News

2017 JAG Legalman of the Year and Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year

February 2nd, 2018

Leaders of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) community honored the outstanding service of top enlisted Sailors during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on Feb. 2. Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW/SCW) Kareshia T. Stallworth – currently assigned to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) – was named the 2017 Legalman of the Year. Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Shamia L. Briscoe – currently assigned to Region Legal Service Office Southwest …

JAG Pays a Visit to Southeast JAG Community Staff

February 1st, 2018

Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy, and Master Chief Jondell Ritchie, Command Master Chief for Naval Legal Service Command, visited with JAG community personnel at three installations within Navy Region Southeast -- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 4-6, 2017. Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, Judge Advocate General (JAG) of …

Meet Kristen Childers RLSO SW Administrative Officer

Meet Kristen Childers RLSO SW Administrative Officer

January 26th, 2018

“If you’re going to do something, give it your full effort or don’t do it at all.”  “If you’re going to do something, give it your full effort or don’t do it at all.” 

A lesson Kristen Childers learned early on and that has stuck with her, in everything she does. Childers credits her mother with instilling in her the value of a good work ethic, punctuality, and accountability. Kristen Childers has been an administrative officer for A …

Navy’s 2018 VITA Program is Open for Business

Navy’s 2018 VITA Program is Open for Business

January 23rd, 2018

The Navy’s annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has officially launched. In anticipation of the kick-off of tax season Jan. 29, VITA tax centers fleet wide are opening their doors. VITA is a free self-service program available to active-duty and retired service members and their dependents, as well as deployed Department of Defense civilians. The Navy’s annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has officially launched. In anticipation of …

Income Tax Frequently Asked Questions

Income Tax Frequently Asked Questions

January 23rd, 2018

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 …

Yokosuka Holiday Benefit Concert Assisted Local Residents in Need

January 19th, 2018

In December, members of the Yokosuka JAG community -- through their participation in the Japanese Community Legal Association (JCLA) -- continued an annual holiday tradition of supporting Kaifu Gakuen, an assisted living facility and school for disabled Japanese adults in the Yokosuka area. In December, members of the Yokosuka JAG community -- through their participation in the Japanese Community Legal Association (JCLA) -- continued an annual holiday tradition of supporting …

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay JAGs Flourish Performing Cutting Edge Legal Work

January 12th, 2018

Permanent-party judge advocates are assigned to support Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba ("NSGB") for 18-to-30 month tours.  Navy and Marine Corps judge advocates who do so trace a history of over a half-century of supporting the mission of NSGB.

Located 400 air miles from Miami, Fla., NSGB is the United States' oldest overseas military installation (established in 1903) and the only one in a communist country.  Per the United States' …

DJAG Trip Log: Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA)

January 9th, 2018

November, Master Chief Legalman Jondell Ritchie, the command master chief (CMC) of Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC), and I took part in a whirlwind trip to Navy Region EURAFSWA. Though we were unable to visit all of the hard-working personnel stationed in this expansive region, we did stop in three key locations – Bahrain, Sigonella and London. November, Master Chief Legalman Jondell Ritchie, the command master chief (CMC) of Naval …

Moultrie Native is Serving on USS Eisenhower

January 5th, 2018

In celebration of the 46th anniversary of the Legalman rating, the following news article -- released by the Navy Office of Community Outreach and highlighting the contributions of Legalman 2nd Class Nikki Millican -- was selected as this week's #BZFriday blog post. Bravo Zulu, LN2 -- keep up the great work!

Moultrie, Ga., native and Colquitt County High School graduate, Petty Officer 2nd Class Nikki Millican is serving on one …

No Further Questions For USS Frank Cable's Sailor of the Year

January 4th, 2018

"It’s super intense. The room is thick. You can hear yourself breathing,” said Legalman 1st Class Diamond Harris as she describes the atmosphere of the Sailor of the Year board process on board the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). "It’s super intense. The room is thick. You can hear yourself breathing,” said Legalman 1st Class Diamond Harris as she describes the atmosphere of the Sailor of the Year …

DJAG Trip Log: Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md.

