News

MIT SEMINAR XXI: Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest

MIT SEMINAR XXI: Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest

February 26th, 2019

Navy JAG Corps senior officers and civilians seeking to deepen their understanding of national security and foreign relations policy are eligible to apply to be Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Navy JAG Corps senior officers and civilians seeking to deepen their understanding of national security and foreign relations policy are eligible to apply to be Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Seminar XXI Fellows at no cost to themselves or their …

Legalman Selected for JAG Corps In-Service Procurement Program

February 22nd, 2019

The Fiscal Year 2019 Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) selection board met in February to consider 15 highly qualified applicants and selected Legalman 1st Class Matthew B. Burns, Strategic Communications Wing One (SCW-1) the second legalman selectee in the program’s five-year history. The Fiscal Year 2019 Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) selection board met in February to consider 15 highly qualified applicants …

U.S. 2nd Fleet and the Era of Great Power Competition

February 21st, 2019

In early 2018, a new National Defense Strategy was released highlighting a shift in focus from regional threats to great power competition. Seeing the need to adopt this new focus, CNO announced the reestablishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet, calling it a “dynamic response to a dynamic security environment” and adding, “That’s why today, we’re standing up 2nd Fleet to address these changes, particularly in the North Atlantic.” In early 2018, …

2019 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced

2019 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced

February 15th, 2019

The The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program has announced that Lt. Ben Maddox -- a member of the Navy JAG community -- has been selected as one of the 60 Scholars chosen for the program’s fifth annual class. (PLS) program has announced that Lt. Ben Maddox -- a member of the Navy JAG community -- has been selected as one of the 60 Scholars chosen for the program’s fifth annual …

Five Years In, Navy JAG Corps In-service Procurement Program Continues to Shine

February 12th, 2019

This past month, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) hosted a commissioning ceremony for Lt. j.g. This past month, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) hosted a commissioning ceremony for Lt. j.g. Melisa Wink, welcoming her as the newest member of the RLSO NDW and Navy JAG Corps wardroom. Wink, a 2018 honors graduate of George Mason University School of Law, checked aboard …

USS John C. Stennis Hosts Rare General Court-Martial at Sea

USS John C. Stennis Hosts Rare General Court-Martial at Sea

February 8th, 2019

A rare naval tradition was observed onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the First Navy Jack was hoisted up the signal yardarm, indicating a General Court-Martial was being held at sea. A rare naval tradition was observed onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as the First Navy Jack was hoisted up the signal yardarm, indicating a General Court-Martial was being held at sea.

With all …

VITA Connects Service Members to Tax Support

VITA Connects Service Members to Tax Support

February 5th, 2019

The 2019 tax season is underway, and, once again, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is  The 2019 tax season is underway, and, once again, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is open to eligible Navy personnel, dependents, and retirees at select locations around the globe. VITA links active-duty and retired service members and their dependents, as well as deployed civilians, to free self-service tax software via  to …

Legalman 7th Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year

Legalman 7th Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year

February 1st, 2019

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Phil Sawyer announced the 2018 Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at the Chief Petty Officer’s Club in Yokosuka, Japan Jan 17th. This year’s competition featured 9 Sailors competing for the prestigious award. YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Phil Sawyer announced the 2018 Sailor of the Year during a ceremony held at the …

Tax Season: What You Need to Know

Tax Season: What You Need to Know

January 28th, 2019

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Free-File Options

What can the Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) VITA program do for me? The NLSC’s VITA program hosts self-service VITA tax centers at select Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) locations that assist 10 U.S.C. § 1044-eligible filers, including active-duty and retired Service Members, their dependents, and deployed civilians to electronically file their own taxes via The NLSC’s VITA program hosts self-service VITA …

Direct Commissioning Officer Program Selectee Blazes a New Trail

January 28th, 2019

The Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps recently welcomed its first enlisted selectee under the Direct Commissioning Officer Program (DCOP). The Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps recently welcomed its first enlisted selectee under the Direct Commissioning Officer Program (DCOP).

Blazing a trail for other enlisted Sailors, former Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Jimi Wyatt recently completed the Direct Commission Officer’s Indoctrination Course (DCIOC) and is beginning his first formal training …

2018 Legalman of the Year and Sailor of the Year

2018 Legalman of the Year and Sailor of the Year

January 25th, 2019

Legalman 1st Class Decora D. Hawkins – currently assigned to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) – was named the 2018 Legalman of the Year. Legalman 1st Class Oneka L. Stegall – currently assigned to Region Legal Service Office Japan – was named the 2018 Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Sailor of the Year. Legalman 1st Class Decora D. Hawkins – currently assigned to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) …

Judge Advocate Receives Deep Submergence Insignia

January 18th, 2019

On Dec. 27, 2018, Lt. Sharai Elko – Staff Judge Advocate, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) ELEVEN – earned the Deep Submergence Insignia qualification – a special distinction not often awarded to Navy judge advocates. On Dec. 27, 2018, Lt. Sharai Elko – Staff Judge Advocate, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) ELEVEN – earned the Deep Submergence Insignia qualification – a special distinction not often awarded to Navy judge advocates.

As Staff Judge Advocate, Elko …

JAG Community Members Build Relationships in Key West

January 11th, 2019

In late November, Legalman 1st Class Dameon Smith and Lt. John Wilson, from the Naval Air Station Key West staff judge advocate office, proactively arranged a tour of the Coast Guard station in Key West, Fla. to strengthen working relationships. Their guide, Chief Boatswain's Mate Adrian Hunt, provided a first-class tour of the station. He offered an in-depth explanation of the Coast Guard, the local practices and mission, and the station's facilities and capabilities. In late …

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 …