Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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

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, …

‘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 …

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 …

U.S. Navy and Marine judge advocates from STRIKFORNATO, 2 U.S. Navy and Marine judge advocates from STRIKFORNATO, 2^nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 2 Marine Expeditionary Force, 2^nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO (ESG-2), Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, PHIBRON FOUR, Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (RLSO EURAFSWA), as well as other U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commands, are taking part in the …

Earlier this fall, Legalman 1 Earlier this fall, Legalman 1^st Class Chardae M. Longshore – a JAG community member who currently serves in the legal department onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) – was selected to be a recipient of the "Spirit of Freedom" Leadership Award. Class Chardae M. Longshore – a JAG community member who currently serves in the legal department onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN …

On Oct. 10, the Jewish Institute of National Security of America (JINSA) hosted a dinner in Washington, D.C. where JAG community member Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Romelhardt was presented with a Grateful Nation Award. Catherine Herridge, FOX News Chief Intelligence Correspondent, emceed the event. On Oct. 10, the Jewish Institute of National Security of America (JINSA) hosted a dinner in Washington, D.C. where JAG community member Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Romelhardt was …

Ms. Cecilia Welch, the civilian legal assistance attorney and subject matter expert at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Whidbey Island, was recently selected by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) to receive its 2018 Family Law Section Award for Attorney of the Year. Ms. Cecilia Welch, the civilian legal assistance attorney and subject matter expert at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Whidbey Island, was recently selected …

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) named Capt. Les Reardanz – a highly respected member of the Navy Reserve Law Program and a valued colleague in the Navy JAG community – winner of the prestigious APEX 2018 Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Government Service. WSBA President William D. Pickett presented the award to Readanz’s wife, Dianne, at the WSBA Annual APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards Dinner on Sept. 27 at …