2012 

vol. 15 JAG2013

Vol. 16 

Official Magazine of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps 

INSIDE: 

FROM NAVY ENLISTED 

TO LAWYER

MILITARY JUSTICE 

SYSTEM UPDATES 

LEGAL SERVICES TO 

NAVY YARD GUNSHOT 

VICTIMS, FAMILIES 

2013

Annual

Year in Review
2 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

The JAG Magazine is an authorized publication for members of the DoD. Comments are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Government, DoD, or U.S. Navy. This magazine is prepared by the public affairs staff of the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Navy. 

Submissions are welcome on all Navy JAG Corps-related topics and, if published, are subject to editing for length and clarity. Written and photographic submissions that show active 

and Reserve judge advocates and legalmen are strongly encouraged. We prefer to receive all written and photographic submissions by e-mail to natalie.morehouse@navy.mil. Images 

should include captions and be unmodified; digital files should measure at least 300dpi at 5x7 inches. All submissions must include the author’s full name, rank, duty contact telephone 

number and e-mail address. Feature articles should be 750 to 1000 words. Accompanying photos should show emotion or action if possible. 

If necessary, send submissions by regular postal mail to: Office of the Judge Advocate General, Attn: Public Affairs Office, 1322 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Bldg. 33, Suite 3000, 

Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066. Telephone inquiries should be made to (202) 685-5394. INSIDE

Lt. James D. Carson

CTF 51 Public Affairs

Naval Justice School

Lt. Cmdr. Heather Henderson

Lt. j.g. Simone Harbas

Civilian Personnel Management Services ( Code 66)

JAG Corps Public Affairs

Naval Station Newport Public Affairs

NAWCWD Public Affairs

From Navy Enlisted to Lawyer: JAG Corps 

Establishes Commissioning Program

Naval Justice School Innovative Training 

Prepares Legal Professionals for the Fleet 

Navy Legalmen Revive “Tacking on the Crow”

China Lake JAG helps Sailors on USS Nimitz 

Well, JAG, What Do You Think? 

Legal Services to Navy Yard Gunshot

Victims, Families 

Victims’ Legal Counsel Program Spans the Globe

Wilderness Challenge: Accepted 

Network Strives to Help Military Spouse 

Lawyers Pursue Legal Careers

Civilian Mentoring Pilot Program 

Updates to the Uniform Code of Military 

Justice and Military Justice System

Book Review: You are Not so Smart

Photos From the Fleet

4 

6 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

14 

16

17

18

20

21

Lt. Cmdr. Paul Kapfer

Criminal Law (Code 20)

Lt. Cmdr. John Barclay Reese
JAG.NAVY.MIL 3

JAGMAGAZINE

JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

Vice Adm. Nanette M. DeRenzi

DEPUTY JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL,

COMMANDER, NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE COMMAND

Rear Adm. James W. Crawford, III

DEPUTY JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 

RESERVE AFFAIRS & OPERATIONS

DEPUTY COMMANDER, 

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE COMMAND

Rear Adm. Janet R. Donovan

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF, 

OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL,

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE COMMAND

Master Chief Legalman Paul St. Sauver

RESERVE COMMAND MASTER CHIEF,

OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL,

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE COMMAND

Master Chief Legalman Karen Colaiacovo

PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Ms. Jen Zeldis

Ms. Natalie Morehouse

EDITORIAL BOARD

Cmdr. Thomas Leary Maj. Antonio Contreras

Lt. Cmdr. Michael Bloomrose Lt. Cmdr. Kennith Ian

Lt. Cmdr. Mike O’Regan Lt. Cmdr. John Reese

Lt. Cmdr. Brent Troyan Lt. Jonathan Blazek

Lt. Robin Crabtree Lt. Griffin Farris

Lt. Ryan Forbes Lt. Lindsay Geiselman

Lt. Jared Hernandez Ms. Davina Davis-Norris

REGION LIAISONS

Naval Justice School

Lt. Cmdr. Sara DeGroot

Defense Service Office North

Lt. Bryan Barletto & Legalman 1st Class James Ruffin

Defense Service Office Pacific

Lt. Alexandra Nica

Defense Service Office Southeast

Lt. Andrew Clayton

Defense Service Office West

Lt. Tanya Nikam

Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa & Southwest Asia

Lt. j.g. Rachel Sussman

Region Legal Service Office Hawaii

Ms. Allison Schneider

Region Legal Service Office Japan

Lt. Nicholas Inns

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic

Lt. Lindsay McCarl & Lt. Benita Stentiford

Region Legal Service Office Midwest

Lt. Adam Smith

Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington

Lt. Jim Howland

Region Legal Service Office Northwest

Lt. Alison Dean

Region Legal Service Office Southeast

Lt. Joel White

Region Legal Service Office Southwest

Lt. Barbara Colberg & Lt. Jevon Gibb

JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

Welcome to the annual issue of the JAG Magazine, a showcase of photos and 

stories from 2013. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those who 

contributed to this issue and online throughout the year. The content provided in the 

JAG Magazine, as well as that provided on our website and social networking sites, are 

collaborative efforts by all members of the JAG Corps community.

2013 was particularly challenging, as we faced sequestration cuts, a civilian hiring 

freeze, a government shutdown, and furlough of civilian employees. The work our 

civilians do is vital to our legal mission and to the well-being of our Sailors and their 

families. Congressional budget work continues and may lend more stability to FY 14 

and FY 15 budgets, but the longer-term commitment to reduce discretionary spending 

will continue to require all of us to make smart and efficient choices. Working together, 

I know we’ll meet whatever challenges lie ahead.

We released JAG Guidance 2014, identifying annual initiatives that will enable the 

JAG Corps to fulfill its mission and strategic vision. We will:

• Oversee the phased execution of our knowledge management (KM) strategy 

and plan for the JAG Corps

• Develop sustainable processes to routinely capture review, validate, and 

disseminate standardized command advice practices to yield efficiencies in 

conjunction with the KM initiative.

• Implement the Legalman Utilization Instruction, Doctrine, and Professional 

Development Standards for optimal employment of paralegal-trained 

Legalmen.

• Continue to refine a civilian personnel resource guide with information for 

JAG Corps personnel on civilian employee management resources, training 

opportunities, and career development.

• Have military justice, legal assistance, and command advice practitioners work 

with program developers in the multi-year design and execution of the Naval 

Justice Information System (NJIS).

This edition of the JAG Magazine highlights the Naval Justice School’s Innovative 

Training. The JAG Corps Public Affairs Officer discusses the In-Service Procurement 

Program (IPP), a pathway for enlisted Sailors to become judge advocates. Additionally, 

Lt. Cmdr. Paul Kapfer shares the legal assistance services provided to the gunshot 

victims and their spouses and children.

The annual JAG Magazine remains a wonderful resource. However, to keep it 

relevant and informative, the JAG magazine will shift to include more substantive and 

in-depth articles that tackle some of the significant legal issues being addressed by 

uniformed attorneys. You can keep up with the latest happenings around the Fleet via 

the following social media sites: 

Facebook (www.facebook.com/navyjag) 

Twitter (www.twitter.com/Navy_JAG) 

YouTube (www.youtube.com/NavyJAGCorps) 

Wordpress (www.usnavyjagcorps.wordpress.com/)

 Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/navyjagcorps/)

Thank you for everything you do for the Navy, our clients, 

and each other. Keep up the terrific work!

