Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy, and Master Chief Jondell Ritchie, Command Master Chief for Naval Legal Service Command, visited with JAG community personnel at three installations within Navy Region Southeast -- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 4-6, 2017. Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, Judge Advocate General (JAG) of …

“If you’re going to do something, give it your full effort or don’t do it at all.”  “If you’re going to do something, give it your full effort or don’t do it at all.” 

A lesson Kristen Childers learned early on and that has stuck with her, in everything she does. Childers credits her mother with instilling in her the value of a good work ethic, punctuality, and accountability. Kristen Childers has been an administrative officer for A …

The Navy’s annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has officially launched. In anticipation of the kick-off of tax season Jan. 29, VITA tax centers fleet wide are opening their doors. VITA is a free self-service program available to active-duty and retired service members and their dependents, as well as deployed Department of Defense civilians. The Navy’s annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has officially launched. In anticipation of …

When does tax season start and end?
   Persons residing within the United States: The tax season begins Jan. 29. For resident aliens and U.S. citizens residing within the United States, the filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, rather than the traditional April 15 date. Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day on that Monday, which pushes the deadline to the next day for most …

In December, members of the Yokosuka JAG community -- through their participation in the Japanese Community Legal Association (JCLA) -- continued an annual holiday tradition of supporting Kaifu Gakuen, an assisted living facility and school for disabled Japanese adults in the Yokosuka area. In December, members of the Yokosuka JAG community -- through their participation in the Japanese Community Legal Association (JCLA) -- continued an annual holiday tradition of supporting …

Permanent-party judge advocates are assigned to support Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ("NSGB") for 18-to-30 month tours.  Navy and Marine Corps judge advocates who do so trace a history of over a half-century of supporting the mission of NSGB.

Located 400 air miles from Miami, Fla., NSGB is the United States' oldest overseas military installation (established in 1903) and the only one in a communist country.  Per the United States' …

November, Master Chief Legalman Jondell Ritchie, the command master chief (CMC) of Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC), and I took part in a whirlwind trip to Navy Region EURAFSWA. Though we were unable to visit all of the hard-working personnel stationed in this expansive region, we did stop in three key locations – Bahrain, Sigonella and London. November, Master Chief Legalman Jondell Ritchie, the command master chief (CMC) of Naval …

In celebration of the 46th anniversary of the Legalman rating, the following news article -- released by the Navy Office of Community Outreach and highlighting the contributions of Legalman 2nd Class Nikki Millican -- was selected as this week's #BZFriday blog post. Bravo Zulu, LN2 -- keep up the great work!

Moultrie, Ga., native and Colquitt County High School graduate, Petty Officer 2nd Class Nikki Millican is serving on one …

"It’s super intense. The room is thick. You can hear yourself breathing,” said Legalman 1st Class Diamond Harris as she describes the atmosphere of the Sailor of the Year board process on board the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). "It’s super intense. The room is thick. You can hear yourself breathing,” said Legalman 1st Class Diamond Harris as she describes the atmosphere of the Sailor of the Year …

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 …