Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

Last month, the Naval Legal Service Command command master chief Jondell Ritchie and I visited JAG community personnel stationed at NAS Patuxent River, Md. Last month, the Naval Legal Service Command command master chief Jondell Ritchie and I visited JAG community personnel stationed at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

I gain enlightening insights from all of my site visits, and this trip was no different. Our first stop on base was …

In July 2016, I volunteered for a three year recall to active duty to serve at the Military Commissions Defense Organization (MCDO). When I volunteered I had very little understanding of exactly what MCDO did other than it represented detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba accused of offenses related to 9/11, the bombing of the USS Cole, and other alleged acts of terrorism being tried by the Military Commissions. …

A Naval Chaplaincy School and Center instructor addressed an all-services audience attending the 2017 Integrated Legal Services for Victims Conference Sept. 12.

Lt. Cmdr. Leroy Young was invited to speak on the role of chaplains with sexual assault victims and confidential communication. The annual Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) conference aims to enhance legal services provided to service members through integrated training and collaboration. “It was an honor to …

The Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps celebrates 50 years of service and excellence on  The Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps celebrates 50 years of service and excellence on Dec. 8, 2017. "From the time the Navy created the 'law specialist' program . to the JAG Corps we know today, the Navy's legal team has made a difference every day - providing steady counsel and advice to keep …

Lt. Cmdr. Brandi Orton, Deputy Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan attended a Bilateral Women's luncheon hosted by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to further encourage networking, mentorship, and recognition of accomplishments among female Sailors serving in the JMSDF and U.S. Navy in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 6, 2017. Lt. Cmdr. Brandi Orton, Deputy Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan attended a Bilateral Women's …

Lt. Savannah Smidt, Lt. Nic Walker, Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams, Cmdr. Sara de Groot, and Cmdr. Bill Lucier, were promoted during a ceremony in the courtroom at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) in Jacksonville, Fla., on September 5, 2017. Lt. Savannah Smidt, Lt. Nic Walker, Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams, Cmdr. Sara de Groot, and Cmdr. Bill Lucier, were promoted during a ceremony in the courtroom at Region Legal …

Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) was recently selected by Navy Region Northwest as winner of the 2017 Project Good Neighbor Award in the “small command” category. As part of the Navy Community Service Program, the Project Good Neighbor Award is an annual award presented to the best year-round program that encourages humanitarian assistance to underserved communities.  Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) was recently selected by Navy …

Hurricane season 2017 tested the entire Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) team. Due to RLSO SE’s geographical size, several hurricanes have made their mark on the area, but RLSO SE personnel banded together to overcome the challenges. Hurricane season 2017 tested the entire Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) team. Due to RLSO SE’s geographical size, several hurricanes have made their mark on the area, but RLSO …

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) named Cmdr. Sylvaine W. Wong, deputy director of the Office of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Military Personnel Division, as the inaugural 2017 NAPABA Military and Veteran Service Award recipient. The award will be presented at the 2017 NAPABA Convention in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 2017. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) named Cmdr. Sylvaine W. Wong, deputy director of …

In September, Lt. j.g. Maria Deguzman, Region Legal Service Office Japan, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia. In September, Lt. j.g. Maria Deguzman, Region Legal Service Office Japan, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia.

The U.S. and Indonesian navies came together for the 23rd Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise and skills …

Navy Reserve Capt. James H. Burns was promoted in a small ceremony at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 4, 2017. Capt. Anthony Kalams, the Commanding Officer for Naval Reserve RLSO SE component, presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office.  Navy Reserve Capt. James H. Burns was promoted in a small ceremony at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), Jacksonville, Fla., on …

Legalman 1st Class Evelin Garcia, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW), was selected as the naval active-duty recipient of the 2017 National Image Inc., Meritorious Service Award. The award was presented at the 2017 National Image Training Program in September in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Legalman 1st Class Evelin Garcia, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW), was selected as the naval active-duty recipient of the 2017 National …

Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) personnel enjoyed the first ever “Kings Bay Day” gathering at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (NSB Kings Bay) to learn about base-wide operations, ballistic nuclear submarines, and the assistance provided by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in furtherance of the mission on July 21, 2017. Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) personnel enjoyed the first ever “Kings Bay Day” gathering at …

Last month, Legalman 2nd Class Bridget Lawrence, Legalman 2nd Class Justin Tisdale and Seaman Tomi Waters -- along with 95 other members of the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) community -- drove three hours to Asakura, Fukuoka, Japan to help clean up homes damaged by recent mudslides. Led by representatives from the CFAS religious ministries and community relations department (CFAS COMREL), these Sailors lent a helping hand to Japanese neighbors …

Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi, a judge advocate stationed at Defense Service Office Pacific, Branch Office Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was selected for the U.S. Women’s Armed Forces Soccer Team, which recently competed in the Defender’s Cup in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the first ever all-female team. Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi, a judge advocate stationed at Defense Service Office Pacific, Branch Office Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was selected for the U.S. Women’s Armed …

Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) trial office quickly reported for an unscheduled meeting wherein Legalman 2nd Class Keia Greenwood was promoted to petty officer first class by Capt. Patrick Gibbons, commanding officer of RLSO SE on Aug. 3.  Greenwood was selected for advancement under the Meritorious Advancement Program.  

A formal promotion ceremony was held at the RLSO SE headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 4.  Chief Legalman Justin …

The LATINA Style organization honored Chief Legalman Alicia R. Cooper, Naval Legal Service Command, with the LATINA Style 2017 Distinguished Meritorious Service Award at the 14th Annual National LATINA Symposium in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 15. The award recognizes women from the Department of Defense who have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organizations through their service. The LATINA Style organization honored Chief Legalman Alicia R. Cooper, Naval Legal Service Command, with the …

Raising your hand to defend a country of which you are not a citizen is truly one of the greatest sacrifices an individual can make. Since October 2001, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has naturalized over 110,000 members of the military. Raising your hand to defend a country of which you are not a citizen is truly one of the greatest sacrifices an individual can make. Since …

Lt. j.g. Joshua C. Fiveson was the action officer for a military-to-military engagement with Mexican Naval Secretariat (SEMAR) judge advocates and served as the primary liaison between SEMAR, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), and Region Legal Service Office Southwest (RLSO SW), August 21-25.  He escorted the Mexican judge advocates to and from all of their events, helped coordinate their visits to the various commands, and oversaw translation. Lt. j.g. Joshua C. …

Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, SW Asia (EURAFSWA) held its first Innovation Challenge - a call for innovative proposals to improve the delivery of legal services. held its first Innovation Challenge - a call for innovative proposals to improve the delivery of legal services.

The idea for the challenge began after Capt. Keith Gibel, commanding officer of RLSO EURAFSWA, tasked Lt. Cmdr. Caleb Christen, head of the Civil Law …