JAG Outreach 

in Detroit

JAG Volume 2 2008 

Magazine of the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps
INSIDE JAG MAGAZINE

5 Year in Review: JAG Corps Accomplishments and the Way Ahead

6 JAG Promoted to Vice Admiral

7 My Life in Afghanistan

8 Guidelines: Political Activities

9 NBLSA Observes 40th Anniversary, Welcomes Navy JAG Corps

10 The Thrill of the EURSWA Detachment

12 Recruiting for a Diverse Corps

15 A User’s Guide to E-Mail

Regular Columns

Shipmate Spotlight ....................................................................................................................16

Fleet News ...................................................................................................................................17 

JAG Corps 2020..........................................................................................................................22

NSPS ...........................................................................................................................................23

Book Review: Starship Troopers .............................................................................................24

JAG Corps Alumni ....................................................................................................................26 

Milestones ...................................................................................................................................27

Photos from the Fleet ................................................................................................................30
JAG

Judge Advocate General

Vice Admiral Bruce MacDonald

Deputy Judge Advocate General,

Commander, Naval Legal Service Command

Rear Admiral James W. Houck

Deputy Judge Advocate General,

Reserve affairs & operations

Deputy Commander, Naval Legal service command

Rear Admiral Norton C. Joerg

Command Master Chief,

Office of The judge advocate general ,

Naval Legal Service Command

Master Chief Stephen S. Distefano

Reserve Command Master Chief, 

Office of The judge advocate general ,

Naval Legal Service Command

Master Chief Tim Ayoub

Editorial Board

LT Chris Ray

LT Anne Marks

LT Christopher Colby

Public Affairs Officer

Ms. Jen Zeldis

Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Ms. Natalie Morehouse

The JAG Magazine is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. 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 United States Navy. Address changes 

and submissions may be sent by e-mail to Ms. Natalie Morehouse at natalie.morehouse@navy.mil or by mail 

to: Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy; 1322 Patterson Avenue, SE, Building 33, Suite 3000; 

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

NAVAL JUSTICE SCHOOL 

Capt Adam Workman

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE North CENTRAL

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE ndw

LT Paul Jenkins

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE EURSWA

LCDR Marc Rosen

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE pacific yokosuka

CDR Tom Dorwin

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE hawaii

LT Jason Levy

Naval Legal Service Office Central

LCDR Andy House

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE MIDWEST

CDR David Dow

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE MID-ATLANTIC

LT Courtney Lewis

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE MID-ATLANTIC

LT Mike Marinello

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE northwest

LT Alan Fowler

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE NORTHWEST

LTJG Darcy Utter

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE SOUTHEAST

LT Deborah Loomis

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE SOUTHEAST

LN1 Sherry Hoffman

NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE southwest

LT Trevor Grant

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE southwest

LTJG Chad Bayse

REGION LIAISONS

On the Front Cover

LCDR DeAndrea Fuller and 

a law student at the National 

Black Law Students Association Convention. Read more on 

page 9!
4

BRUCE MacDONALD

Vice Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy

NORTON C. JOERG

Rear Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy

The Judge Advocate General

Deputy Judge Advocate General for Reserve Affairs and Operations

This remains a very busy and exciting time for our active-Reserve community. 

We are making great strides in implementing 

our active-Reserve integration and alignment 

strategies, at the unit level, in the Fleet, and, 

in particular, in answering the call for support 

in Afghanistan and Iraq. I will touch on just a 

few highlights here. 

First, however, let me congratulate CAPT 

Steve Talson on his selection as my relief. 

Steve will make a great leader for the Reserve Law Program. He will 

bring a great depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to the 

job, and I could not be more confident that our Program will be in very 

good hands. 

The Reserve Component continues to provide over 25 percent of all 

individual augmentees, and has been in the news recently in profiles of 

our support to the Office of Military Commissions. We can be sure that 

this demand signal will grow steadily over the next few months, as the 

Commissions efforts intensify, and as Navy’s significant contributions 

to the war efforts continue. I salute all of our deploying members, active 

and Reserve, for their dedication and many sacrifices. May everyone 

complete their tours safely and with continued success. 

Our extended effort to restructure our units and billets - our “billet 

scrub” - is nearly complete. This process took place over two years. 

Our first stage, completed last year, was an effort to arrive at a partial implementation on the way to the full plan. We made some quick 

changes that made sense, including moving billets to set up Region 

Legal Service Office support units in Hawaii and Japan, among other 

similar moves, in order to address emergent and obvious needs. We 

have worked our other changes more slowly, during the second stage, 

to ensure the understanding, comfort and buy-in of our “stakeholders” 

– each of you, active and Reserve, leaders and members, alike. 

A second bit of news is about a Navy Reserve business review called 

“Institutionalization of Operational Support of the Navy Reserve”. 

This is a fast-track process driven by Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk toward a completion date in September. Its aim is to establish the 

changes, including statutory, regulatory, budgetary, and fiscal, needed 

for the Navy to more effectively take advantage of the Reserve Component’s operational support mission.

