Navy JAG Corps Reserve Component Holds Change of Command

December 3rd, 2012

[caption id="attachment_12093" align="alignright" width="300"] [caption id="attachment_12093" align="alignright" width="300"]Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi salutes Rear Adm. Steven Talson, outgoing Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, during a change of command ceremony in the Sail Loft at the Washington Navy Yard. Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi salutes Rear Adm. Steven Talson, outgoing Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, during a change of command ceremony in the Sail Loft at the Washington Navy Yard. Rear Adm. Steven M. Talson was relieved by Rear Adm. Janet R. Donovan as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command at a Change of Office and Retirement Ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Nov. 30. Donovan was nominated to flag rank in January 2012 while serving as the Navy Reserve Law Program Manager and Operational Support Officer, and as Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. In her new position, Donovan will be responsible for leading the reserve Judge Advocate General community and ensuring the provision of legal services to commands around the world. Donovan transitioned to the Reserve Component in 1991. Since then, she has commanded Navy Reserve Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic 206 and Navy Reserve Appellate Review/NAVJAG 113. She also served in a wide variety of commands including United States Forces Korea; Naval Legal Service Office, Washington D.C.; the U S. Naval Academy, and the Office of the Judge Advocate, General Litigation Division. "Rear Adm. Donovan has left a legacy of excellence in her wake everywhere she's ever been. No one is better prepared to step in and face the challenges that we are going to face over the course of the next four years than Janet Donovan," said DeRenzi. Talson retired after 33 years of service in the U.S. Navy. "Rear Adm. Talson's focus has been on the active duty JAG Corps and our clients. We have reaped the benefits of his focus on customer service for the past four years -- every single day," said DeRenzi. He was commissioned through the JAG Corps Student Program while attending the University of Maryland School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor degree in May, 1980. He joined the Naval Reserve following his release from active duty in 1987, and served in a variety of billets to include four command assignments: Legal Service Office Norfolk Det. 306; Volunteer Training Unit (Law) 0603; Civil Law Support Activity 206 (Litigation); and Navy Personnel Command 06 Det. 106. Under his command, the latter two units were selected for the Rear Admiral Hugh H. Howell Award for best Reserve Law Program unit. Talson also served as Staff Judge Advocate for Readiness Command Mid-Atlantic/Region Mid-Atlantic Reserve Component Command, and on the staff of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. There are currently more than 600 reserve judge advocates and legalmen practicing in the fields of military justice, international and operational law, legal assistance, admiralty, and other specialized areas. They serve throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi salutes Rear Adm. Steven Talson, outgoing Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, during a change of command ceremony in the Sail Loft at the Washington Navy Yard. Rear Adm. Steven M. Talson was relieved by Rear Adm. Janet R. Donovan as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command at a Change of Office and Retirement Ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Nov. 30. Donovan was nominated to flag rank in January 2012 while serving as the Navy Reserve Law Program Manager and Operational Support Officer, and as Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. In her new position, Donovan will be responsible for leading the reserve Judge Advocate General community and ensuring the provision of legal services to commands around the world. Donovan transitioned to the Reserve Component in 1991. Since then, she has commanded Navy Reserve Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic 206 and Navy Reserve Appellate Review/NAVJAG 113. She also served in a wide variety of commands including United States Forces Korea; Naval Legal Service Office, Washington D.C.; the U S. Naval Academy, and the Office of the Judge Advocate, General Litigation Division. "Rear Adm. Donovan has left a legacy of excellence in her wake everywhere she's ever been. No one is better prepared to step in and face the challenges that we are going to face over the course of the next four years than Janet Donovan," said DeRenzi. Talson retired after 33 years of service in the U.S. Navy. "Rear Adm. Talson's focus has been on the active duty JAG Corps and our clients. We have reaped the benefits of his focus on customer service for the past four years -- every single day," said DeRenzi. He was commissioned through the JAG Corps Student Program while attending the University of Maryland School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor degree in May, 1980. He joined the Naval Reserve following his release from active duty in 1987, and served in a variety of billets to include four command assignments: Legal Service Office Norfolk Det. 306; Volunteer Training Unit (Law) 0603; Civil Law Support Activity 206 (Litigation); and Navy Personnel Command 06 Det. 106. Under his command, the latter two units were selected for the Rear Admiral Hugh H. Howell Award for best Reserve Law Program unit. Talson also served as Staff Judge Advocate for Readiness Command Mid-Atlantic/Region Mid-Atlantic Reserve Component Command, and on the staff of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. There are currently more than 600 reserve judge advocates and legalmen practicing in the fields of military justice, international and operational law, legal assistance, admiralty, and other specialized areas. They serve throughout the United States and in several foreign countries.