News 2024

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Princeton native serves with U.S. Navy in Guam

May 9th, 2024

U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM - Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Metropoulos, a native of Princeton, Illinois, is serving in the U.S. Navy at Commander, Joint Region Marianas on the island of Guam.

Metropoulos graduated from Belvidere High School in 2006.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Princeton.

“My father instilled in me from a young age that a man is …

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RLSO Southeast hosts 2024 Southeast JAG Corps Training Symposium

May 8th, 2024

More than 70 Navy staff judge advocates, legalmen, and civilian legal professionals gathered at Naval Air Station Pensacola, April 23 to 25, for the 2024 Southeast JAG Corps Training Symposium. Attendees represented all 13 Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO Southeast) locations, as well as the Victims’ Legal Counsel Program, Defense Service Office, and independent commands and offices across the southeast region.

The symposium, a culmination of months of dedicated …

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Team Rota: Luis Martin Mesa

April 22nd, 2024

Luis Martin Mesa is a Spanish attorney for the installation assisting U.S. service members, civilian employees, retirees, and dependents on legal matters during their time in Spain. He also provides legal counsel on Spanish issues to NAVSTA Rota and tenant commands.

From his office within the Legal Assistance Office (Bldg. 3293), he describes his daily duties as, “anything related to Spanish laws” except labor law and administrative/contracting law which is …

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Navy Judge Advocate General Visits NMCSD

April 11th, 2024

On April 10, Navy Judge Advocate General Vice Adm. Darse E. "Del" Crandall Jr., visited the combined Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Navy legal staff at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) to express his appreciation for their collective efforts and the legal services they provide.

Crandall is the 45th Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) and serves as the principal military legal counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and …

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2023 Service Members of the Year

March 21st, 2024

Washington, D.C. – Navy Legalman 1st Class Ebony Steward – who is assigned to Carrier Strike Group Eight – has been named the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) 2023 Service Member of the Year. Navy Legalman 1st Class Ronald Forster – who is assigned to Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific – is the Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) 2023 Service Member of the Year.

The awardees were recognized during a March …

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International Lawyers Bring the Legal Finish to Cutlass Express 2024

March 13th, 2024

Maritime law is a critical training component in exercise Cutlass Express 2024. Given that exercise scenarios take place in territorial and international waters (and can cross multiple jurisdictions), maritime laws help establish consistency and create a standard for countries when boarding a vessel or taking action during operations at sea. Training on these laws, then, increases understanding and effectiveness of nations across Africa’s East Coast.

Six military and civilian legal …

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Vinson’s Legalman: They Converted and You Can Too

January 24th, 2024

[PACIFIC OCEAN] – Down the starboard mess deck passageway of USS Carl Vinson, inside a small office, a team of Legalman (LN) leaf through pale sheets of paper and type on their computers. They work tirelessly to help Sailors with their legal affairs, prepare correspondence, write transcripts, and so much more.

None of these Sailors started their career as a Legalman, though. Every Legalman aboard Vinson was previously an undesignated …

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Legalman celebrates rating, reflects on service

January 24th, 2024

As the U.S. Navy celebrates the 52nd anniversary of the Legalman (LN) rating, we take a look at one LN at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) who cherishes the role he plays in helping ensure the command's legal duties are carried out.

"Coming from a family comprised of lawyers who served in both the public and private sector, I have always had a calling to pursue a legal career," …