This new effort recognizes the Navy Reserve lacks the statutory 

and regulatory underpinnings to perform the operational support mission properly because it has always been organized and structured as 

a training-centric strategic Reserve in preparation for a major national 

security need. Though the strategic mission remains, the operational 

support mission now stands as its equal in the rationale for and employment of a Navy Reserve. 

CAPT Talson and I are committed, and stand ready, to assist your 

efforts. Let us hear from you and let us work together.

I

recently attended the ABA National 

Convention where I had the pleasure 

of talking about your accomplishments 

this year. I was delighted to report to the 

ABA the positive impact you make on our 

Navy and our Nation, and could not be 

more proud of our contributions. In this 

edition of the JAG Magazine, we focus on 

the Legal Community’s accomplishments 

and the strength of our diverse Corps. 

In our cover story, MC1 Linda Pepka 

describes the warm welcome we received at the National Black Law 

Students Association (NBLSA) Convention. This trip stands out 

among the many that I have taken as the JAG because it reminded 

me of how important demographic and experiential diversity is to the 

enrichment of the legal community. There were a variety of viewpoints and talents represented at the NBLSA Convention. We learned 

a lot from the trip and exposed many young law school students to the 

mission of our Navy JAG Corps. 

Later in this issue, LCDR Jennie Goldsmith writes about our new 

recruiting program. This plan to recruit and retain the best and brightest people possible starts and ends with each of you. We are using our 

own talented people to represent the Navy JAG Corps to the American 

public so that we can continue to recruit the very best.

CDR Sherri Lewis authors a timely article providing guidance on 

political activities for all military and federal employees. All Legal 

Community members are encouraged to vote; however, we must be 

careful to ensure that our actions during this political season do not 

imply military endorsement of a particular party or candidate.

We have added a new section to this edition called “Shipmate Spotlight.” In this section, we feature reader submissions about members 

of our Legal Community who are taking on difficult assignments and 

showing innovative leadership. We hope you enjoy the stories highlighted in this edition and encourage you to send us submissions about 

the outstanding work of your shipmates for future magazines. 

In this edition LT James Kirby reviews the book Starship Troopers. 

I commend LT Kirby on his superb overview of the book and for his 

insightful discussion related to our military profession. We all benefit 

from book reviews such as this one, and encourage submissions by all 

JAG Magazine readers. 

Most importantly, I want to thank each of you for your exceptional 

performance over the past year. I am extremely proud of each and 

every member of the Navy Legal Community for the outstanding support you have provided to the Navy and our JAG Corps. In a year of 

unprecedented demand for our services, you have met and answered 

every call with poise and expertise. You represent the very best our 

nation has to offer and I appreciate the sacrifices you willingly make 

to serve our country. 

We hope you find the information in the JAG Magazine useful and 

interesting. As always, we welcome and solicit your feedback on this 

issue of the magazine and any of the ideas presented in its pages. We 

hope that you will explore the pieces in this issue at length, whether 

you are a curious web browser or a member of the JAG Corps. 

Thank you for your readership and your continued support. 
5

Year in Review: 

By Jen Zeldis

Public Affairs Office

JAG Corps Accomplishments and the Way Ahead

Year in Review continued page 6

There are many programs and initiatives the JAG Corps is working towards 

over the next 12 months. Leadership has 

set out a vision and is looking for innovative ideas to continue to improve the 

Corps. Your ideas are essential to this 

process. Here are a few initiatives in the 

works. 

Way Ahead: Work/Life Balance

Committed to life/work balance, the 

JAG Corps recently announced the first 

phase of a formal telecommuting program. Tailoring a larger Navy initiative 

to the needs of the JAG Corps, active duty 

and civilians in certain areas may telecommute up to two days each week. The 

What’s next?

program will be phased-in throughout the 

JAG Corps in the coming months.

Way Ahead: Trial Defense Command 

Pilot

The JAG Corps continues to test the 

concept of a Defense Command by conducting pilot programs in the Southeast 

and EURSWA regions. Through key 

metrics, including CMTIS data and client 

and employee opinions, the JAG Corps 

will make a decision about the pilot program in the summer 2009.

Way Ahead: Active-Reserve Integration

The Reserve Component established 

three pillars for their practice: military justice litigation, legal assistance staff judge 

advocate work, and specialty work. With 

these three pillars, the Reserve Component will work on career paths, promotions, recruiting, and retention of their 

officers and enlisted members. 

Way Ahead: Workspace Trainer

The legalman community has started 

developing a comprehensive and standardized training program called Workspace Trainer. This initiative will provide 

all of our legalmen with the opportunity 

to complete distance learning programs 

similar to the continuing paralegal education that paralegals in the civilian 

sector receive. 

