Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

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 …

Legalman 1st Class Evelin Garcia, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW), was selected as the naval active-duty recipient of the 2017 National Image Inc., Meritorious Service Award. The award was presented at the 2017 National Image Training Program in September in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Legalman 1st Class Evelin Garcia, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW), was selected as the naval active-duty recipient of the 2017 National …

Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) personnel enjoyed the first ever “Kings Bay Day” gathering at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (NSB Kings Bay) to learn about base-wide operations, ballistic nuclear submarines, and the assistance provided by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in furtherance of the mission on July 21, 2017. Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) personnel enjoyed the first ever “Kings Bay Day” gathering at …

Last month, Legalman 2nd Class Bridget Lawrence, Legalman 2nd Class Justin Tisdale and Seaman Tomi Waters -- along with 95 other members of the Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) community -- drove three hours to Asakura, Fukuoka, Japan to help clean up homes damaged by recent mudslides. Led by representatives from the CFAS religious ministries and community relations department (CFAS COMREL), these Sailors lent a helping hand to Japanese neighbors …

Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi, a judge advocate stationed at Defense Service Office Pacific, Branch Office Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was selected for the U.S. Women’s Armed Forces Soccer Team, which recently competed in the Defender’s Cup in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the first ever all-female team. Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi, a judge advocate stationed at Defense Service Office Pacific, Branch Office Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was selected for the U.S. Women’s Armed …