy Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) Naples, Italy participated in a military justice panel in Santa Maria Capua Vetere on May 25, 2018. The panel, entitled "Magistratura ...
June 19, 2018
Reservist Argues High-Profile Case Before CAAF
Capt. Bree Ermentrout argued an emerging issue before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) at Fort Hood, Texas, on April 5. Ermentrout is attached to the Navy’s Reserve Law Program unit which provides support...