I

nnovation is changing the Navy legal world. While the JAG 

Corps’ focus on providing solutions to legal issues involving military operations, organizations, and personnel has 

not changed, this year brought much progress towards the JAG 

Corps’ vision of 2020. The following is a snapshot of some of 

the major accomplishments:

Military Justice Litigation Selection Boards

The strategic vision detailed in JAG Corps 2020 recognizes 

military justice as one of the JAG Corps’ core competencies. 

The JAG Corps established in 2007 a military justice litigation 

career track to develop litigators and judges who can effectively 

and efficiently handle complex cases, including national security cases, military commissions, and high-visibility courtsmartial. In May, 2008, the JAG Corps held its second board to 

consider applicants for the military justice litigation qualification 

(MJLQ). This board, combined with the first MJLQ board held 

in October, 2007, has given the JAG Corps 13 designated military justice specialists and 16 designated military justice experts. 

There are currently 49 billets planned to be filled by specialists 

and experts. 

Facilities

A new $14.8 million state-of-the-art trial and appellate courthouse was completed this summer. The 48,000 square feet 

building will provide modern offices for 76 JAG Corps personnel, including the AJAG for Military Justice, the Chief Appellate Judge and the judiciary of the Navy-Marine Corps Court 

of Criminal Appeals, Codes 20, 40, 45, and 46. It includes a 

1,500 square foot “smart” courtroom with the latest in courtroom security packages. Bremerton and Great Lakes facilities 

also completed total overhauls this year, and the Norfolk claims 

building received a $500,000 renovation. Finally, courthouse 

security improvements have been made to each NLSC courtroom, bringing the JAG Corps’ overall security compliance to 

over 90 percent of CNLSC’s goal.

Post-Graduate School

The JAG Corps is increasing attendance at post-graduate 

school, with the goal of giving every career judge advocate the 

opportunity to obtain an LL.M. There is no longer a post-graduate school selection board, and officers eligible for attendance 

now range from senior lieutenants to junior commanders.

The JAG Corps’ annual quota at the Army JAG School has 

increased from 3 to 5, with an ultimate goal of 10. Both the 1201 

(Military Law) and 1203 (International Law) P-Codes are available at the Army JAG School. VADM MacDonald explained 

at the recent JAG Training Symposium that Army JAG School 

graduates will be considered for key operational assignments 

along with all other LL.M. recipients.

The JAG Corps has also increased annual attendance quotas 

at civilian institutions from 14 to 16, with an ultimate goal of 

19. Finally, the JAG Corps is reviewing the possibility of specialized post-graduate programs in intelligence law, information 

operations law, and national security law.

Aggressive Regional and National Recruiting Plans

Each NLSC command is assigned law schools in their geographical area for recruiting. The commands now are tracking 

candidates through the entire accessions process, from recruiting 

events to candidate commissioning. In the past three years, overall applications have increased 54 percent. Female applications 

are up from 21 percent to 30 percent, and diversity applications 

are up from 17 percent to 26 percent. As a result of the JAG 

Corps’ efforts, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command provided an additional $51,000 for recruiting in fiscal year 2008.
6

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) promoted the Judge 

Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy to vice admiral 

during a ceremony in the Pentagon on August 4.

VADM Bruce MacDonald was joined 

by his wife, Karen, who pinned on his 

third star. 

Before administering the oath of 

office, CNO ADM Gary Roughead noted 

that this was truly a “historic event,” and 

told VADM MacDonald that he could 

think of no better leader or mentor to be 

the first three-star JAG.

The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act advanced the position of the 

JAG in the Navy, Army, and Air Force to 

the rank of vice admiral or lieutenant general. The legislation elevates the position’s 

stature giving the JAG greater access to 

service leaders. 

VADM MacDonald’s career began in 1979 as main propulBy Jen Zeldis

Public Affairs Office

sion assistant and navigator for the USS Hepburn (FF 1055). He 

served in several other fleet positions before his selection for the 

Law Education Program in 1984. His JAG Corps career started 

in Naval Legal Service Office San Diego. He had subsequent 

tours aboard USS Independence (CV 62), United States Naval 

Forces Korea, executive officer for Naval Legal Service Office 

Northwest, Trial Service Office West 

Detachment Bremerton, Commander 

7th Fleet in Yokosuka, commanding 

officer of Naval Legal Service Office 

Northwest, Special Counsel to the Chief 

of Naval Operations and Commander, 

Naval Legal Service Command. In July 

2006, MacDonald assumed his current 

position as Judge Advocate General of 

the Navy. 

VADM MacDonald graduated from 

the College of the Holy Cross with a 

Bachelor of Arts degree in English. 

He received his juris doctorate from 

California Western School of Law. 

He also has a Master of Laws degree from 

Harvard Law School. He is admitted to practice before the courts 

of the State of California and the United States District Court for 

the Southern District of California. 

JAG Promoted to Vice Admiral

Year in Review continued from page 5

CNO ADM Gary Roughead administers the oath to 

VADM Bruce MacDonald, promoting him to a threestar. The top Navy uniformed lawyer now becomes 

a three-star billet.