Nanette M. DeRenzi

Vice Adm. JAG Corps, U.S. Navy
4 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

I

n a NAVADMIN released June 4, 

the Navy Judge Advocate General’s 

(JAG) Corps announced the In-Service 

Procurement Program (IPP) designed 

to create a pathway for enlisted Sailors 

to become judge advocates.

The JAG Corps IPP is open to qualified 

and career-motivated enlisted personnel 

of all ratings. Candidates selected for 

the JAG Corps IPP have the opportunity 

to complete a Juris Doctor degree in 

preparation for a JAG Corps commission.

“The JAG Corps IPP provides a 

commissioning option for talented and 

motivated Sailors,” said Vice Adm. 

Nanette DeRenzi, Judge Advocate 

General of the Navy. “Officers 

commissioned through JAGC IPP will 

provide diversity of perspective, thought, 

and experience not widely found in 

the civilian law student population.”

The JAG Corps IPP provides both 

funded and unfunded paths to JAG Corps 

commissions. Sailors who have earned 

a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of 

Arts degree may apply for funded legal 

education; Sailors who have already earned 

a Juris Doctor degree from an American 

Bar Association accredited law school and 

a bar license from any state may 

apply for direct appointment.

“JAG Corps IPP will expand the 

pool of applicants from which we recruit 

judge advocates,” said Command Master 

Chief Paul St. Sauver, Office of the Judge 

Advocate General. “It will provide key 

enlisted fleet experience to the JAG 

Corps, thereby significantly enhancing 

the value of the JAG Corps to the fleet.”

The JAG Corps IPP is open to activeduty enlisted personnel and Navy full-time 

support personnel, in any rating or military 

occupational specialty, in pay grades E-5 

through E-7 with at least two years and not 

more than 10 years of service. Applicants 

must be at least 21 years old and under the 

age of 42 by the time of commissioning.

The FY-14 JAG Corps IPP Selection 

Board met on Jan. 30, 2014 and considered 

11 highly qualified applicants. Due to 

unique circumstances this year, two 

exceptional applicants will 

commission through 

this program. 

Next year’s IPP Selection Board looks 

to be even more competitive as word 

spreads about this great opportunity. 

A NAVADMIN announcing the 

FY-15 IPP Selection Board will be 

released in June. We encourage 

anyone interested to apply and 

invite the JAG community 

to provide guidance and 

professional mentorship to 

those interested. Application 

procedures and education 

requirements are available 

at jag.navy.mil/careers.

From Navy Enlisted to Lawyer:

From JAG Corps Public Affairs 

JAG Corps Establishes 

Commissioning Program
JAG.NAVY.MIL 5
6 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

Naval Justice School Innovative Training 

Prepares Legal Professionals for the Fleet

By Bob Krekorian, Naval Station Newport Public Affairs

NJS, located in Helton and Morrison Halls at Naval 

Station Newport, is divided into five departments: 

Marine Legal Service Specialists, Legalmen, Civil 

Law, Military Justice, and Operational Law. The 

staff of NJS consists of officers, enlisted, and civilian 

administrative personnel from each of the sea services. 

Based on feedback received from commanding 

officers, staff judge advocates, and legal professionals 

in the fleet, a six-month curriculum review at NJS last 

year determined that changes needed to be made to better 

prepare judge advocates to practice in the Fleet.

While many Coast Guard and Marine Corps judge 

advocates have some military background, most Navy judge 

advocates accessions have little or no military experience 

prior to accepting a commission into the JAG Corps. 

The Basic Lawyer Course (BLC), a 10-week course 

for new lawyers, trains Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast 

Guard judge advocates in the fundamentals of military 

justice and relevant civil law, administrative law, 

investigations, operational law, and legal assistance. 

Approximately 150 students graduate annually from BLC.

"We wanted to determine if we were teaching them 

everything they needed to know," said Marine Corps 

Maj. Matt Stewart, Operational and International Law 

department head and curriculum review leader. "We found 

that our recent Basic Lawyer Course graduates didn't 

understand the context of the legal issues," said Stewart.

"From day 1, we stress 

accountability, integrity, 

professionalism, and commitment 

to the warfighter and military 

mission," said Capt. Stacy 

Pedrozo, NJS commanding officer.

BLC now includes more 

practical exercises such as mock 

client interviews, legal briefs 

to the commanding officer, and 

mock trials involving alleged 

sexual assaults and other 

types of UCMJ violations.

While NJS emphasizes 

trial advocacy skills for new 

military attorneys who serve 

as counsel at courts-martial, the BLC curriculum also 

focuses on training in basic operational law for deployed 

units which covers rules of engagement, law of armed 

conflict, law of the sea, and environmental law.

"In an increasingly complex warfare environment, we 

have to train our judge advocates to recognize legal issues 

associated with the emerging technology such as unmanned 

systems and cyberwarfare capabilities," Pedrozo said. 

Stewart said questions frequently come up about simple 

legal issues, but the larger mission needs to be considered.

"A problem that we saw is that our students needed to 

know how military justice supports the commander and how 

it helps to maintain good order and discipline," he said.

"Part of our mission is to make sure that new BLC 

graduates are Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard 

officers first. At the end of day, you have to figure 

out how to fit into the commanding officer's staff 

and best support the mission," said Stewart.

Thinking like a military professional is important for 

the new BLC graduate, and so the Navy JAG Corps, 

in particular, has instituted an on-going mentoring 

program to support first-tour judge advocates.

"We need the BLC graduates to be excellent military 

professionals first. If they are not credible, their advice 

will fall on deaf ears within the organization," said Lt. 

Cmdr. Paige Ormiston, NJS Professional Development 

and Leadership Training curriculum coordinator.

In addition to the BLC, NJS also 

focuses on enlisted legal training by 

ensuring Marine Corps legal service 

specialists and Navy legalmen have 

the skills to become paralegals. 

Through a newly-designed continuing 

education curriculum for the Marine 

Corps legal service specialists, 

courses are provided throughout the 

legal service specialist's career. Legal 

service specialists also return to NJS 

periodically to receive more intensive 

and practical civil, administrative 

and military justice law training. 

The Coast Guard has also revamped 

their legal technician course at NJS to 

The Naval Justice School (NJS) provides innovative legal training to its students by creating a more operational context to the daily legal issues that are important to commanding officers, 

to the warfighters and their families, and to the Navy’s world-wide mission at sea and ashore.

“In an increasingly 

complex warfare 

environment, we 

have to train our judge 

advocates to recognize legal 

issues associated with the 

emerging technology such 

as unmanned systems and 

cyberwarfare capabilities.”

– Capt. Stacy Pedrozo

NJS commanding officer
JAG.NAVY.MIL 7

to retirement," said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Sullivan, 

online legal education program manager.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, NJS partnered 

with the Army JAG School and Legal Center, 

Charlottesville, Va., to make online courses available 

for the distance learner using the Blackboard learning 

management system and Defense Connect Online. 

"Because there are only so many resident seats that 

we can fill at NJS, and considering the current fiscal 

constraints, we have created an online environment 

that provides an education and training opportunity 

that until recently was unavailable," Sullivan said.

Distance Learning provides up-to-date training 

that allows JAGs to keep their commanders and 

clients well informed of changes in regulations and 

law, thereby contributing to mission success.

Not only does NJS focus on ensuring members of 

the legal community are properly trained, NJS also 

provides training to several commands around Naval 

Station Newport. Its detachments in Norfolk and San 

Diego also provide courses to service members who 

are legal officers, senior officers, and senior enlisted. 

All NJS locations provide a Chief of Naval 

Personnel-directed senior officer course for all O-6 

commanding officers that addresses issues such as 

standards of conduct, ethics, disposition of sexual 

assault cases, and other complex legal issues.

