News

Service to School

January 19th, 2016

Lt. j.g. Joshua Fiveson spends his free time helping lead Service to School, a non-profit that provides free, peer-to-peer admissions counseling to active, inactive, and retired U.S. military service members. As one of the organization’s directors, Fiveson recently planned and led the group's national “Admission Accomplished” conference in Washington, D.C., which featured retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, as a keynote speaker.

Drawing attendees from across the nation, the event hosted top universities …

RLSO MIDLANT Hosts Retiree Will Workshop

January 12th, 2016

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic (RLSO MIDLANT) hosted a will workshop for local area retirees on December 4, 2015.  During this event, RLSO MIDLANT attorneys conducted estate planning intakes for 53 retirees and their spouses.  Two weeks later, RLSO MIDLANT attorneys and staff executed over 50 sets of estate planning documents for these retirees just in time for the holiday season.

RLSO MIDLANT understands the challenges that retirees …

Basketball Tournament Brings Toys for Tots

January 5th, 2016

Each of the four teams in the basketball tournament wanted to win, but they all agreed that the day was about the kids.  Everyone at the gym could see it in the boxes of toys piled in the court’s corner.

“We’re excited about how much support we’ve gotten, and we hope this grows even bigger next year,” said Marine Corps Col. Daniel Lecce, assistant judge advocate general for military law. …

Navy JAG Corps Continues to Build A Diverse and Highly Qualified Team

December 8th, 2015

Recruiting the right team is the foundation of a successful future for our Corps. Building a JAG Corps that is rich in integrity, quality, and diversity is only possible through sustained involvement with law students and leaders in the legal community. Your superb efforts make the Navy JAG Corps an employer of choice, as evidenced by the results of the most recent accession selection board.

This board professionally recommended 48 …

NLSC Junior Officer of the Quarter and Sailor of the Quarter

December 8th, 2015

It is my distinct pleasure to recognize outstanding judge advocates and Legalmen for professional excellence and dedication to service. The following individuals have been selected as the Naval Legal Service Command Junior Officer of the Quarter and Sailor of the Quarter for the period of July through September 2015:

Junior Officer of the Quarter: Congratulations to Lt. Kate E. Tanner, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Northwest, Bremerton, Washington. During …

Impacting Diversity with Tradition

November 5th, 2015

In 2009, Lt. Tashinda Glover organized a breakfast at Spelman College to kick-off the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead's tour of Spelman and Morehouse Colleges.

During my short time in the U.S. Navy, I have come to know that tradition is essential to our organization. When I think of organizations that value tradition as much as the Navy, I think of Spelman College, my alma mater. This historically …

Tuskegee Airman Visits Naval Justice School

November 3rd, 2015

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Enoch Woodhouse II, a Tuskegee airman, visited the Naval Justice School (NJS), Oct. 21, and spoke about his personal experiences of segregation during World War II.

Woodhouse spoke to 200 enlisted and officer students and faculty. In attendance were Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, the 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy; and Capt. Shannon Kopplin, commanding officer of Naval …

Why US FON Operations in the South China Sea Make Sense

November 2nd, 2015

The U.S. Navy’s Freedom of Navigation Program is an important expression of international law.

By Cmdr. Jonathan G. Odom The U.S. Freedom of Navigation (FON) Program has recently drawn significant attention in the United States and the international community. During this period of focused attention, some observers have questioned the legality of U.S. FONOPs. This author has previously outlined the legality and legitimacy of the U.S. FON Program, including FONOPs …

Sailors Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

October 22nd, 2015

SANTA RITA, Guam (Sept. 30, 2015) - The heritage committee onboard the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) held a celebration for Hispanic heritage month on the ship’s mess decks, Sept. 30.

During the event members of the heritage committee, as well as Sailors of Hispanic descent, spoke about Hispanics throughout history that have made important contributions to our nation.