Center for Naval Analysis study

This year, the JAG Corps completed the majority of the 

Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) functional review. CNA 

is highly respected within the Department of Defense for 

its ability to provide an objective and independent study on 

issues facing the Nation’s naval forces. The JAG Corps’ 

query to CNA was to determine, through use of detailed 

metrics and other means, the best force structure mixture 

and right end-strength to serve the Navy and Department of 

Defense.

CNA conducted the assessment in three stages. The first 

stage defined and cataloged the myriad services provided by 

each staff judge advocate, Region Legal Service Office, and 

Naval Legal Service Office around the world, as well as the 

Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary, Appellate Judiciary, and 

OJAG staff. Next, CNA determined the optimal JAG Corps 

force structure and force mix. This assessment resulted in a 

list of the optimal number of JAG Corps members needed 

per location to accomplish the JAG Corps’ mission. Finally, 

from this point, CNA will develop a force structure tradeoff matrix, which will permit the JAG Corps to correlate its 

overall manning requirements to validated missions. 

Reachback to Civilian Experts

The JAG Corps hired several new civilian personnel this 

year. The JAG Corps depends on civilian continuity and 

expertise to provide reachback for legal questions from the 

Fleet. The following OJAG Codes have civilian legal subject matter experts: Code 10 (International/Operational 

Law) Deputy Division Director Mr. Joseph Baggett; Code 

11 (Admiralty) Deputy Division Director Mr. Chris Spain; 

Code 13 (Administrative Law) Deputy Division Director Mr. 

Lawson “Bob” Almand; Code 14 (General Litigation) Deputy 

Division Director Mr. Grant Lattin; Code 15 (Claims and Tort 

Litigation) Deputy Division Director Mr. Hal Dronberger; 

and Code 16 (Legal Assistance) Deputy Division Director Mr. 

George Reilly.

Legalman Rating

All legalmen now have the opportunity to receive an Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in paralegal studies from 

Roger Williams University. After more than a year of working in conjunction with Roger Williams University and the 

ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals, the ABA approved 

Roger Williamsí Associateís Degree in Paralegal Studies. The 

Naval Justice School completed two more offerings of the new 

legalman accessions course, which provided 33 graduates with 

10 ABA-approved credit hours toward their paralegal degrees. 
7

I

still remember the day I volunteered for my tour. I called 

my wife Linda and told her that the billets were out and that 

I was thinking of going to Afghanistan. Needless to say, 

she was shocked. We had talked about taking an individual 

augmentee (IA) tour but the subject had drifted to the back of 

our minds after our last PCS and the diagnosis of our oldest son 

with autism. I told my wife that this would be the best time for 

me to do my IA tour because our sons were still too young to 

remember daddy being gone for 6 months. It was a good time 

in my career as well, and I knew it was the right thing to do. I 

wanted to do my part to support my fellow Sailors and Soldiers 

and I knew IAs were needed. So, my family and I made the 

choice and I sent that e-mail that would start me on the path to 

Afghanistan. 

A short time later I received the 

call confirming my request. I would 

be training at Ft. Dix, N.J. I arrived 

at Ft. Dix on a sunny June day and 

it was hot! Little did I know that I 

would come close to heat exhaustion 

time and time again in those few glorious weeks in New Jersey. I went 

through training with approximately 

20 other Sailors who would be going 

to the same command as me. We 

became a tight knit group from the 

start. We received almost every kind 

of training I could imagine, such as 

identifying IEDs, combat life-saving 

skills, going through the gas chamber (again!), and various convoy and 

patrol lanes. When I stepped on the 

plane bound for Kuwait and ultimately Afghanistan, I felt like I 

was prepared for my time and ready for anything. 

We left the states from McGuire AFB. My group stayed one 

night in Kuwait and then boarded the plane for Bagram, Afghanistan. Most of that morning of our arrival is a complete blur. 

After a few hours to clean up, we reported to the base operations building to find out where we would be working. Only 

about five Sailors ended up going to Kabul, while the rest of 

us were assigned to the operations building. I think having 

the other Sailors around helped me settle in and get used to the 

Army way of doing business. I was detailed as the senior paralegal with Task Force Cincinnatus. Task Force Cincinnatus is 

responsible for five provinces in northeastern Afghanistan. We 

had approximately 1,300 people within our task force and subordinate units. We were responsible for all base operations from 

force protection to land management. I worked in the Task 

By LN1 Richard R. Cocklin, 

RLSO MIDLANT Branch office Brunswick

Force Staff Judge Advocate’s (SJA’s) office and handled most of 

the standard work of military justice. 

I volunteered to assist a Military Police battalion with an 

administrative separation board. Our first board commenced at 

noon and went until 4 a.m! Even though it was a long board, I 

had a great time. It was interesting to see how the Army conducts boards and it was a learning experience for both the SJA 

and myself. 