Lt. j.g. Astrid Brouillard, Naval Justice School Basic Lawyer Course student, role plays the defendant during mock trials in which the new judge 

advocates are testing their trial advocacy skills. Lt. j.g. Nick Hambley, role plays as her defense counsel. The mock trials are one of the students’ 

final graded events and are a culmination of their ten weeks of training at NJS. 

provide new and more practical training to its yeomen, as there 

is no legal-specific enlisted rating, in order to ensure proper 

designation to take a billet coded for a legal technician. 

For Navy legalmen, the Navy has instituted the 

Legalman Paralegal Education Program, which 

begins with an 11-week Legalman Accession 

course. All Legalman Accession students have prior 

enlisted service before becoming legalmen.

The 'A' school portion at NJS is followed by a fulltime semester taught by the law faculty from Roger 

Williams University, Bristol, R.I. Graduates earn 

10 college credit hours towards an ABA-accredited 

associate degree in paralegal studies. To date, 

the vast majority of the legalman community has 

obtained an associate degree in paralegal studies or is 

enrolled in classes and working toward a degree.

"This benefits the Fleet, the JAG Corps, and our 

independent duty legalmen," said Lt. Cmdr. Sara 

de Groot, NJS Military Justice Department.

NJS also focuses on training beyond the initial 

accession training. Judge advocates, legalmen, and 

legal service specialists have the opportunity to 

expand their knowledge base with just-in-time training 

via the NJS online legal education program.

"With distance education we are leveraging the 

technology to support the professional development 

of everyone in our legal community from accession 

(Bob Krekorian/U.S. Navy photo)
8 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

The Navy’s newest legalmen revived the old tradition of “tacking on the 

crow” during a frocking ceremony at the 

Naval Justice School on May 17, 2013.

“Tacking on the crow” involves 

Sailors taking turns stitching the 

petty officer rating badge on to the 

sleeve of a newly-advanced Sailor, 

representing the new rank/rate.

Chief Legalman Cheryl Elliott, a 

NJS course coordinator, started the 

first tack with a long white thread. 

“Remember to make your stitches nice 

and even,” she said as she demonstrated 

the stitches for the Sailors who 

would be stitching the patch next.

Seaman James Cameron, Jr., who 

completed the Legalman Accession 

Course, was unfamiliar with the 

recently-revived Navy tradition. While 

being frocked to petty officer, his 

new third-class crow was sewn on his 

sleeve by his shipmates, who were 

also unfamiliar with the practice.

Navy Legalmen Revive 

“Tacking on the Crow” 

From Naval Justice School

stitched to tell me what knowledge 

has helped them as a petty officer.”

Over the years the tradition of 

stitching on the new rank had been 

distorted into a hazing ritual. However, 

the true spirit of “tacking on the 

crow” has been revitalized at NJS.

“It was a great and memorable 

experience in my Navy career,” said 

Legalman 3rd Class Celeste Jimenez. 

“This ceremony brought camaraderie.”

NJS provides accession-level and 

long-term legal training for all Navy, 

Marine Corps and Coast Guard lawyers 

and enlisted legal professionals, active 

and reserve. In addition, NJS provides 

training for civilian personnel, sea 

service commanders, legal officers, 

senior enlisted and others in the 

administration of military law.

The sewing on of Cameron’s 

crow marked the end of the 

group’s journey through their 11 

weeks in the legal curriculum.

“Our heritage and traditions help build 

pride in our Navy, connect us with past 

generations of Sailors, and help keep 

our foundation strong for generations 

to come,” said Chief Legalman Karyn 

Sigurdsson, NJS assistant course 

coordinator. “In particular, the revival 

of the tradition of tacking on the crow 

is a way to show our young Sailors that 

we are here to help guide and mentor 

them as they continue in the Navy.”

The last stitch was sewn by 

Sigurdsson. By sewing the first and 

last stitches on Cameron’s service dress 

white uniform, the course instructors 

symbolized the equality of all who 

have worn the crow and the support 

offered to a new petty officer.

“I felt honored to be able to participate 

in this genuine military tradition,” said 

Cameron. “It was really special that 

each petty officer stopped by after they 

Legalman 2nd Class Malisha Eley assists in the stitching on the rating badge of a classmate during a “tacking on the crow” ceremony.

Our heritage and traditions 

help build pride in our 

Navy, connect us with past 

generations of Sailors, and 

help keep our foundation 

strong for generations to come. 

– Chief Legalman 

Karyn Sigurdsson

“

“
JAG.NAVY.MIL 9

“I learned a lot on that ship,” she said. “And, I gained a 

greater appreciation for what our Sailors go through out there.”

Seewald observed a few executive officer inquiries 

and a captain’s mast while aboard the Nimitz.

“I was able to see a completely different way of doing 

them,” she said. “It was a good comparison between 

how things are done on a ship versus on shore. I can 

incorporate that into my knowledge base here.”

Seewald said her week on the ship consisted of 

a lot of work, at a fast pace and long hours, and she 

would jump at the chance to do it all again.

“Working with the other judge advocates was a 

good reminder of how cool our legal community in 

the Navy is,” Seewald said. “We are mobile and we 

can get things done no matter where we are.”

Joining the Navy wasn’t an automatic choice for 

Seewald, an Albuquerque native, as she didn’t come 

from a traditionally military family, although she had 

an uncle who served in the Army during Vietnam as 

a language specialist. It was while she was still in law 

school at Lewis and Clark in Oregon that Seewald came 

across a job announcement for the Navy JAG Corps.

“I had not thought of the Navy as a potential employer 

before but I kept an open mind and pursued it,” Seewald 

said. “I found it interesting because I could practice various 

types of law, and I could travel to new places. So far, 

it’s fulfilled every one of my wishes. I love my job.”

China Lake JAG helps Sailors on USS Nimitz

From Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Public Affairs

The staff judge advocate for the Naval Air Warfare 

Center Weapons Division and the Naval Air 

Weapons Station China Lake recently spent a week 

aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) helping its Sailors 

take care of legal matters before deploying.

With a little more than three years in the Navy, Lt. 

Kristin Seewald has already done a lot of things she never 

imagined she would – she did a tour of duty with Combined 

Joint Task Force 435 in Afghanistan, she served and lived 

in Hawaii, she moved to Ridgecrest, Calif., in August 

and now she has logged time on an aircraft carrier.

When Region Legal Service Office Southwest asked for 

volunteers to spend the week before Thanksgiving aboard 

the Nimitz helping Sailors as part of pre-deployment legal 

readiness preparation, Seewald said she couldn’t wait to get 

out there. Slightly disappointed that she couldn’t have the 

experience of landing on a carrier, Seewald said she and 

four other lawyers in the Navy’s JAG Corps walked onto 

the ship in San Diego. As the ship cruised up the coast 

to Washington, the judge advocates helped the Sailors 

prepare wills and powers of attorney, and tend to other 

legal issues like closing out leases and phone contracts.

Seewald may have gone to help the Sailors, 

but she benefitted from the trip as well.

Lt. Kristin Seewald, the staff judge advocate for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, takes a look 

around the deck of USS Nimitz. (U.S. Navy photo)
10 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 

Well, JAG, What Do You Think?

By Lt. James D. Carson, Region Legal Service Office Southeast

Navy JAG Supports Joint Warrior

non-combatant evacuation operation and navigating the legal 

and public affairs challenges associated with taking custody 

of detainees. Perhaps most importantly, I felt the weight, 

even if only simulated, that rests upon the JAG’s shoulders.

