Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

Lt. John O. Wilson joined law enforcement partners in Key West to conduct a maritime sweep of the restricted waters off Naval Air Station Key West (NASKW).

After assuming duties in August 2018, Wilson successfully stood up the long-awaited Magistrate Program in Key West.  Wilsons' efforts built on seven years of hard work and dedication from the three previous staff judge advocates who preceded him. This program allows Naval Security …

Cmdr. Bradley Parker, Office of the Judge Advocate General, and Lt. Derek Kandt, Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (RLSO EURAFSWA), attended the 2019 Oxford Course for Military and Government Lawyers. Cmdr. Bradley Parker, Office of the Judge Advocate General, and Lt. Derek Kandt, Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (RLSO EURAFSWA), attended the 2019 Oxford Course for Military and Government Lawyers.

This marks …

Cmdr. Brian Whitaker, a judge advocate assigned to Navy Reserve Commander Navy Europe-Navy Africa-Sixth Fleet, joined with sailors and marines from around the world in Pemba, Mozambique in support of exercise Cutlass Express 2019, Jan. 28-Feb 6. Cmdr. Brian Whitaker, a judge advocate assigned to Navy Reserve Commander Navy Europe-Navy Africa-Sixth Fleet, joined with sailors and marines from around the world in Pemba, Mozambique in support of exercise Cutlass Express …

Last month, Lt. Amanda Serfess – trial counsel at Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington – trained local JAG community and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) personnel. During two lively learning events, she spoke in-depth about changes brought about by the Military Justice Act of 2016 (MJA 16). Last month, Lt. Amanda Serfess – trial counsel at Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington – trained local JAG community …

The team from Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) EURAFSWA Detachment Bahrain toured the USS Gladiator (MCM 11), one of four Mine Countermeasures ships home-ported in Bahrain. It was the first time the office had coordinated such a tour in at least four years, if not ever. The team from Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) EURAFSWA Detachment Bahrain toured the USS Gladiator (MCM 11), one of four Mine Countermeasures ships home-ported …

 Last summer, the legal department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) became the ship’s only all-female department.Last summer, the legal department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) became the ship’s only all-female department.

While all-female workplaces are increasingly common today, they are still the exception on Navy ships. The eight-person legal department aboard IKE has set the standard, which …

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic’s (RLSO MIDLANT) recruiting team hosted another successful “A Day in the Life of a U.S. Navy JAG” event, welcoming 33 prospective judge advocates – including law students, licensed attorneys, naval officers, and enlisted sailors – to their command on Feb. 4. Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic’s (RLSO MIDLANT) recruiting team hosted another successful “A Day in the Life of a U.S. Navy JAG” event, welcoming …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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) …

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 …

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 …