One new issue that had popped into our office was the Afghan 

Rule of Law Program (ARoLP). The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) runs and administers the program. 

We received training from USAID about their mission and 

what the military could do to help. We arranged meetings with 

local governors and coordinated training for Afghan attorneys 

and court personnel. It was a very interesting experience. We 

were trained about the Afghan justice system step by step. We 

were shown how an idea becomes law. The training opened my 

eyes to the state of the Afghan legal 

system. USAID taught us how much 

the Afghans needed our help. 

As a legalman assigned to Base 

Operations, I did not perform security duties or go outside the wire for 

any reason. But, I repeatedly watched 

my fellow Soldiers and Sailors leave 

the wire in support of our mission 

and wanted to do my part. I took it 

upon myself to approach one of the 

Sergeant Majors and ask if there was 

room for me to go out to assist the 

Personal Security Detachment. Surprisingly, he accepted my request 

without hesitation and offered me a 

spot on the convoy that was scheduled for the next day! 

When I showed up the next morning, all the Soldiers were 

laughing and joking like it was an everyday thing. That’s when 

I realized something; it was an everyday thing for them. They 

left the wire every day and returned to tell about it. When we 

left for the mission that day, I will never forget the feeling I had 

when we locked and loaded our weapons. I prayed that all the 

training I had would kick in at the right time. Well, needless to 

say, we completed the mission and returned safely. I was happy 

to be back on base and even happier that I had helped out. So, 

after that, I volunteered two more times to go out. I was glad I 

was able to see the country and its people. 

 Doing my IA tour and being in Afghanistan has been a personal 

and professionally rewarding experience. I would recommend 

that anyone take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity 

to work with the local nationals, to learn about another culture, 

and to make a difference in the future of Afghanistan. 

My Life in Afghanistan 

Honorable Donald Winter during his recent visit to 

Afghanistan with LN1 Cocklin.
8

I

n order to prepare for the upcoming political elections, all 

active duty, retired, and Reserve members of the Armed 

Forces should be familiar with the contents of the Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 1344.10 of Feb. 19, 

2008 (subject: Political Activities by Members of the Armed 

Forces). This directive marks a substantial change from the 

previous directive on political activities. The underlying 

policy remains, however, that any activity viewed as directly 

or indirectly associating DoD (or its components) with partisan political activity is prohibited. 

Pursuant to the directive, the following is a partial list of 

permissible activities for military members on active duty:

- Register, vote, and express personal opinions on 

political candidates and issues; 

- Make monetary contributions to a partisan political 

organization; 

- Display a normal-size political bumper sticker on 

private vehicle;

- Join a partisan political club;

- Attend partisan political meetings, rallies, or fundraisers as a spectator when not in uniform and when 

no inference of official endorsement can reasonably 

be drawn; and, 

- Promote and encourage others to exercise the right 

to vote.

The following is a partial list of impermissible activities 

for military members on active duty:

- Participate in partisan political fundraising activities, rallies, conventions, campaign management, or 

debates regardless of whether in uniform or whether 

an inference of endorsement can be drawn; 

- Publish partisan political articles that solicit votes 

for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or 

cause;

- Work for a partisan political campaign or candidate;

- Speak before a partisan political gathering; 

- Wear a military uniform at election events;

- March or ride in a partisan political parade;

- Display a large political sign, banner, or poster on a 

private vehicle;

- Display a partisan political sign visible to the public 

at one’s residence on a military installation; and, 

- Use government resources to further political activities. 

While the general rule is that personnel on active duty may 

not stand for, or hold, political office, some exceptions exist, 

especially for reservists who are called to active duty. DoDD 

1344.10 identifies those exceptions and identifies when they 

Guidelines: Political Activities

By CDR Sheri Lewis

Military Sealift Command 106

apply to active duty, Reserve, and retired personnel. In addition, the directive provides guidance on the appropriate use 

of rank and military service affiliation (including photos 

thereof) in campaign literature, websites, videos, television, 

and conventional print advertisements. 

Finally, the directive is a lawful general order; violations 

of which are punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform 

Code of Military Justice. 

For civilian employees, the Hatch Act passed by Congress 

in 1939 and the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 

permit most federal employees to take an active part in partisan political activities. Civilian personnel in DoD should look 

to the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Memorandum “Civilian 

Employees’ Participation in Political Activities,” dated May 

31, 2006, for guidance on their political activities. 

 In general, the following is a partial list of permissible 

activities for civilian employees:

- Participate in political organization activities (e.g., 

join a political party, attend conventions);

- Play an active role in a political campaign (e.g., display a political sign, distribute campaign literature, 

canvas for votes);

- Participate in election-related activities (e.g., drive 

voters to a polling place); and,

- Participate in certain political fundraising activities 

(e.g., make financial contributions, attend fundraisers, and organize fundraisers hosted by others).