So what does this JAG think? To any judge advocate given 

the opportunity to practice operational law in an international 

context like Joint Warrior, I recommend the perfect word 

from our British allies who host Joint Warrior that warmly 

conveys gratitude, farewell, and excitement: Cheers!

Special thanks to Commodore Nelson Castro, 

the DESRON TWO SIX staff, and the captain 

and crew of the USS Gettysburg (CG-64).

Lt. James D. Carson stands in front of a Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) onboard the USS Gettysburg (CG-64). Carson was the legal advisor for a 

Combined Task Group and its supporting forces during JOINT WARRIOR 12-2, a semiannual training event hosted by the Royal Navy’s Joint Tactical Exercise 

Planning Staff in the United Kingdom. 

“Well , JAG, what do you think?” How little we realize how often that question is asked and how much 

depends on the answer. Nothing could bring that into sharper 

focus than the operational environment. This question was put 

to me as I briefed a critical rules of engagement (ROE) request 

during a recent coalition exercise. This was the pinnacle event 

of Joint Warrior 12-2 for me as a judge advocate.

Joint Warrior is a semiannual training event hosted by the 

Royal Navy’s Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff in the 

United Kingdom. It provides a multi-threat environment 

where joint forces from various NATO allies gain predeployment training and practice what it means to be a part of 

a Combined Joint Task Force. For me, it was an opportunity 

to advise the Commodore of a Combined Task Group 

on operational law issues in a simulated but high-tempo 

environment. It also gave me a much needed and much 

appreciated in-depth look at the work of the operational Navy.

I saw (and slept directly beneath) flight operations and 

watched replenishments at sea. I witnessed the five-inch 

gun firing inert, high-explosive, illumination rounds. I 

shared a freezing stateroom with five other staff officers, 

one of them from the Royal Navy. I socialized in the 

wardroom with ensigns and admirals. I observed the 

innovative counter-piracy strategy of using air assets 

to keep pirates away from their intended targets.

I also gained tremendous legal experience that helped me 

see how critical our trade is to effective warfighting. Even 

before the exercise began, I was called upon to review and 

update rules of engagement requests and rules of engagement 

implementation orders. These critical responsibilities 

continued unabated throughout the exercise. I drafted 

and executed a publication exercise to test the knowledge 

of ships’ company on ROE. I benefitted immeasurably 

from the opportunity to pick a seasoned captain’s brain 

on the bridge of his ship about the nuanced difficulties 

of operationally implementing various specific ROE. I 

learned to distinguish ROE that enable surface warfare from 

ROE that enable mine warfare, and the important practical 

distinctions between the two. I saw how ROE can both 

influence and implement strategy while executing a simulated 
JAG.NAVY.MIL 11

assigned to advise individual families, 

the ABA recruited local attorneys to 

provide services tailored to the applicable 

jurisdiction. This cooperative effort 

resulted in the best possible service 

to the shooting victims and their 

families in legal specialty areas such 

as probate and estate planning. 

During the month-long effort, 

RLSO NDW contacted all 12 of the 

deceased victims’ families, as well as 

the other individuals who were injured. 

The legal assistance department also 

offered legal assistance to the 55 

Navy employees and contractors who 

were in proximity to the shootings, 

teamed up with OJAG’s Legal 

Assistance Division (Code 16) to 

brief the Casualty Assistance Calls 

Officers assigned to each family, 

and participated in response efforts 

organized by Commander, Navy 

Installations Command. The Navy 

JAG Corps team (active and reserve), 

in partnership with the larger legal 

community, was privileged to be able 

to help in a tragic moment when a 

few families needed a steady hand.

By Lt. Cmdr. Paul Kapfer, Region Legal Service Office Naval District Washington

Legal Services to 

Navy Yard Gunshot 

Victims, Families

I

n the wake of the Sept. 16, 2013, 

Washington Navy Yard shootings, 

the Secretary of the Navy extended 

legal assistance services to the 

gunshot victims and their immediate 

or surviving spouses and children. 

Region Legal Service Office Naval 

District Washington (RLSO NDW) 

mobilized immediately to support an 

Emergency Family Assistance Center 

(EFAC) established at Joint Base 

Anacostia-Bolling as a "one stop" 

location for counseling, financial 

assistance, and legal services. During 

the EFACs first days of operation, RLSO 

personnel staffed a table with both active 

and Reserve JAG Corps personnel. 

FBI victim service professionals 

escorted survivors and their families 

through the EFAC. Survivors 

were given the opportunity to have 

discussions with RLSO attorneys 

about potential legal concerns. Shortly 

after the incident, the Secretary of 

the Navy extended legal assistance 

services to otherwise ineligible victims 

of the shooting and their immediate 

families. RLSO NDW legal assistance 

personnel responded by scheduling 

appointments with victims and families 

to look comprehensively at their legal 

concerns. Because victims were 

mainly civilian, contractor, or retired 

military, the consultations included 

advice on workers compensation, 

survivor benefits, government and 

contractor pay structures, life insurance 

procedures, and sources of community 

and local government support. For 

some families, the deceased had been 

the sole breadwinner, and an immediate 

priority was to secure additional 

resources and reduce expenses.

While the American Bar Association’s 

Military Pro Bono program is usually 

limited to active-duty personnel (E-6 

and below), at the request of RLSO 

NDW’s legal assistance department 

head, the ABA also extended its pro bono 

legal assistance services to the shooting 

victims and their immediate families. 

Working with the judge advocate 

“We want to ensure our 

Navy family is able to 

understand the resources 

available to them.” 

–Secretary of the Navy

 Ray Mabus
12 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

Victims’ Legal Counsel Program Spans the Globe

The Navy’s Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) Program was introduced to forward deployed Sailors and Marines 

aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship 

USS Bataan (LHD 5) in the 5th Fleet area 

of responsibility, March 19, 2014.

Sailors and Marines assigned to 

the Bataan Amphibious Ready 

Group (ARG) and the embarked 

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 

(MEU) received information 

about the VLC Program, 

established to provide legal 

advice and advocacy to eligible 

victims of sexual assault.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cara Addison 

discussed the program’s 

details and her role as the Navy 

VLC stationed at Naval Support 

Activity, Bahrain. She explained 

the types of services provided, 

the attorney-client relationship and 

confidentiality, and the collaboration with other 

personnel available to assist sexual assault victims.

“I serve as legal counsel for the victim only, not 

for the government, nor for the accused,” Addison 

said. “I ensure that victims have the opportunity to 

be heard and informed, and are treated with fairness 

and respect for their dignity and privacy.”

Addison spoke to separate groups, each 

with a special role in the prevention of 

sexual assault and processing of a 

report. She stressed the program’s 

focus on providing compassionate 

and coordinated support to victims. 

Enlisted and senior leadership 

teams from the ARG, MEU, 

and USS Bataan, as well as, 

victim advocates, sexual assault 

response coordinators, chaplains, 

healthcare personnel, staff judge 

advocates and legal officers 

received interactive briefs about 

the independent VLC program.

“The Navy’s Victims’ Legal 

Counsel is a program needed for many 

years,” said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms 

Katherine Gutierrez, Bataan’s chief masterat-arms. “The VLC can help victims of sexual assault 

From CTF 51 Public Affairs

Lt. Cara Addison discusses the Navy’s Victims Legal Counsel Program to enlisted leaders aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 

5). The Navy established its VLC program, August 15, 2013 to complement the support provided by Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim 

Advocates (VAs) by offering legal advice, representation and, as appropriate, advocacy for victims of sexual assault. Bataan is the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious 

Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts 

in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. 

