Please join us in congratulating Legalman 1st Class (SW) Na'eem Phillips on his selection as the 2012 Judge Advocate General Legalman of the Year, and Legalman 1st Class (SCW) Dana Martinez on her selection as the 2012 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year. These two outstanding Sailors were chosen from a pool of incredibly talented nominees.

Phillips became a legalman in 2000 and is currently assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 7. As the command legalman, Phillips responded to legal issues from 10 forward-deployed subordinate units and provided expert legal support to six legal officers, two independent duty legalmen, and two legal clerks.  Phillips was responsible for the flawless processing of 24 administrative separations, 3 5 non-judicial punishment appeals, 21 investigations, and over 500 pieces of legal correspondence. He spearheaded the command mentoring program and ensured all E-6 and below personnel were assigned mentors. He personally mentored three Sailors, resulting in their selection as Bluejacket of the Quarter, Junior Sailor of the Quarter, and a nomination for Bluejacket of the Year. A leader among his peers, Phillips served as the President of the First Class Petty Officer Association, and his fundraising efforts provided over $7,000 for morale-building events and other causes such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

Martinez became a legalman in 2001 and is currently assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW). As a command leading petty officer, Martinez consistently performed her demanding duties with professional competence and ingenuity while leading a team of 18 Sailors. Her extensive knowledge of military justice helped garner superior results in the prosecution of 27 general courts-martial (GCMs) and 24 special courts-martial (SPCMs). She served as Court Reporter for three GCMs, four SPCMs, five Article 32 hearings, and 10 Article 39(a) sessions. She oversaw the largest department at RLSO NW and was instrumental in the Military Justice Department’s outstanding performance during the command's recent Article 6 inspection.  She is actively pursuing her Masters of Business Administration degree from Columbia Southern University.  

Bravo Zulu to the other outstanding finalists: Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Nadia Johnson, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Steven Fuller, USS Peleliu (LHA 5); Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Scott Lorenson, Region Legal Service Office Southeast, Detachment New Orleans; and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Jose Macumba, Defense Service Office North, Detachment Naples. Congratulations to all of the Sailors nominated for recognition this year, and thank you to all of the legalmen and Sailors who support the worldwide JAG Corps community and the United States Navy each and every day!