The following is a partial list of impermissible activities 

for civilian employees:

- Use official position to interfere with or affect the 

result of an election (e.g., use official title while participating in permitted political activity); and,

- Participate in certain fundraising activities (e.g., 

solicit or receive political contributions, host a fundraiser, allow the use of official title in relation to 

political fundraising).

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel’s (OSC) Hatch Act 

Unit provides advisory opinions on political activity of civilian federal employees. OSC attorneys may be contacted by 

e-mail at hatchact@osc.gov or by phone at (202) 653-7143. 

OSC advisory opinions may be found online at www.osc.

gov/hatchact.htm.

While both military members and civilian employees 

should give their full time and attention to the performance 

of their official duties, DoD’s policy encourages all members 

of its workforce, military and civilian, to carry out the obligations of citizenship. 

Any questions within the Navy JAG Corps community 

regarding these regulations governing political activities 

should be directed to Standards of Conduct and Government 

Ethics Branch, Administrative Law Division, OJAG (Code 

13) at 703-614-7384 (DSN 224-8228).
9

By MC1 Linda Pepka, 

Navy Recruiting District Michigan

NBLSA Observes 40th Anniversary, 

Welcomes Navy JAG Corps

to prevent conflict, to promote stability, and to drive legal 

and social change,” CAPT Sanders commented during the panel 

discussion. 

NBLSA was founded in 1968 and, according to their website, 

is the largest student run organization in the United States with 

over 6,000 members. NBLSA’s mission is to develop talented 

and socially conscious lawyers. 

“Its students demonstrate that they’re leaders and display 

qualities essential for becoming naval officers and JAGs,” said 

CAPT Sanders. 

Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Michigan Officer Programs 

Recruiter, LT La’Donna Gordon attended the NBLSA conference. According to Gordon, it was great to see a diverse JAG 

Corps talking with today’s young law students and lawyers, 

explaining the wide range of opportunities the Navy offers its 

professionals. 

She added that JAG participation in the Association’s convention honored one of the CNO’s 

top priorities of building diversity 

within all Navy career fields. 

“Our community provides legal 

advice to commanders in the field 

and my belief is that our commanders 

need the best legal advice possible,” 

explained VADM MacDonald. “To 

achieve that, you need that advice 

to come from all different backgrounds - not only from different race 

and gender view points, but different educational and socioeconomic 

backgrounds as well.”

VADM MacDonald continued, 

“I call it the 360-degrees of advice 

to the commander. I think it really 

helps when we have people [in the JAG Corps] from diverse 

backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and education providing 

different points of view to solve a problem - the issues around 

the problem; so when those commanders make their decisions, 

they are fully informed with all the facts and legal analysis.”

The event was a huge success for both the JAG Corps and for 

Commander Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC) who funded 

the JAG Corps’ participation.

“We conducted four senior officer appraisal interviews onsite. This was for three students and one practicing attorney. 

Within 72 hours, we had completed applications before the next 

JAG Corps accessions board,” said CAPT Sanders.

“Unprecedented” was the word that several CNRC staff 

members used to describe the JAG Corps’ participation and success in the 40th anniversary celebration for NBLSA. 

NBLSA attendees: CDR David Wilson; LTJG Lauren Warren; 

LCDR Gatha LaFaye Manns; LCDR DeAndrea Fuller; RADM 

Bruce MacDonald; LT Tahmika Jackson; CAPT Charlotte 

Wise; CAPT Karen Gibbs; LT Mark Tilford; LT Edward 

Westbrook; and CAPT Robert Sanders.

The Navy JAG Corps participated in the National 

Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) national 

convention hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Regional 

members at the Detroit Renaissance Center in March. This 

year marked the 40th anniversary of NBLSA and the association welcomed the Judge Advocate General of the Navy 

and members of his Corps to play a part in the celebration. 

VADM Bruce MacDonald spoke before a crowd of past, 

present and future legal counselors from NBLSA during a 

Founders Day event. 

“I want to recognize and thank many of those in this room 

who have surmounted great hurdles to make the American 

legal community what it is today,” said VADM MacDonald. 

“And to those of you training to join them, I ask you to 

prepare to become a driving force 

for legal and social change in our 

nation and the world.”

NBLSA affiliates were encouraged to meet with a panel of current lawyers from the JAG Corps 

and learn more about their important and diverse practice around 

the world. The JAG Corps lawyers explained the military’s legal 

mission, answered questions about 

legal careers, and discussed their 

personal legal impact on current 

events.

The JAG Corps also presented 

a panel discussion called “Assisting the World: Understanding the 

legal roles behind the headlines.” The dialogue centered 

on the military’s current legal mission and its impact on 

current events. Members of the panel included: former 

Commanding Officer, Naval Justice School, CAPT Charlotte Wise; Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for 

Personnel, CAPT Robert Sanders; Assistant U.S. Attorney 

for the Eastern District of Michigan, CAPT Karen Gibbs; 

Fleet Judge Advocate, Second Fleet, CDR David Wilson; 

Staff Judge Advocate and General Counsel at the National 

Defense University, LCDR Gatha LaFaye Manns; Assistant 

Special Counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations, LCDR 

DeAndrea Fuller; Staff Judge Advocate for Training Support Center San Diego, LT Tahmika Jackson; and JAG aide, 

LCDR Edward Westbrook.