U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class RJ Stratchko
JAG.NAVY.MIL 13

by giving them a voice in the legal 

process and sound legal guidance from 

a lawyer assigned to represent victims 

only. This ensures the victim is treated 

fairly and with dignity at all times.”

The Navy established its VLC 

program, August 15, 2013. It is 

designed to complement the support 

provided by Sexual Assault Response 

Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim 

Advocates (VAs) by offering legal 

advice, representation and, as 

appropriate, advocacy for victims 

of sexual assault. Navy VLCs help 

victims understand the investigative 

and military justice processes, advocate 

in court as appropriate for the victim’s 

rights and interests, and provide 

legal advice to assist the victim. 

“It is important for our Sailors and 

Marines to know that this program 

is available and that it provides an 

opportunity to have counsel that 

is focused solely on their interests 

as victims,” Commander, Task 

Force 51, Brig. Gen. Gregg P. 

Olson, said. “Lt. Addison’s zeal in 

seizing the opportunity to share the 

program with forward-deployed 

expeditionary forces is a tribute 

to her dedication and highlights 

the VLC Program’s commitment 

to providing comprehensive legal 

assistance to our Shipmates.”

Bataan is the flagship for the 

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group 

and, with the embarked 22nd Marine 

Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in 

support of maritime security operations 

and theater security cooperation 

efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of 

responsibility. Task Force 51 provides 

command and control of amphibious 

forces deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet.

For more information about 

the VLC Program, or to contact 

a VLC office, jag.navy.mil.

Hagel Announces New Anti-Sexual Assault Initiatives

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced seven new 

initiatives to strengthen and standardize the department’s sexual assault 

prevention and response effort.

In a memo to the field, Hagel called elimination of sexual assault in 

the military one of the department’s top priorities.

“This effort requires our absolute and sustained commitment to 

providing a safe environment in which every service member and DOD 

civilian is free from the threat of sexual harassment and assault,” he 

wrote in a statement. “Our success depends on a dynamic and responsive 

approach. We, therefore, must continually assess and strive to improve 

our prevention and response programs.”

On May 6, 2013, the secretary directed the services and defense 

agencies to strengthen the program in commander accountability, 

command climate, victim advocacy and safety.

The secretary’s initiatives announced today strengthen these areas 

further. They include:

• The secretary directed the services to improve victim legal 

support. He directed the service secretaries to create a legal 

advocacy program to provide legal representation to sexual 

assault victims throughout the judicial process. He set Nov. 

1, 2013, as an initial operating capacity for this and for it to 

be fully functional by Jan. 1, 2014.

• Hagel directed that pre-trial investigative hearings of 

sexual assault-related charges are conducted by Judge 

Advocate General officers.

• The secretary directed service secretaries to enhance 

protections calling on them to develop and implement 

policies allowing for the reassignment or transfer of 

members accused of committing sexual assault or related 

offense. Hagel wants this done in order to eliminate 

continued contact while respecting the rights of both 

victims and the accused.

• Hagel is requiring timely follow-up reports on sexual 

assault incidents and responses to be given to the first 

general or flag officer within the chain of command.

• He also directed the DOD Inspector General to regularly 

evaluate closed sexual assault investigations.

• Hagel ordered the service secretaries to standardize 

prohibitions on inappropriate behavior between recruiters 

and trainers and their recruits and trainees across the 

department.

• And, Hagel directed the DOD general council to develop 

and propose changes to the Manual for Courts-Martial that 

would allow victims to give input during the sentencing 

phase of courts-martial.

The new measures should strengthen the department’s sexual assault 

prevention and response programs, the secretary said.

“Remember, we are all accountable and responsible for 

eliminating this crime from our ranks,” Hagel said in the memo.

15 Aug 2013

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20360-1000

SUBJECT: Sexual Assualt Prevention and Response

Although Lt. Addison briefed both 

Sailors and Marines on the program, 

the Marine Corps also has Victims’ 

Legal Counsel. In fact, each service 

has judge advocates specifically 

assigned as victims’ counsel.

Editor’s Note:
14 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

Wilderness Challenge: Accepted

Navy and Marine Corps judge advocates departed Norfolk, Va., to represent the Navy JAG Corps in the 

All-Military Wilderness Challenge in Fayetteville, W. Va.

A feat of true mental and physical toughness, the Wilderness 

Challenge is an outdoor adventure race in the heart of the 

Appalachian Mountains organized by the Navy Region MidAtlantic, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation. This year the race 

consisted of an 8K mountain run, a 12-mile mountain bike 

race, a 14-mile forced hike through the mountains, a 13-mile 

whitewater raft race on the Gauley River, a seven-mile kayak 

race on the New River and an obstacle mud course challenge.

Judge advocates from Defense Service Office Southeast, 

Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic, and the 

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) split up into two 

teams. Team “Reckless Endangerment” was comprised 

of four officers: Lt. j.g. Simone Harbas, Lt. Greg Dixon, 

Lt. j.g. Victor Marquez, and Lt. j.g. Emily Jones. Team 

“Lethal Litigators” was comprised of four officers: 

Lt. Jacob Meusch, Lt. Keven Schreiber, U.S. Marine 

Corps Capt. Keaton Harrell, and Lt. Chris Caetano.

This was a truly amazing experience and a fantastic 

opportunity to meet and compete with service 

members from all branches of the Armed Forces.

Forty-one teams composed of active-duty service members, 

retirees, reservists and wounded warriors from around the 

country gathered, to compete in the race, which is approved 

Lt. j.g. Simone Harbas, Lt. Greg Dixon, Lt. Chris Caetano, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Keaton Harrell, Lt. Keven Schreiber, Lt. Jacob Meusch, Lt. j.g. Emily Jones, 

and Lt. j.g. Victor Marquez from the Defense Service Office Southeast, Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), 

represented the JAG Corps in the 12th Annual Wilderness Challenge. The Wilderness Challenge is an outdoor adventure race organized yearly by the MidAtlantic Region, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department and is located in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. Teams are made up of four 

members which complete in numerous endurance challenges over a period of three days.

By Lt .j.g. Simone Harbas, 

Defense Service Office Southeast
JAG.NAVY.MIL 15

by the United States Adventure 

Racing Association as a National 

Championship qualifying event.

Each team came together to 

prove that they had what it took 

to challenge themselves and the 

wilderness itself. As event coordinator 

Michael Bond remarked, “this is one 

of the most grueling, hard-fought 

competitions in the Armed Forces.”

Teamwork is vitally important to be 

successful in the Wilderness Challenge, 

as all team members must complete 

the entire race and all must remain 

in line-of-sight of each other at all 

times. Truly, no man could be left 

behind. Nowhere was this more 

apparent than the four-man raft race.

Team “Lethal Litigators,” 

captained by Meusch, acted together 

to heroically rescue their river guide 

who was thrown from the raft in 

the Class IV-V rapids of the Lower 

Gauley River. The team responded 

rapidly, working together to both 

paddle and steer the raft without 

assistance of the guide who was swept 

downstream. Using teamwork and 

quick thinking, they were able to catch 

up to their guide, haul him back in 

the raft, and complete the raft race.

Despite one broken wrist, one 

bruised and bloody eye, various 

cuts and scrapes, and numerous sore 

muscles, both JAG teams completed 

the race and all members were able to 

cross the finish line to compare battle 

scars and stories with the other teams.