December 27th, 2017

Last month, the Naval Legal Service Command command master chief Jondell Ritchie and I visited JAG community personnel stationed at NAS Patuxent River, Md. Last month, the Naval Legal Service Command command master chief Jondell Ritchie and I visited JAG community personnel stationed at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

I gain enlightening insights from all of my site visits, and this trip was no different. Our first stop on base was …

Military Commissions Defense Organization

December 21st, 2017

In July 2016, I volunteered for a three year recall to active duty to serve at the Military Commissions Defense Organization (MCDO). When I volunteered I had very little understanding of exactly what MCDO did other than it represented detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba accused of offenses related to 9/11, the bombing of the USS Cole, and other alleged acts of terrorism being tried by the Military Commissions. …

Chaplain Instructor Shares Expertise with Lawyers

December 13th, 2017

A Naval Chaplaincy School and Center instructor addressed an all-services audience attending the 2017 Integrated Legal Services for Victims Conference Sept. 12.

Lt. Cmdr. Leroy Young was invited to speak on the role of chaplains with sexual assault victims and confidential communication. The annual Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) conference aims to enhance legal services provided to service members through integrated training and collaboration. “It was an honor to …

The Navy JAG Corps Turns 50

December 8th, 2017

The Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps celebrates 50 years of service and excellence on  The Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps celebrates 50 years of service and excellence on Dec. 8, 2017. "From the time the Navy created the 'law specialist' program . to the JAG Corps we know today, the Navy's legal team has made a difference every day - providing steady counsel and advice to keep …

Bilateral Women’s Luncheon

Bilateral Women’s Luncheon

December 1st, 2017

Lt. Cmdr. Brandi Orton, Deputy Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan attended a Bilateral Women's luncheon hosted by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to further encourage networking, mentorship, and recognition of accomplishments among female Sailors serving in the JMSDF and U.S. Navy in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 6, 2017. Lt. Cmdr. Brandi Orton, Deputy Force Judge Advocate, Commander, Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan attended a Bilateral Women's …

RLSO SE Holds Promotion Ceremony

November 27th, 2017

Lt. Savannah Smidt, Lt. Nic Walker, Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams, Cmdr. Sara de Groot, and Cmdr. Bill Lucier, were promoted during a ceremony in the courtroom at Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) in Jacksonville, Fla., on September 5, 2017. Lt. Savannah Smidt, Lt. Nic Walker, Lt. Cmdr. Ben Adams, Cmdr. Sara de Groot, and Cmdr. Bill Lucier, were promoted during a ceremony in the courtroom at Region Legal …

RLSO NW Winner of the Project Good Neighbor Community Service Award

November 17th, 2017

Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) was recently selected by Navy Region Northwest as winner of the 2017 Project Good Neighbor Award in the “small command” category. As part of the Navy Community Service Program, the Project Good Neighbor Award is an annual award presented to the best year-round program that encourages humanitarian assistance to underserved communities.  Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) was recently selected by Navy …

Hurricane Season Highlights RLSO SE Capabilities

November 9th, 2017

Hurricane season 2017 tested the entire Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) team. Due to RLSO SE’s geographical size, several hurricanes have made their mark on the area, but RLSO SE personnel banded together to overcome the challenges. Hurricane season 2017 tested the entire Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) team. Due to RLSO SE’s geographical size, several hurricanes have made their mark on the area, but RLSO …

NAPABA Names Navy Judge Advocate as 2017 Military and Veteran Service Award Winner

November 3rd, 2017

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) named Cmdr. Sylvaine W. Wong, deputy director of the Office of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Military Personnel Division, as the inaugural 2017 NAPABA Military and Veteran Service Award recipient. The award will be presented at the 2017 NAPABA Convention in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 2017. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) named Cmdr. Sylvaine W. Wong, deputy director of …

CARAT Indonesia

October 27th, 2017

In September, Lt. j.g. Maria Deguzman, Region Legal Service Office Japan, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia. In September, Lt. j.g. Maria Deguzman, Region Legal Service Office Japan, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia.

The U.S. and Indonesian navies came together for the 23rd Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise and skills …