“Through the rule of law, we are giving countries a chance 
10

By LT Kathryn Matt

NLSO EURSWA Det Sigonella

The Thrill of the 

EURSWA Detachment

I

am the sole defense counsel and Officer in Charge of Naval 

Legal Service Office Europe and Southwest Asia (NLSO 

EURSWA) Detachment Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. With a 

large area of responsibility and potential clients spread across 

10 countries in two continents, there are many opportunities for 

travel and adventure. 

In my short time on board, I have already represented Sailors in Sicily, Sardinia, Germany, Bahrain, and in the middle of 

the Persian Gulf. Two of these cases were held on ships (one 

forward deployed at the time), two were held in combat zones, 

and one was on an Army base. There was really nothing standard or business as usual about any of them, or, as it turns out, 

about practicing as a remote defense counsel in general. While 

the visits to Stuttgart, Germany (during an international food 

and beer festival) or the visits to Naples, Italy (a short ferry ride 

from the beautiful island of Capri) were perhaps the most enjoyable trips I have had in the call to duty, an eight-day visit to the 

Middle East was by far my most adventurous.

I was already heading to Bahrain for an administrative separation board, when my command received a short fuse request 

for a defense counsel. I was detailed to another administrative 

board aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), which was at sea 

in the Persian Gulf. Thinking that this would be pretty cool, and 

also (of course) wanting to be cooperative and accommodating, 

I agreed to merge the trips into one and fly out to the carrier after 

the Bahrain case was over. As a salty lieutenant with three whole 

years in the Navy, who had already done a stint as an individual 

augmentee (IA), I figured hopping a military air flight in Bahrain 

and getting CODed (carrier on-board delivery) out to a carrier in 

the Gulf would be a breeze. I mean, come on, I had already done 

a two-week lawyer at sea stint on the pier in San Diego! 

Through a series of no less than 40 e-mails in three days, 

arrangements were made for me to get on a list at the mil-air terminal in Bahrain and hope that I was deemed important enough 

to warrant a coveted seat on the C-2 that would be flying out to 

the ship that day. While I was meeting my client in Bahrain and 

preparing for his board, our Bahrain legalman worked furiously 

to confirm flight arrangements to the ship, determine the basis 

of the second board, and track down the client and her evidence. 

With a vague idea where I was going and what I was supposed 

to do when I got there, I arrived at the mil-air terminal the morning after the first board to catch my flight out to the ship. At this 

point, I still had no idea how I was to get back home. The ship 

was due to dock in Jebel Ali, UAE, two days after my arrival and 

the consensus seemed to be to drop me off there. I would take a 

taxi to the Dubai airport, and fly from Dubai to either Bahrain or 

Sicily. With no actual plan in place yet, an eleventh hour e-mail 

from Bahrain to ENTERPRISE went something like this, “just 

trying to make sure LT Matt doesn’t end up at a bus stop in Saudi 

Arabia looking for a way back to Italy...”

Shortly after arrival at the mil-air terminal in Bahrain, I began 

to have the feeling that this flight was going to be a bit different 

than any others I had taken. I was given a briefing on C-2 safety, 

carrier landings, how to put on the life jacket and safety helmet, 

and how to work the emergency flares. (Hmmm, emergency 

flares? Commercial Airlines do a safety briefing and show you 

where the life jacket is, but they do not make you put it on or 

show you how to ignite flares.) Although I had the distinct pleasure of taking some helicopter rides with the Marines during my 

IA in Djibouti, I was somehow a bit more concerned about my 

life expectancy at this point. The second indication that this was 

going to be a different kind of flight came when we walked in 

the back of the plane, sat in rear-facing seats, and strapped ourselves in with five-point harnesses. 

The takeoff was easy enough, though the ride was hot and 

dark, as there were no windows. After an hour or so, we prepared to land on the deck of the aircraft carrier. This is when 

the plane ride began to resemble the Gravitron ride at the Youth 

Fair. (Think the round ride where you stand against the wall and 

it spins really fast.) We all braced ourselves for landing. As we 

hit the deck hard, there was an odd noise, we did not stop, and 

we immediately took off again, having missed the wire. (This is 

when I not only wanted to get off the ride, but I also wanted my 

money back.) My breakfast tried to make an encore the whole 

time we circled back around and re-approached. Thankfully, we 

caught the wire this time, and the ride came to an end. Not wanting to look like less than the war machine of an officer that I am, 

I did my best to pretend that I was fine and steadied myself to 

stay upright on the way off the plane.

