Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Navy Victims’ Legal Counsel Program (VLCP) founding during a ceremony aboard the Washington Navy Yard on Sept. 29. VLCP – which provides legal services to survivors of sexual offenses or domestic violence – was first established during the summer of 2013.

“Throughout the past decade, VLCP has been at the forefront of victim advocacy, …

For a victim of sexual assault, finding someone to trust and guide them through the complex maze of medical, legal, and administrative systems can be overwhelming. This is where the Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) can help take some of the burden by advising and advocating for the victim.

“As the VLC, we understand the processes, and by talking with the client and understanding their end goal, we know the pathway …

Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) held a change of command ceremony on August 11 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center aboard Naval Air Station Mayport.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Tanya M. Cruz was relieved by Capt. Katherine S. Pasieta as Commanding Officer of RLSO SE.

During the ceremony, Cruz thanked her Sailors for a rewarding …

Wednesday, August 2, 2023, was a day for celebration and congratulations. In partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seattle Field Office, Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) hosted the 2023 Seattle Seafair Fleet Week naturalization ceremony in the shadow of the USCG Cutter Henry Blake (WLM 563). Seafair has occurred on the Seattle waterfront since 1950 to celebrate our nation’s armed forces.

In front of family, …

Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony at Murphy Canyon Chapel in San Diego, California, on August 3, 2023. DSO West command members, family, and friends were invited to witness the ceremony.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Hayes C. Larsen relieved Capt. Ryan J. Stormer as Commanding Officer of DSO West.

Wilson congratulated Stormer …

Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific held a change of command ceremony on 10 July aboard U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.

Rear Adm. David G. Wilson, Commander of Naval Legal Service Command, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Matthew J. Sklerov relieved Capt. Gregory W. Saybolt as commanding officer of DSO Pacific. Wilson congratulated Saybolt on an extremely successful tour and commented on the overwhelmingly positive feedback he received from …

Lt. Phil Jones, staff judge advocate for Naval Air Station Jacksonville hit the mark at the 2023 Atlantic Fleet All Navy Rifle and Pistol Championships where he earned a bronze Fleet Rifleman badge and SECNAV Trophy Rifle award by finishing in the top 10% at the Atlantic Fleet rifle match. Additionally, he won the title of “Top New Shooter” for both rifle and pistol.

Although his primary weapon is the …

Legalman 2nd Class Thomas E. Tebbs II, USN a paralegal at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), proudly showed his skills in a court of an entirely different kind. Legalman 2nd Class Thomas E. Tebbs II, USN a paralegal at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE), proudly showed his skills in a court of an entirely different kind.

Hand-selected as a shooting guard for the All-Navy Men’s Basketball …

The Department of Defense’s (DOD) most valuable assets are its warfighters and their families. Consequently, the DOD has taken steps to ensure that military families are given the support that they need in order to accomplish the mission. One of the DOD’s most important programs for achieving this goal is the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Originally started by the U.S. Army in 1979, the EFMP serves military families with …

The holiday stand-down period is a welcome respite for Sailors to get away from the stress of deployments, duty sections, and qualifications. But while many are taking a much needed rest and relaxation from protecting their nation, they themselves remain vulnerable to the ever-present risk of identity theft. Here are some tips to prevent a Grinch from ruining your Christmas.   The holiday stand-down period is a welcome respite for …

Mogadishu, Somalia  –   Navy judge advocate Lt. Josh Root from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently completed a training mission to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of counter terrorism operations against the Al Shabaab militant group.   Navy judge advocate Lt. Josh Root from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently completed a training mission to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of counter terrorism operations against the Al …

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –   Rear Adm. Mark R. Myers relieved Rear Adm. Les Reardanz as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy for Reserve Affairs and Operations, and deputy commander of Naval Legal Service Command, at a change of office and retirement ceremony onboard the Washington Navy Yard on Oct. 14. Rear Adm. Mark R. Myers relieved Rear Adm. Les Reardanz as the deputy judge advocate general of the Navy …

MAYPORT, Fla.  –   In late August, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) hosted a three-day training symposium for the first time since 2019.  The learning event was a critical opportunity for judge advocates, Legalmen, and civilian employees spanning a large area of responsibility to reconnect and – as Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday has urged –  In late August, Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) hosted …

Active duty and full-time support officers interested in a challenging career change can apply for scholarships via the Law Education Program (LEP) announced in Naval Administrative message  Active duty and full-time support officers interested in a challenging career change can apply for scholarships via the Law Education Program (LEP) announced in Naval Administrative message 162/22. Applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 LEP Selection Board must be received no later …

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  –   Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony onboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, Calif., on June 9, 2022.   DSO West command members, family, and friends were invited to witness the ceremony. Defense Service Office (DSO) West held a change of command ceremony onboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, Calif., on June 9, 2022.   DSO West command members, family, …

The Navy JAG Corps is proud to host our 2022 summer interns! The Navy JAG Corps offers internships and externships to law students wishing to gain valuable legal experience, the opportunity for academic credit, and greater insight into life as a Navy judge advocate. Meet some of our summer interns.

Grace Allaman
University of Virginia
Chief of Naval Personnel

My favorite part of the internship so far has been …

YOKOSUKA, Japan  –   Chief Legalman Kezzi Colvin of Submarine Group 7, Yokosuka, Japan recalled how federal observance of Juneteenth – which occurred for the first time last year, though it is a longstanding holiday – was announced in June 2021 with little time to plan a fitting commemoration.  Chief Legalman Kezzi Colvin of Submarine Group 7, Yokosuka, Japan recalled how federal observance of Juneteenth – which occurred for the first …

Manama, Bahrain  –   Three out of the five Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) judge advocates in Bahrain openly identify as part of the LGBTQ community.  Why is that remarkable?  Because for the first time in their careers, they are in the majority.  Add in additional queer-identifying attorneys and service members aboard the installation, and you will find a thriving LGBTQ community in Bahrain. And that is something to celebrate this …

Yokosuka, Japan  –   For both of us – two judge advocates serving at the Region Legal Service Office Western Pacific headquarters office – living in Yokosuka, Japan has been a whirlwind experience.  Japan is a beautiful, fascinating country that blends tradition and technology.  As COVID-19 restrictions have started easing, we have begun enjoying a wide range of activities, from visiting shrines and temples, to cheering on local baseball teams, to …

The Chairman's Legal Counsel, Brigadier General Robert Borcherding, hosted the Combatant Command Staff Judge Advocates for a series of briefs in the Pentagon designed to build relationships across the interagency and to share lessons learned on the issues facing the combatant commanders across the globe and across the warfighting domains. The Chairman's Legal Counsel, Brigadier General Robert Borcherding, hosted the Combatant Command Staff Judge Advocates for a series of briefs …