Navy JAG Corps Judge Advocate General's Corps

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 …

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

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 …

“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 …

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

By Douglas Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton BREMERTON, Wash. - From the clinical to the courtroom, the initial Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner (SAMFE) training held at Naval Hospital Bremerton switched to the military justice process for the final day July 24, 2015. BREMERTON, Wash. - From the clinical to the courtroom, the initial Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner (SAMFE) training held at Naval Hospital Bremerton switched to the military justice process …

The Assistant Command Fitness Leaders (ACFLs) for Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) recently received commendation from Rear Adm. Kyle Cozard, commander, JTF-GTMO and Capt. Mark Winter, chief of staff.  We completed cycle 1 of the 2015 physical fitness assessment (PFA).  The ACFLs were instrumental in ensuring a successful PFA through their hard work and dedication.

Legalman 1st Class Celeste Dunlap was the leading petty officer ACFL.  In this capacity …

The following message was released by Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III and Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy Rear Adm. John G. Hannink 

Rear Admiral Christian L. Reismeier was promoted upon his retirement after 30 years of honorable and dedicated service to our Nation and our Navy on July 1.

For the past three years, Rear Admiral Reismeier served with distinction as …

The U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps held a change of office ceremony on June 26, at the Washington Navy Yard. During the traditional change of office ceremony, presided over by the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, Vice Adm. Nanette M. DeRenzi retired and was relieved by Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III who became the 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy.   The U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate …

Today, the Navy JAG Corps will hold a change of office ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard. During the traditional change of office ceremony, presided over by the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi will retire and be relieved by Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III who will become the 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy.  Rear Adm. John G. Hannink will become Deputy Judge Advocate …

SEPANGGAR, Malaysia (May 29, 2015) – Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) Command Judge Advocate Lt. Ryan J. Sylvester met with Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Legal Officer Lt. Cmdr. Mohd Shamsuni and toured a RMN military courtroom to learn about the RMN military justice system during a port visit to Sepanggar, Malaysia. SEPANGGAR, Malaysia (May 29, 2015) – Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) Command Judge …

When I approached the end of my obligated service on active duty, I knew I wanted to stay reserves.  The problem was the reason why I was leaving active duty in the first place.  My wife is a Foreign Service Officer in the State Department.  When I left active duty in Washington, DC, I was joining her where she was serving: Beijing, China. When I approached the end of my …