"The turn out for the event we hosted …

How China Shot Down Its Own A2/AD Lawfare Strategy

How China Shot Down Its Own A2/AD Lawfare Strategy

October 15th, 2015

Last month, President Obama made political history by becoming the first U.S. president to visit the Arctic, where he discussed American interests in that region and the need for nations around the world to collectively address the challenges of climate change.  During that same week, another momentous event of a different sort occurred nearby:  five warships from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) transited through U.S. territorial seas off the …

Legalman promoted to honorary chief petty officer at NSW pinning ceremony

October 14th, 2015

SAN DIEGO - Aundra Howard sat in the first of 12 long rows of folding chairs, his Navy uniform meticulously pressed, family members sitting on his left and right. Among the hundreds of Sailors and family members filling the Naval Special Warfare Special Boat Team 12 Combat Craft Maintenance Facility building at Naval Air Station North Island, Howard was inconspicuous: a tall, young man who outwardly appeared not unlike many …

SEAFAIR 2015 – A ceremony at sea, welcoming immigrants who serve

October 9th, 2015

“Welcome,” “welcome,” was a greeting repeated again and again on July 29, 2015 to the eight newly naturalized service members aboard the USS Boxer (LHD-4).  Welcome, our brothers and sisters in arms, now brothers and sisters in earnest.  Welcome you, who became Soldiers and Sailors in a time of war, fighting for a country that was not yet your own.

This would be a day that these service members, and …

Lt. Cmdr. Hunter M. Abell Receives WSBA Courageous Award

October 1st, 2015

U.S. Navy officer honored for serving overseas and promoting international relationships

SEATTLE, WA [Sept. 23, 2015] — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) presented Seattle attorney Lieutenant Commander Hunter M. Abell with its 2015 Courageous Award. The award is in recognition of his overseas service in support of global counterterrorism efforts and his domestic work to foster relations between military attorneys from the U.S. and Canada. WSBA President Anthony Gipe …

DSO West Holds Change of Command

September 24th, 2015

Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California, on September 18, 2015. Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California, on September 18, 2015.

Rear Adm. John G. Hannink, Commander of Naval Legal Service Command as well as Deputy Judge Advocate General, presided over the ceremony …

Judge Advocate Receives Two National level Diversity Awards

September 22nd, 2015

Lt. Cmdr. Erika Gehlen,  Lt. Cmdr. Erika Gehlen, JAG Corps Accessions Detailer, received meritorious service awards for her military service from two, national level diversity organizations.

The National Organization of Mexican American Rights (NOMAR) honored Gehlen with the NOMAR DoD Meritorious Service Award as a Hispanic American military member who epitomizes the qualities and core values of the Navy while displaying exceptional support for betterment of the Hispanic community in …

American Bar Association Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award

August 26th, 2015

Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III and Lt. Cmdr. Billy Holt, with fellow Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award recipients.

[caption id="attachment_14324" align="aligncenter" width="600"][caption id="attachment_14324" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Recipients of the American Bar Association Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award at the annual meeting on July 31, 2015. This award recognizes the legal contributions of one young judge advocate from each uniformed service. Navy Recipient: Lt. Cmdr. Billy Holt, professional development officer, Region Legal Service Office Southeast. Recipients of the American Bar Association Outstanding Young Military Lawyer Award at the annual meeting on July 31, 2015. This award recognizes the legal contributions of one young judge advocate from each uniformed service. Navy Recipient: Lt. Cmdr. Billy Holt, professional development officer, Region …

Region Legal Service Office Northwest Receives Distinguished Service Award

August 18th, 2015

Silverdale, Wash – The American Bar Association has announced the Region Legal Service Office Northwest was recognized for exceptional performance in the area of legal assistance and was awarded the 2014 Distinguished Service Award. Silverdale, Wash – The American Bar Association has announced the Region Legal Service Office Northwest was recognized for exceptional performance in the area of legal assistance and was awarded the 2014 Distinguished Service Award.

Each year …

RLSO NDW Holds Change of Command

August 11th, 2015

Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) held a change of command ceremony at its courtroom spaces aboard the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia on July 10, 2015. Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW) held a change of command ceremony at its courtroom spaces aboard the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia on July 10, 2015.

Rear Adm. (select) Del Crandall, chief of staff, …

RLSO Midwest Holds Change of Command

August 7th, 2015

Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Midwest held a change of command in the RLSO Midwest courtroom aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., July 8, 2015. Rear Adm. John Hannink, judge advocate general of the Navy and commander of Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Gregory Bart relieved Capt. Terrence Costelloas commanding officer of RLSO Midwest. During the ceremony, Hannink praised Costello’s leadership and accomplishments while …

Navy Judge Advocates Speak to Interns About Careers

August 4th, 2015

Now that summer is here, Navy JAG Corps interns have come to the National Capital Region (NCR) to participate in a range of Navy activities, and to learn about a future career in the naval service. At a panel discussion aboard the Washington Navy Yard, attorneys from the Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG), Military Personnel (Code 61), the Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington (RLSO NDW), as …

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