Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

In November 2020, the Navy published an update to its Fraternization Policy. The new instruction, OPNAVINST 5370.2E, provides updated reporting procedures for instances of fraternization, as well as a more robust discussion section to help members navigate a determination of what relationships might violate the policy. This article is meant to offer a synopsis of the newly published instruction – a lawful general order – and to clarify what responsibilities …

Navigating post-nonjudicial punishment (NJP) actions is understandably confusing. It is important to handle modifications to punishment correctly at the command level to ensure compliance with servicemembers’ due process rights. Keep in mind that, for many actions, a command must have an articulated reason for changing the punishment, such as a demonstrated conduct improvement or a determination that the punishment resulted in clear injustice. If a valid reason exists, there are …

During an All Hands call, Capt. Rock De Tolve, acting Assistant Judge Advocate General for Civil Law, presented awards for individual achievement and commended the Office of the Judge Advocate General's Legal Assistance Division (Code 16) team for its extraordinary mission impact during 2020, at the Washington Navy Yard.   

Capt. De Tolve presented Code 16's acting Division Director Ms. Kate Somerville with the Department of the Navy (DON) Superior …

A majority of sexual assault victims report feeling a lack of support from their leadership, and almost two-thirds of victims report experiencing a behavior in line with retaliation. As a former Staff Judge Advocate, these numbers did not reflect my experiences advising Navy commands. Every commanding officer I met handled allegations seriously, and did everything in his or her power to protect victims’ rights. As a VLC, I have discovered …

Service members, military retirees, and their families are sadly not immune from consumer and financial fraud and are often directly targeted. High mobility, a steady government paycheck with publicly available information on salaries, BAH, etc., by rank and location, and other factors contribute to bad actors seeking to take advantage of service members and their families. According to the Federal Trade Commission, military members reported higher median loses from consumer …

Washington  –  

The Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing tax year 2020 federal returns on Feb. 12, 2021.

Tips for Taxpayers to Make Filing Easier:
The IRS urges filers to follow these steps to avoid unnecessary delays in processing and issuance of refunds:

• File electronically and use direct deposit for the quickest refunds.
• Check IRS.gov for the latest tax information, including the latest on Economic Impact Payments. There is …

Forgot to cancel a cell, internet, or TV contract before moving overseas? Thankfully, it’s not too late to cancel, keep your cellphone number, and avoid termination fees using the benefits of the SCRA.

The SCRA allows OCONUS Service Members to terminate TV, internet, and cell contracts “at any time after the date the Service Member receives military orders,” so long as orders are for 90 days or more overseas and …

A critical part of deployment readiness is being ready-to-go at a moment’s notice, and that includes being legally prepared. Trying to resolve personal legal issues from overseas or while deployed is not just difficult, it can be costly, time-consuming, and sometimes impossible. Below are steps you can take in order to keep yourself and your family legally ready. Of course, this cheat-sheet is not an all-inclusive list. If you have …

When Service Members use commercial property storage, or rent a residential property, they are protected from certain adverse actions by the property landlord. Generally, landlords who believe their tenants are failing to hold up their end of the bargain can either seize (and probably sell) the property in the storage unit or even evict their tenants. Ever watch the show Storage Wars? It’s kind of like that!

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). …

The Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) is renewing its focus on Fleet engagement. To support this effort, the RLSO has designed and rolled-out the Fleet Legal Engagement Program (FLEP) to create positive opportunities for Sailors to engage with the Navy’s legal team. The Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) is renewing its focus on Fleet engagement. To support this effort, the RLSO has designed and rolled-out the Fleet Legal Engagement Program …

Servicemembers often come to Servicemembers often come to Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Western Pacific seeking advice in getting married in Japan. They visit us either to seek information regarding the process or assistance in obtaining command approval. They often come misinformed. This article is intended to dispel the five most common misconceptions about getting married in Japan. seeking advice in getting married in Japan. They visit us either to …

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 …

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 …

‘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 …

Few judge advocates and legalmen get to work in the aviation community, and even fewer have an opportunity to serve as the indispensable legal team for the “Carrier in the Desert.” Few judge advocates and legalmen get to work in the aviation community, and even fewer have an opportunity to serve as the indispensable legal team for the “Carrier in the Desert.”

The staff at Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) …

When does tax season start and end?
   Persons residing within the United States: The tax season begins Jan. 29. For resident aliens and U.S. citizens residing within the United States, the filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, rather than the traditional April 15 date. Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day on that Monday, which pushes the deadline to the next day for most …