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2014 Legalman & Sailor of the Year

January 30th, 2015

Milestones

The following message is from JAG Corps senior leaders Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi, Rear Adm. James Crawford, III, and Command Master Chief. Please join us in congratulating Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Yolanda Driscoll on her selection as the 2014 JAG Corps Legalman of the Year and Legalman 1st Class (AW) Tara Harris on her selection as the 2014 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year. These two outstanding Sailors were chosen from a pool of incredibly talented nominees. Please join us in congratulating Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Yolanda Driscoll on her selection as the 2014 JAG Corps Legalman of the Year and Legalman 1st Class (AW) Tara Harris on her selection as the 2014 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year. These two outstanding Sailors were chosen from a pool of incredibly talented nominees.

Driscoll became a legalman in 2001 and holds an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from Roger Williams University. She is currently assigned to Commander; Carrier Strike Group FIVE (CSG 5) in Yokosuka, Japan. As the only legalman assigned to CSG 5, Driscoll is directly responsible for processing cases for strike group staff and 22 subordinate commands. Driscoll developed and organized CSG 5's first legal training program, providing in-depth administrative separation and non-judicial punishment procedures to over 40 collateral duty legal officers and legal clerk yeoman. A dedicated leader and mentor, Driscoll served as the lead instructor of the Petty Officer Second and Third Class Leadership Course, instructing 760 Sailors on the principles of Navy leadership, responsibility, accountability, authority, and navigating stress. She also provided training to three first tour judge advocates temporarily assigned from the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) on General Courts-Marital Convening Authority matters. Ever the team player, Driscoll qualified as Assistant Battle Watch Captain and Assistant Force Tactical Action Officer during a critical manning shortage, making her the only First Class Petty Officer in a non-operational rating to achieve both watch qualifications. As the Strike Group Naturalization Coordinator, she provided expert assistance to four Sailors who ultimately obtained their U.S. citizenship. Driscoll is a motivated deck-plate leader who consistently achieves superior results.

Harris became a legalman in 2011 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies from Roger Williams University. She is currently assigned to Defense Service Office (DSO) Pacific, in Yokosuka, Japan. As Leading Petty Officer, Harris consistently performed her demanding duties with professional excellence while displaying unmatched leadership. She was responsible for the personal and professional development of 31 military and civilian personnel located across four UICs and three countries. As a paralegal subject matter expert, she drafted hundreds of documents and assisted in 160 administrative separations, 9 Article 32 hearings, and 55 courts-martial. She also served as a key team member responsible for developing a new standard operating procedure and trial checklist that effectively improved and streamlined procedures. Dedicated and driven, Harris implemented a robust in-rate training program, resulting in the first joint RLSO Japan/DSO Pacific Legalmen Training Symposium. During a critical four-month billet gap, Harris was selected to lead DSO Pacific as the Senior Enlisted Leader. An active participant in CPO 365, her innovative teaching style was so well received that it led to the restructuring of the CPO 365 Phase I program in Yokosuka. The epitome of dedication, Harris also served as international host and Naval Ambassador for 150 Japanese nationals during an area base monument tour. Harris is a renowned professional and a proven leader.

We extend congratulations and a special thank you to the other outstanding finalists: Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Christopher Monahan, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Legalman 2nd Class(SW/AW) Celeste Jimenez, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Lisa Roundtree, RLSO Japan, and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Angela Houston, RLSO Hawaii.

[caption id="attachment_12841" align="aligncenter" width="521"] [caption id="attachment_12841" align="aligncenter" width="521"]LN1Tara Harris and LN1 Driscoll (U.S. Navy photo by Natalie Morehouse/Released) Commander, Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Rear Adm. James Crawford and Command Master Chief recognize Legalman 1st Class (AW) Tara Harris on her selection as the 2014 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Yolanda Driscoll on her selection as the 2014 JAG Corps Legalman of the Year. (U.S. Navy photo by Natalie Morehouse/Released)     Commander, Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) Rear Adm. James Crawford and Command Master Chief recognize Legalman 1st Class (AW) Tara Harris on her selection as the 2014 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year and Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Yolanda Driscoll on her selection as the 2014 JAG Corps Legalman of the Year. (U.S. Navy photo by Natalie Morehouse/Released)    
Awards and Recognition