The winning team this year came 

from the Navy, Team “Trample 

the Weak, Hurdle the Dead,” who 

completed the 52-mile course with a 

winning overall time of 7 hours, 11 

minutes, 13 seconds. Team “Reckless 

Endangerment” came in 15th with a 

time of 9 hours and 22 minutes and 

Team “Lethal Litigators” came in 31st 

with a time of 10 hours and 53 minutes.

Although we may meet across the 

courtroom against one another, this 

really brought us together as friends 

and judge advocates. It taught us all 

about the power of working together 

as a team, remaining positive, and 

the sheer power of our wills.

Lt. Christina Caetano from Team “Lethal Litigators” broke her wrist and Lt. j.g. Emily Jones from Team 

“Reckless Endangerment” received a gash under her eye during the 2012 All-Military Wilderness 

Challenge. 
16 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013

bar examination. The Network also works to educate 

state bar associations and employers on the challenges 

faced by military families and to encourage the 

hiring of military spouses. Additionally, they provide 

military spouses with a professional and personal 

network of practitioners in similar circumstances 

who can offer advice, job postings, and mentoring.

Since its founding less than two years ago, the 

MSJDN has garnered attention and support from 

the American Bar Association (ABA), the National 

Conference of Women’s Bar Associations, the National 

Conference of Chief Justices, the U.S. Chamber of 

Commerce, the National 

Military Family 

Association, and 

the Military Officers 

Association of America. 

MSJDN has also been 

recognized by “Joining 

Forces,” the program 

First Lady Michelle 

Obama and Dr. Jill 

Biden started to support 

military families.

The successes of 

MSJDN are noteworthy. 

In February 2012, the 

ABA Commission on 

Women in the Profession 

passed a resolution 

urging bar admission 

authorities to “adopt 

rules, regulations 

and procedures that 

accommodate the 

unique needs of military 

spouse attorneys who 

move frequently in support of the nation’s defense.” 

In June 2012, the State of Idaho adopted specific 

admission rules for qualified military spouse attorneys, 

and in December 2012, the State of Arizona followed 

suit. Rule changes in additional states are expected 

to follow. In 2013, the MSJDN plans to host a career 

summit and luncheon in Washington D.C. in partnership 

with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s 

Bar Association of the District of Columbia.

More information about ongoing initiatives and 

membership can be found at www.msjdn.org.

Obtaining a license to practice law is challenging and often stressful. The process typically involves 

lengthy applications and intensive studying, culminating 

in a demanding examination and an anxious wait for 

results. The process takes almost a year and costs 

thousands of dollars. Military spouses who practice law 

must endure this evolution each time they move to a new 

jurisdiction. After licensure, military spouses have the 

additional task of finding a new employer to hire them.

Silvia Schaffer, an 

attorney and spouse 

of a Navy JAG Corps 

officer, knew that by 

marrying a military 

service member she 

would face challenges 

in advancing her legal 

career. Describing 

the licensing process as “daunting, 

time consuming, difficult, and 

expensive,” Schaffer 

acknowledged that it 

would be a “much 

appreciated break 

and assist in career 

support” if jurisdictions 

moved to modify 

licensing requirements to 

accommodate military 

spouse attorneys.

Licensing requirements 

and geographic 

instability lead many 

military spouses 

to give up on their pursuit of a legal profession to 

support their service member spouse. The Military 

Spouse JD Network (MSJDN), founded in June 2011, 

is striving to change this paradigm. The MSJDN 

was founded by two military spouse attorneys, Mary 

Reding, Esq., and the Hon. Erin Masson Wirth, who 

were inspired to make a change in their profession 

to improve the lives of military families. MSJDN is 

an international network of legal professionals who 

support military spouses by advocating for reforms 

including licensure without additional state-by-state 

By Lt. Cmdr. Heather Henderson, Region Legal Service Office Southwest

Network Strives to Help Military Spouse 

Lawyers Pursue Legal Careers
JAG.NAVY.MIL 17

Civilian Personnel Management Services (Code 66) has developed 

a civilian mentoring program to increase civilian professional 

development and career satisfaction. Beginning in the fall of 2013, Code 66 

administered a Civilian Mentoring Pilot Program that ran for two three-month 

cycles from October 2012 to April 2013. Participation was open to all OJAG 

civilian employees located in the D.C. area. A total of 29 employees participated, 

ranging in grade from GS-5 to GS-15. The program afforded mentors and 

mentees the opportunity to learn more about the organizational structure 

and discuss such topics as career development, networking, goal setting and 

leadership.

Participants provided feedback during and after the pilot program. The 

feedback was consistently positive, with 91 percent giving the program high 

marks. Mentors and mentees communicated that they benefited from the 

experience. Mentors’ supervisors showed support for the program as well, stating 

that “this program has the ability to be an excellent source of knowledge for 

employees.”

After the pilot cycles were completed, Naval Legal Service Command 

activities were surveyed and 40 percent of respondents stated they would be 

interested in participating in a mentoring program. NLSC input also included 

program concept, desired goals and benefits, and viability of virtual mentoring

Most commands felt that e-mentoring is a viable option, but prefer faceto-face mentoring. Commands also stated that they expect some challenges 

in coordinating across time zones. All input has been analyzed and program 

improvement recommendations are now under review. 

Civilian

How to Get Involved with Mentoring

Starting in January 2014, the JAG Corps 

will open civilian mentorship opportunities 

to all civilians in all locations. This program 

will introduce “virtual mentoring” through 

technologies in order to better connect our 

civilian staff in all duty stations. If you are 

interested in becoming a mentor or mentee, 

please contact Mr. Nathan Greathouse for more 

information. Please watch your email and other 

notices for more information, and get involved!

Mentoring Pilot Program

More SATISFIED with My Job

More Valued in the Organization

More Socially Connected in the Workplace

6

5

4

3

2

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

6

5

4

3

2

1

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

Strongly

Disagree 

Strongly

Agree

Strongly

Disagree 

Strongly

Agree

Strongly

Disagree 

Strongly

Agree

Mentors

Mentees
18 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 

Criminal Law 

On December 26, 2013, the President signed the Fiscal Year 

2014 National Defense Authorization 

Act (FY14 NDAA), codifying over 

30 reforms to military justice and 

sexual assault response systems in 

the military, including immediate 

revisions to articles of the Uniform 

Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 

and new provisions and policies 

taking effect over the next year. 

These reforms are in addition to the 

ongoing review of systems used to 

investigate and prosecute adult sexual 

assault crimes undertaken by the 

Response Systems Panel established 

by Congress and the Comprehensive 

Review of the UCMJ directed by 

the Secretary of Defense. Some 

key NDAA changes are highlighted 

below.

A major theme of these reforms 

is the expansion and protection of 

victim rights. Victims of sexual 

assault are entitled to advice and 

assistance from legal counsel, and 

communications with counsel are 

protected by the attorney-client 

privilege. Article 46, 

UCMJ now requires defense 

counsel to request interviews 

of sexual assault victims 

through the prosecutor when 

notified that the victim 

may be a witness. Upon request, 

the victim has the right to have the 

prosecutor, victim’s attorney, or a 

victim advocate present during such 

interviews. 

Additionally, the federal 

Crime Victims’ Rights Act is now 

incorporated into the UCMJ. The 

rights apply to victims of crime 

at all stages of the military justice 

process and include the right to be 

heard at certain hearings. Congress 

also directed the development and 

implementation of mechanisms to 

enforce these rights and sanction 

violators. 

