Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

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 …

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 …

[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 …

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," …

Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) – a vital component of the Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps that provides essential legal services to the Fleet, Sailors, and their families – marked its 50th anniversary on Dec. 3, 2023.

Naval Legal Service – presently known as NLSC – was founded in 1973. In October of that year, the Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable John Warner, approved a plan to realign …

Being selected for the In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) was a tremendous honor, and to this day I don’t take the opportunity for granted. I had an extremely supportive network of leaders, friends, and family throughout the entire process, to all of whom I am extremely grateful.

The first semester of law school has been a whirlwind, but it’s been a really amazing experience so far, and I’m looking forward for …

Commander, Naval Legal Service Command Rear Adm. David G. Wilson took part in the Training Group 43 naturalization ceremony hosted at Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Ill., on Oct. 5, 2023. The ceremony naturalized 93 military personnel from 30 countries spanning five continents.

Also in attendance were The Honorable Michael Scudder – circuit judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit – Adm. Daryl Caudle …

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Navy Victims’ Legal Counsel Program (VLCP) founding during a ceremony aboard the Washington Navy Yard on Sept. 29. VLCP – which provides legal services to survivors of sexual offenses or domestic violence – was first established during the summer of 2013.

“Throughout the past decade, VLCP has been at the forefront of victim advocacy, …

For a victim of sexual assault, finding someone to trust and guide them through the complex maze of medical, legal, and administrative systems can be overwhelming. This is where the Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) can help take some of the burden by advising and advocating for the victim.

“As the VLC, we understand the processes, and by talking with the client and understanding their end goal, we know the pathway …

Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) held a change of command ceremony on August 11 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center aboard Naval Air Station Mayport.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Tanya M. Cruz was relieved by Capt. Katherine S. Pasieta as Commanding Officer of RLSO SE.

During the ceremony, Cruz thanked her Sailors for a rewarding …

Wednesday, August 2, 2023, was a day for celebration and congratulations. In partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seattle Field Office, Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) hosted the 2023 Seattle Seafair Fleet Week naturalization ceremony in the shadow of the USCG Cutter Henry Blake (WLM 563). Seafair has occurred on the Seattle waterfront since 1950 to celebrate our nation’s armed forces.

In front of family, …

Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony at Murphy Canyon Chapel in San Diego, California, on August 3, 2023. DSO West command members, family, and friends were invited to witness the ceremony.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Hayes C. Larsen relieved Capt. Ryan J. Stormer as Commanding Officer of DSO West.

Wilson congratulated Stormer …

Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific held a change of command ceremony on 10 July aboard U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander of Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Matthew J. Sklerov relieved Capt. Gregory W. Saybolt as commanding officer of DSO Pacific. Wilson congratulated Saybolt on an extremely successful tour and commented on the overwhelmingly positive feedback he received from …

Lt. Phil Jones, staff judge advocate for Naval Air Station Jacksonville hit the mark at the 2023 Atlantic Fleet All Navy Rifle and Pistol Championships where he earned a bronze Fleet Rifleman badge and SECNAV Trophy Rifle award by finishing in the top 10% at the Atlantic Fleet rifle match. Additionally, he won the title of “Top New Shooter” for both rifle and pistol.

Although his primary weapon is the …

Legalman 2nd Class Thomas E. Tebbs II, USN a paralegal at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), proudly showed his skills in a court of an entirely different kind. Legalman 2nd Class Thomas E. Tebbs II, USN a paralegal at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), proudly showed his skills in a court of an entirely different kind.

Hand-selected as a shooting guard for the All-Navy Men’s Basketball …

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) most valuable assets are its warfighters and their families. Consequently, the DOD has taken steps to ensure that military families are given the support that they need in order to accomplish the mission. One of the DOD’s most important programs for achieving this goal is the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Originally started by the U.S. Army in 1979, the EFMP serves military families with …

The holiday stand-down period is a welcome respite for Sailors to get away from the stress of deployments, duty sections, and qualifications. But while many are taking a much needed rest and relaxation from protecting their nation, they themselves remain vulnerable to the ever-present risk of identity theft. Here are some tips to prevent a Grinch from ruining your Christmas.   The holiday stand-down period is a welcome respite for …

Mogadishu, Somalia  –   Navy judge advocate Lt. Josh Root from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently completed a training mission to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of counter terrorism operations against the Al Shabaab militant group.   Navy judge advocate Lt. Josh Root from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently completed a training mission to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of counter terrorism operations against the Al …

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –   Rear Adm. Mark R. Myers relieved Rear Adm. Les Reardanz as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations, and deputy commander of Naval Legal Service Command, at a change of office and retirement ceremony onboard the Washington Navy Yard on Oct. 14. Rear Adm. Mark R. Myers relieved Rear Adm. Les Reardanz as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy …

MAYPORT, Fla.  –   In late August, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) hosted a three-day training symposium for the first time since 2019.  The learning event was a critical opportunity for judge advocates, Legalmen, and civilian employees spanning a large area of responsibility to reconnect and – as Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday has urged –  In late August, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) hosted …