News 2018

Legalman Named COMLOG WESTPAC Senior Sailor of the Year

December 21st, 2018

SINGAPORE – 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.

As COMLOG WESTPAC staff legalman and N1 department leading petty officer, Duclayan provides legal and military justice assistance to active duty, civilians and their dependents. She also manages all aspects of administration and defense travel with a $4.8-million budget. As COMLOG WESTPAC …

Lt. Bob Liu Supports Largest Overseas Navy Hospital

December 14th, 2018

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 Status of Forces Agreement. Facing a range of issues from medical malpractice, to patient disclosures, to misconduct, the legal staff at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa (USNH Okinawa), the …

Pensacola MCRU Employee Reaches 35-Year Milestone

December 7th, 2018

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. 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 …

Southern Seas 2018 Mission

Southern Seas 2018 Mission

November 30th, 2018

U.S. Navy First Tour Judge Advocate Deploys to Central and South America aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) as Staff Judge Advocate for 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 …

VLC Program Wins Carrington Crime Victim Attorney Award

November 16th, 2018

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. 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 accepted by Ms. Charlotte Cluverius, deputy director of the VLC program, …

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

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

November 14th, 2018

‘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. ‘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.
   

GIFTS—Cash is NEVER an acceptable gift!


Personal Gifts: Anyone can accept any …

RLSO Japan Colleague Celebrates 30 Years of Service and Bar Qualification

November 9th, 2018

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. 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 …

Judge Advocates Participate in Trident Juncture 2018

November 2nd, 2018

U.S. Navy and Marine judge advocates from STRIKFORNATO, 2 U.S. Navy and Marine judge advocates from STRIKFORNATO, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 2 Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO (ESG-2), Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, PHIBRON FOUR, Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (RLSO EURAFSWA), as well as other U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commands, are taking part in the …

Legalman Earns "Spirit of Freedom" Award

October 26th, 2018

Earlier this fall, Legalman 1 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 "Spirit of Freedom" Leadership Award. Class Chardae M. Longshore – a JAG community member who currently serves in the legal department onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN …

Judge Advocate Receives Grateful Nation Award

October 19th, 2018

On Oct. 10, 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. Catherine Herridge, FOX News Chief Intelligence Correspondent, emceed the event. On Oct. 10, 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 …

Whidbey Island Legal Assistance Attorney Wins Award

October 12th, 2018

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 Association (WSBA) to receive its 2018 Family Law Section Award for Attorney of the Year. 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 …

Reserve Judge Advocate Earns WSBA Award

October 5th, 2018

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 2018 Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Government Service. WSBA President William D. Pickett presented the award to Readanz’s wife, Dianne, at the WSBA Annual APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards Dinner on Sept. 27 at …

2018 Victims’ Legal Counsel Symposium

September 25th, 2018

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.  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 attendance were 28 of 33  In addition to the …

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

September 21st, 2018

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. 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 …

Judge Advocate Wins 2018 LATINA Style Award

September 14th, 2018

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 Military Service Award. The award, which was presented at the annual National Latina Symposium, recognizes women in the military and the Department of Defense civilian workforce who, through their service, have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organization. JAG …

Navy JAG Corps Holds Change of Office Ceremony

Navy JAG Corps Holds Change of Office Ceremony

September 12th, 2018

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. John M. Richardson, Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III will retire and be relieved by Vice Adm. John G. Hannink who will become the 44th Judge Advocate General of the Navy.   Today, the Navy JAG Corps will …

Sailor Excels During PANAMAX Exercise

September 7th, 2018

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, Legalman 1st Class Ashley Alsberry, who currently is assigned to Region Legal Service Office Southeast's branch office in Fort Worth, was recognized for her outstanding work during this critical evolution. During PANAMAX 2018 -- an annual multinational exercise focused on securing …

IKE Legal Team, Here to Help

September 4th, 2018

Legalmen protect Sailors by ensuring they are aware of their rights and by exploring every legal option available in their time of need. They are specialized paralegals, who complete tasks such as working with judge advocates, assisting with non-judicial punishments and providing other legal services to Sailors.

Legalman 3rd Class Dionesha Simmons has been aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) for three months and works with Sailors in …

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

August 28th, 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 Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC, began in 1971 with just five participating countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.   The world’s largest international maritime exercise was recently completed on and …

Judge Advocate Recognized as Innovation Award Finalist

Judge Advocate Recognized as Innovation Award Finalist

August 24th, 2018

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) 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 …