Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

NORFOLK, Va.  – Imagine, while deployed in the Middle East, you receive an excited call from your daughter. She asks for permission to play soccer this year and says her coach is sure she’s going to be a star player. She seems to be bursting at the seams with enthusiasm; you reply “Absolutely, let’s get you signed up!”

Shortly after that conversation, you receive another call. Now in tears, your …

The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) provides deliberate, experiential learning opportunities for future leaders. The program is designed for high-potential individuals who have an understanding and appreciation for DoD’s global mission. One of the 2021 ELDP selectees – Navy judge advocate Lt. Ashley Belyea – certainly meets those criteria.

Belyea commissioned in September 2014 and currently is assigned to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) community’s Administrative …

“My reaction to the promotion message was very surprised,” added Johnson. “Have you seen the caliber of judge advocates on the list? My colleagues are so impressive; it’s really humbling to be among their ranks. However, the O-4 board met on the date my daughter was born, so I imagine there was just some good luck on my side.”

Johnson was born and raised in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; however, her …

Lt. j.g. Thaddeus H. Tate, Jr. enlisted as a naval intelligence analyst in 2009, and, since then, he has been chasing his career goals at full speed. Now a member of the Navy JAG Corps, Tate was selected in 2018 for the In-Service Procurement Program (IPP). He is now attending Officer Development School, and he will begin his first tour as a judge advocate at Region Legal Service Office, Naval …

Earlier this year, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Eaton – a JAG community member currently serving as staff judge advocate at Carrier Strike Group FIFTEEN – was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Leo Gross Prize in International Law.

Originally from Southern California, Eaton received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Point Loma University in 2004, a Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2008, and a …

The Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) community – in collaboration with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) – is expanding legal assistance and special education support to families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). The Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) community – in collaboration with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) – is expanding legal assistance and special education support to families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). …

When nominations were being accepted for the Outstanding Navy Legal Professional Award for the Pacific Northwest, there was no hesitation from Naval Hospital Bremerton.

The submission was prescient.

Ms. Marquita Hooks, paralegal specialist in the command’s Judge Advocate office was selected as the award recipient for her outstanding achievement, performance of duty, leadership, special accomplishment and significant public or community service.

“I have been in a daze ever since my …

After a three-year hiatus, the Naval Justice School has published a new volume of the Naval Law Review, a scholarly journal for military and civilian practitioners, as well as academia, who work in and study all aspects of the military’s legal practice.

The newly released Volume 66 explores topics ranging from the legality of mercy killings on the battlefield and applicability of U.S. v. Ramos to military courts-martial, to …

Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a virtual change of command ceremony in San Diego, California, on August 6, 2020. COVID-19 restrictions limited in-person attendance to ceremony staff and key personnel. DSO West command members, family, and friends were invited to witness the ceremony via live stream.

Rear Adm. Darse E. Crandall, Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in …

Lt. Cmdr. Adam Smith – a JAG community member currently serving as deputy force judge advocate at Commander, Navy Installations Command – co-authored a chapter in the international law treatise, “Securitising Asylum Flows: Deflection, Criminalisation and Challenges for Human Rights,” which was published in May.

Smith’s chapter – which was titled, “Balancing the SAR responsibilities of States and Shipmasters” – addresses the responsibilities of states and shipmasters to render assistance at …

Baltic Sea Operation (BALTOPS) is the largest annual exercise series in the Baltic Sea. Its purpose is to improve training for participants, enhance flexibility and interoperability, and demonstrate resolve among Allied and Partner Forces in defending the Baltic Sea region. First established in 1972, BALTOPS20 was the 49th iteration, taking place June 7-16. NATO Allies participated in live training events including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, and mine countermeasure …

Chief Legalman Daniela Briceno – a valued and experienced member of the Navy JAG community – recently graduated from the military’s Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) with high honors. The SEA is a 10-week leadership development program for active and Reserve enlisted personnel from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard, as well as from international service partners. SEA instruction is focused on management, leadership, …

Capt. Christopher Greer – a seasoned judge advocate with extensive international and national security law experience – currently serves as the staff judge advocate for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). He calls his post at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) – the only enduring U.S. military location on the African continent – one of his most challenging and rewarding assignments. He, alongside a top-notch team of legal professionals, …

Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) held the JAG Corps’ first virtual change of command ceremony at the Bremerton Courtroom aboard Naval Base Kitsap, WA, on 19 June. Capt. Warren Record relieved Capt. Chuck LeMoyne as Commanding Officer of RLSO NW.

COVID-19 restrictions limited in person attendance to ceremony staff and key personnel. RLSO NW command members, family, and friends were invited to witness the ceremony via livestream.

“This …

This first decade of Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Fralick’s Navy JAG Corps career was diverse and accomplished, and it prepared him well for his current assignment at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Fralick graduated from the JAG Corps Basic Lawyer Course in 2009, and he subsequently reported to Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Southwest as Trial Counsel. In 2011, he completed an Individual Augmentee assignment to Afghanistan as part of the …

Earlier this year, Lt. Cmdr. Catherine T. (Katie) McMahon – a member of the Navy JAG community – was named a 2020 Young Alumni/Alumnae of Excellence Award recipient by her alma mater, the University of Georgia (UGA) Law School.

McMahon – who currently serves in Rota, Spain as a victims' legal counsel (VLC) representing victims of sexual assault – was recognized for her commitment and dedication to both her country …

On May 13, during a virtual ceremony, Navy JAG community member Cmdr. Craig Thedwall, who currently serves as the Navy Region Northwest environmental counsel, was presented the Richard W. Eddy Environmental Achievement Award.

Twenty years ago, the “Eddy Award” was established to recognize outstanding performance and invaluable assistance in support of the Naval Litigation Office (NLO) during environmental litigation. Mr. Eddy served as the assistant director of the NLO from …

No two days are the same for Lt. Timothy Garcia, who leads the bustling Region Legal Service Office Southwest branch office located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev.

In fact, Garcia’s role as branch head is just one of many responsibilities he juggles. Supporting the personnel who populate the “Supercarrier in the Desert” can be unpredictable and challenging, but it is never dull and always rewarding.

Despite its remote …

Every year, the American Bar Association (ABA) recognizes an exemplary practitioner, as well as a legal team, with the prestigious Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) Distinguished Service Awards. In March, the ABA Standing Committee announced the 2019 recipients: Lt. Rosemarie Lombardi from the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Southeast Branch Office in New Orleans, La., received the individual award; and the RLSO Southwest Legal Assistance Department received the group …

Lt. Cmdr. Jarrod Franks earned his first post-graduate degree in 2009 and hit the ground running. His subsequent professional accomplishments caught the eye of leadership at his alma mater, Arizona State
University (ASU), and he recently was selected in 2020 to receive the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s Recent Alumni Achievement Award.

The Recent Alumni Achievement Award recognizes alumni of the law school who have graduated within the past …