The 2017 Navy Reserve Law Program (RLP) Commanding Officer, Reserve Component Command (RCC) Staff Judge Advocate and Senior Leadership Training Symposium took place Jan. 27-29 in Newport, R.I.
 

The annual learning event convened the heads of the RLP’s three lines of operation, RCC staff judge advocates, 29 commanding officers, senior enlisted leaders and other senior leaders from around the globe. The RLP’s lines of operation are military justice; command services and legal assistance; and operational law. The goal of the symposium was for JAG community Reservists to engage in professional development and networking opportunities. It also was a forum for interactive strategic planning to support the execution of RLP’s mission in accordance with the CNO's Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority and the JAG 2025 guidance.

The event’s jam-packed agenda included program updates as well as sessions focused on ethical leadership, inclusion and diversity, the health of the RLP force, and other pressing matters facing Reserve members. Rear Adm. Carol M. Lynch, the Deputy Judge Advocate General (Reserve Affairs and Operations) and Deputy Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, led the symposium. During her opening remarks on Jan. 27, she encouraged attendees to keep learning, growing and innovating.

“This training is about us looking forward – building on the success of the past and focusing on where we go from here,” said Lynch. “I am confident we have the right people in the right places… we now need to continue to focus on high-velocity learning.”

In the planning sessions, senior leadership focused on ensuring accountability to measure our actions and legal advice, and on creative means to use knowledge management to apply, as Lynch said, “the best concepts, techniques and technologies to accelerate learning, and to foster knowledge sharing.” Doing so will ensure the RLP provides the highest quality of legal services to individuals and organizations, regardless of whether they are in fleet concentration areas or remote locations, Lynch explained.

On Jan. 28 – the second day of the symposium – the Gilbert Cup was awarded to the nation’s best RLP unit. Lynch – alongside Capt. Barry Blankfield, a member of the Reserve awards board, and Rear Adm. John Hannink, Deputy Judge Advocate General, who joined the ceremony remotely from Washington, D.C. – presented the 2016 cup and plaque to the Navy Reserve Naval Justice School. ]​The cup was accepted by the unit’s previous commanding officer, Capt. Christian Fleming, who oversaw much advancement within the unit during his tenure. The unit’s current commanding officer is Capt. Luis Leme.

The Reserve JAG community currently has more than 540 officers and enlisted personnel providing support in the fields of military justice, legal assistance and command services, international and operational law, cyber, admiralty, environmental and other specialized areas. They serve throughout the U.S. and abroad.