Another key theme in the NDAA 

is the placement of limitations on 

convening authority discretion in 

cases involving charges of rape, 

sexual assault, rape and sexual assault 

of a child, forcible sodomy, and 

attempts to commit these offenses. 

Convening authority discretion is 

limited in both pretrial referral and 

post-trial actions. At the pretrial 

referral stage, where a general 

court-martial convening authority’s 

staff judge advocate (GCMCA SJA) 

recommends referral of charges 

to court-martial in formal, written 

advice and the convening authority 

declines to refer the charges, the case 

must be forwarded for review by the 

Service Secretary. Alternatively, if 

the GCMCA SJA recommends against 

referring charges to court-martial and 

the convening authority agrees, the 

case must be forwarded for review by 

the next superior GCMCA. 

With respect to post-trial action 

under Article 60, UCMJ, when an 

accused is convicted of any offense 

described above or of an offense 

for which the maximum authorized 

punishment exceeds two years, or the 

accused is sentenced to a dismissal, 

dishonorable discharge, bad conduct 

discharge, or confinement for more 

than six months, the convening 

authority may not dismiss a charge 

or specification or change a finding 

of guilty to a lesser included offense 

except as part of a pretrial agreement 

or, in limited circumstances, upon the 

recommendation of the trial counsel. 

Furthermore, victims are given 

a formal opportunity to submit 

comments to the convening 

authority before action is taken 

on the case. In cases where the A convening authority dismisses 

major theme of these 

reforms is the expansion 

and protection of victim 

rights. 
JAG.NAVY.MIL 19

or changes a charge, or reduces 

an adjudged sentence, a written 

explanation must be inserted into the 

record. 

While each Service policy differs, 

most convicted sex offenders will 

be processed for separation from the 

military. However, the NDAA also 

mandates that a notation be placed 

in a member’s service record if the 

member is convicted of a “sexrelated offense” by a court-martial 

or receives non-judicial punishment 

or administrative action for such 

an offense. Commanding officers 

are required to review newlyreporting members’ service records 

to familiarize themselves with the 

member’s history. 

Within the year, UCMJ Article 

32 pretrial investigations will also 

be revised. Its scope and purpose 

will be limited to a determination 

of whether probable cause exists to 

believe an offense was committed and 

the accused committed it. The new 

“preliminary hearing” will no longer 

be used for the purpose of defense 

discovery and crime victims will not 

be required to testify at the hearing.

Other reforms include limiting 

jurisdiction over the sex-related 

offenses discussed above to general 

courts-martial and mandatory 

dismissal or dishonorable discharge 

upon conviction. Additionally, 

consensual sodomy is removed as 

an offense and the five-year statute 

of limitations for the enumerated 

offenses of sexual assault and 

sexual assault of a child is removed, 

permitting prosecution for those 

offenses regardless of when 

committed (but only for offenses 

committed after December 26, 2013).

The Services remain focused on 

reforms that ensure our military 

justice system remains fair, effective 

and efficient, holds offenders 

appropriately accountable, protects 

the due process rights of the accused, 

provides justice to victims, and 

maintains the highest standard of 

discipline.
20 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 

Book by David McRaney

Book review provided by Lt. Cmdr. John Barclay Reese, Technology, Operations & Plans (Code 67)

You are Not so Smart: 

I

am at an age where I cannot help 

but strike up conversations with 

perfect strangers while waiting in 

line. It is one of the many benefits 

of being an outgoing, middle-aged 

man. So, while waiting for a haircut 

(and eyebrow trim...seriously, when 

did this happen?!) recently at the 

Washington Navy Yard barber shop, 

I was pretending not to watch The 

Today Show with the other patrons 

when Matt Lauer made a statement 

that prompted me to engage the 

gentleman sitting next to me with 

the observation, “My mother has 

always said that if we only knew 

how uninterested other people 

are in us, we’d be a lot happier.” 

To which the gentleman replied, 

“That’s called the spotlight effect, 

and I’m reading a book about it that 

you might really enjoy.” Eureka!

And so I was introduced to David 

McRaney’s You Are Not So Smart: 

Why You Have Too Many Friends 

on Facebook, Why Your Memory 

is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other 

Ways You’re Deluding Yourself, a 

delightful collection of enduring 

myths that McRaney, a self-described 

“psychology nerd,” challenges with 

a great deal of wit, humor, and no 

small amount of research. Each 

concise chapter, which can be taken 

in any order, is introduced with a 

common misconception, followed 

by the truth, and an explanation of 

why we all are victims of our own 

cognitive biases, heuristics (mental 

shortcuts), and logical fallacies. 

For instance, the Dunning-Kruger 

Effect: “The Misconception: You 

can predict how well you would 

perform in any situation. The 

Truth: You are generally pretty bad 

at estimating your competence and 

the difficulty of complex tasks.”

Sound familiar? Are you a 

judge advocate who has ever had 

his hat handed to him in a “no 

brainer” situation? Just me, huh?

Well, fear not, because despite 

the book’s title, McRaney is not out 

to make us all feel inadequate and 

foolish; rather he debunks forty-eight 

of these misconceptions and offers all 

of us the opportunity to become more 

self-aware and, hopefully, avoid such 

psychological pitfalls in the future. 

No small feat, however, given that 

we have developed these “fictions” 

over the course of the entirety 

of human existence in order to 

negotiate a scary world that requires 

such delusion in order to “stay 

sane.” Also, as McRaney points 

out in Chapter 3, we are subject 

McRaney is not out 

to make us all feel 

inadequate and foolish; 

rather he debunks forty-eight 

of these misconceptions and 

offers all of us the opportunity 

to become more self-aware and, hopefully, 

avoid such psychological pitfalls in the future. 

Read any great books lately? Submit your book review to 

natalie.morehouse@navy.mil.

to the “Confirmation Bias,” which 

means that our opinions are “not the 

result of years of rational, objective 

analysis,” but “the result of years of 

paying attention to information that 

confirmed what [we] believed, while 

ignoring information that challenged 

[our] preconceived notions.”

And there it is, three years of 

law school right down the drain.

Don’t worry, even if you aren’t 

up for a little self-reflection and the 

shattering of your preconceived 

notions, you will enjoy, as McRaney 

explains, applying these lessons to 

others and reading the details of case 

study after case study in which human 

subjects never fail to disappoint. At 

the very least, you may find some 

comfort in better understanding why 

there’s no need to get so upset while 

watching pundits say ridiculous things 

on twenty-four hour news channels 

and, perhaps most importantly, you 

will be possessed of a whole catalog 

of interesting anecdotes with which to 

start a conversation with strangers.

Book Review

Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory is 

Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You’re Deluding Yourself
Photos From The Fleet 

JAG.NAVY.MIL 21

Chief Legalman (SW/AW) José Macumba, Jr., Defense Service Office North, receives his collar device from his son during a chief pinning ceremony.

Lt. Corey Bean, Region Legal Service Office 

Japan, competes in a triathlon in Japan. Bean has 

established himself as an accomplished triathlete 

on two continents. Both at his previous duty 

station in San Diego and in Sasebo, Japan; Bean 

reached the podium in several triathlons. 

Commander, Naval Legal Service Command, Rear Adm. James Crawford cut the ribbon for the 

new JAG Consolidated Administrative Business Office (JCAB). The JCAB office consolidates 

NLSC’s security, travel, and supply into one centralized office in order to improve the administrative 

support for the members of NLSC and ensure the JAG Corps is compliant on all administrative 

requirements.
Photos From The Fleet 

22 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 

Judge advocates of the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs in Summer 2013: Lt. Cmdr. Barbara A 

Kagle, Cmdr. Aundrea Taplin, Capt. Kirk Foster, 

Cmdr. Dom Flatt, and Lt. Cmdr. Erin Quay. The 

Office of Legislative Affairs plans, develops, and 

coordinates relationships between representatives 

of the DoN and members of the U.S. Congress.

Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Mitchell, Rule of Law Field Force – Afghanistan, awaits transport to conduct a 

rule of law visit in Helmand province. ROLFF-A’s mission is to provide essential field capabilities 

and security to Afghan, coalition and civil-military rule of law project teams in non-permissive areas 

of Afghanistan, in order to build Afghan criminal justice capacity and promote the legitimacy of the 

Afghan government. Mitchell is a reservist assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet legal unit.

Two years ago, the Navy JAG Corps community lost one of its own, Lt. Jentso Hwang. In his memory, the JAG Corps sponsored a 5K run at Joint Base 

Anacostia-Bolling. Hwang was accepted into the JAG Corps Student Program and commissioned in October 2005. He completed Naval Justice School in 

2006 and reported to the Naval Legal Service Office North Central. In 2008, Hwang deployed to Al Anbar, Iraq with the 1st Marine Logistics Group, and earned 

his Fleet Marine Force Qualification. After his first tour Hwang clerked for the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals.
Photos From The Fleet 

JAG.NAVY.MIL 23

Region Legal Service Office Southwest and Defense Service Office West staff finish up the last of the long line of clients during the Veteran’s Village 

of San Diego Stand Down 2013. The stand down is an annual three-day event where an estimated one thousand of San Diego’s homeless veterans 

can receive a variety of free services, including help finding employment, substance abuse counseling, health care, and legal assistance.

Lt. Cmdr. Ben Ammerman, Combined Security 

Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A), 

speaks with local children in Kabul, Afghanistan 

during a walk from International Security Assistance Force Headquarters. Ammerman is serving 

as an operational law attorney in the Office of the 

Staff Judge Advocate at Camp Eggers.

Members of Region Legal Service Office Midwest get ready to head out for a bike ride along the 

Green Bay Trail for command PT. Left to right: Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Trunnell, Lt. j.g. Taurean Brown, Lt. 

j.g. Drew Austria, Lt. Andrew Murray, Lt. Howard Smith, Lt. j.g. Adam Smith, Legalman 1st Class 

Earl Brown, Legalman 2nd Class Deandra Whitehead, Legalman 2nd Class Dameon Smith and 

Legalman 2nd Class Alexis Lowe.
24 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 JAG MAGAZINE - 2012

Embracing the winter spirit at Region Legal Service Office Midwest (RLSO MW), Lt. Cmdr. Kelly 

Trunnell, Lt. Liz O’Connor, Lt. j.g Tom Bright and 

Fire Controlman Percy Francois built a snowman 

during a recent snow storm in front of RLSO MW 

offices at Naval Station Great Lakes.

Lt. Rachel Weidemann, deputy mission judge advocate for Pacific Partnership 2013, talks with a child in Seghe, Solomon Islands. Pacific Partnership 

is an annual deployment of forces designed to strengthen maritime and humanitarian partnerships during disaster relief operations, while providing 

humanitarian, medical, dental and engineering assistance to nations of the Pacific.

Photos From The Fleet 

Legalman 2nd Class Alina Davis sends an email from the legal office on the aircraft carrier USS 

Carl Vinson (CVN 70), while underway off the coast of Southern California conducting unit-level 

training. 

U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob G. Sisco/Released

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released
JAG.NAVY.MIL 25

Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) legal team after completing the Airborne 

Operations on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Pictured left to right: Army Sgt. 1st Class Samuel 

Robles, Cmdr. Kimberley McCann, staff judge advocate, Army Maj. Franklin Rosenblatt, deputy 

staff judge advocate.

Legalman 1st Class Demieka Wilson and the 

combined first class petty officer associations 

served up food and drinks for the flag football 

tournament “Snow Bowl” attendees at Misawa 

Air Base. Naval Air Facility Misawa and several 

of its tenant commands competed against each 

other on a field covered in almost two feet of snow 

aboard this northern Japan-located U.S. military 

installation.

Senior Chief Legalman Lyn Pirtle inspects Damage Controlman 3rd Class Celeste Jimenez’ uniform during a personnel inspection of the Legalman 

Accessions Class at Naval Justice School.

Photos From The Fleet 

JAG.NAVY.MIL 25

U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Legalman K. Sigurdsson
Photos From The Fleet 

26 JAG MAGAZINE - 2013 

Ms. Sandy Dixon of Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic at the RLSO Mid-Atlantic health and 

wellness safety stand down. The event provided resources to promote safety, health and quality of 

life through an exhibition of information and services. Some of the topics covered included driver 

safety and motorcycle safety information, home fire-prevention safety, and additional health and 

wellness topics.

Lt. Ben Sandel, staff judge advocate for Naval 

Base Guam, takes a break from the tropical 

weather of Guam to travel to the Himalaya 

Mountains. He poses here at 17,765 feet above 

sea-level at Thoron-La Pass in the Manang 

District of Nepal.

Members of Region Legal Service Office Southwest and Defense Service Office West got together Thanksgiving morning for a JAG Turkey Bowl football 

game. RLSO SW supports the operational readiness of Navy commands and Sailors by providing legal guidance, support services and training in the areas 

of military justice, administrative law and legal assistance. DSO West provides legal representation to military service members at administrative separation 

boards, boards of inquiry and courts-martial, in addition to providing advice to service members on defense-related topics such as nonjudicial punishment.
Photos From The Fleet 

JAG.NAVY.MIL 27

Twenty of the Navy’s Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) attended the U.S. Air Force’s Special Victims’ 

Counsel Course at the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School, Oct. 15-18, 2013. Students 

received training in effective victim interaction, policies and procedures related to victim legal 

support, and practical advocacy of victim rights and interests. The Navy established the VLC 

Program to provide additional support and legal counsel to victims of sexual assault.

A team from the Region Legal Service Office Midwest traveled to the VA Hospital in Milwaukee to draft and execute a will for a paralyzed wounded warrior. 

The team consisted of Lt. Josh Bennett, Petty Officer Emily Thomas, Ms. Cyndi Bartelt, and Mr. Tom Digan. The team conducted a bedside intake interview at 

the VA hospital and, with the help of the local Navy Operational Support Center, was able to prepare the will for execution. RLSO Midwest is located at Naval 

Station Great Lakes, Ill., and has a branch office in Millington, Tenn. The office oversees a geographic area encompassing 16 states. 

Chief Legalman Sean Harris goes through an 

obstacle course at Naval Base Coronado as a 

part of the San Diego Chief Petty Officer Legacy 

Academy. The academy is a six-day course in 

which the selectees live aboard the USS Midway 

Museum and participate in preservation activities, 

leadership training, community service projects 

and learn lessons about the history and heritage 

of the U.S. Navy and chief petty officer community. 
Photos From The Fleet 

Office of the Judge Advocate General

Public Affairs Office

1322 Patterson Ave., SE, Suite 3000

Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066

Judge advocates assigned to Region Legal Service Office Southwest and 

Defense Service Office West pose for a picture outside of 3rd Fleet headquarters 

in San Diego, Calif. The judge advocates received a briefing on operational law 

and 3rd Fleet activities, along with a tour of headquarters. The visit was put on 

by RLSO SW and gives new judge advocates an opportunity to gain exposure 

to different areas of law, military knowledge, and leadership development.