As soon as I got off the plane, I felt like a new person. Looking around, I saw fighter planes, helicopters, and dozens of air 

operations personnel on the deck in their different colored shirts. 

Beyond the deck, I saw nothing but water in all directions, felt 

the hot sun and strong wind, and smelled the mix of salt water 

and jet fuel. Pretty awesome. Making it down below, I was 

fetched by a legalman and shown to the legal office and my visi-
11

NLSO EURSWA’s LT Kathryn Matt, 

LT Jonathan Dowling, and LT Sara de 

Groot. The three defense counsels 

were in Weinheim, Germany, for a 

criminal law course.

tor’s quarters. The ASJA then took me on a tour of the ship, with 

the stated hope that I would then be able to move about on my 

own without an escort. (Talk about optimism.) As I found out 

during the course of my stay, they were not kidding when they 

told me to write down the tack numbers of my desired destinations. 

Thankfully, my initial tour included the “top ten” sights on the 

carrier. After seeing the bridge, combat information center, and 

air control tower, among others, we went to air operations and 

found a shooter who was willing to bring us up to watch flight 

operations. Back on the flight deck, suited up with a fluorescent 

jacket, ear and eye protection, we climbed down into the catwalk, 

next to the airman who launches the catapult. Given the signal 

to duck and hold on to something, an F-18 was launched from 

a catapult just a few feet away, and as I looked up, the wing of 

the F-18 went right over my head. The vibrations were enough 

to knock you right on your can if you were not holding onto the 

railing. After the wing was safely clear of our heads, we stood 

up and watched the jet climb up and away from the deck and 

leave two trails of purple haze in its wake. At this point, I totally 

lost the notion that I had already been around some and seen 

things in the Navy. This was hands-down the absolute coolest 

thing I have witnessed in the Navy. 

After my all too brief “Top Gun” moment, I met with my 

client, interviewed her witnesses, and prepared the evidence 

packages for her board. The next day, after the administrative 

board was successfully completed, I was invited to attend movie 

night in the wardroom, complete with near beer and popcorn. 

After a false alarm man overboard situation, I spent my last night 

on the “Big E.” The following morning, we arrived in Jebel Ali. 

I was thrilled to find out that the ship had already arranged my 

transportation to the Dubai airport and a flight back to Bahrain, 

where I was to spend a couple of days until I could catch the 

next available flight to Sicily. With two happy clients and some 

legitimate sea stories, I felt my work there was done.

Although it was a very hectic eight days of traveling through 

four countries and taking eight different flights, I trusted my 

superiors and colleagues not to strand me in Saudi Arabia or let 

me get jet washed off the side of the carrier. I had a great, memorable, and humbling time. This is precisely why I joined the 

JAG Corps. Being a remote defense counsel gives you a unique 

opportunity to really get out of the office and out to the fleet. In 

addition to doing an IA, this is one of the best ways to see what 

the Navy is all about and how we really work. 
12

Over the last year, recruiting efforts for the Navy JAG 

Corps have changed tremendously. In recent years, we had 

noticed a decline in applications, and a 

common complaint was that the application and commissioning process 

was too complicated, too long, and too 

cumbersome. The time was also right 

to align JAG Corps recruiting efforts 

with a Navy-wide goal to increase 

diversity among our applicants. So, 

over the past year, we’ve made significant changes to the way that we 

recruit law students and to the way 

that they apply to the JAG 

Corps. In short, we’re pursuing a much more aggressive 

national recruiting effort that 

seeks out the most talented 

law students from across 

the country, including from 

schools that have not traditionally been “feeder schools” for 

us. Secondly, we’ve streamlined the 

application process, allowing students 

to apply directly to the JAG Corps for 

a selection board rather than through 

their local recruiter. These ambitious 

changes already appear to be paying 

dividends. For our first two accession boards of fiscal year 2008, we 

have already received 238 law student 

applications and are on track to double 

the number of applications in FY08 

compared to FY07. This is a great 

achievement, allowing our accession 

boards to have more choice and to recommend the best possible applicants 

for the future of the JAG Corps. 

JAGC Recruiting Program in 

FY07 

Traditional JAG Corps recruiting was informal and decentralized. 

By LCDR Jennie Goldsmith

Pers-4416

Individual Naval Legal Service Commands typically focused on schools 

near their headquarters or detachments. Occasionally, officers would 

request no-cost travel orders when 

combining a recruiting visit with a trip 

home. Funds were limited, approximately $15,000 a year, and PERS 

4416 usually responded to travel fund 

requests on a “first come, first served” 

basis. We didn’t really have metrics 

that gave us any feedback on the success of particular recruiting efforts. 

In April 2007, VADM Bruce 

MacDonald signed JAGINST 1150.1B: 

Recruitment, Internships and Selection for the JAG Corps Student and 

Direct Appointment Program. This 

instruction established a much more 

formal and comprehensive recruiting program. Under the instruction, 

commanding officers (COs) serve as 

recruiting officers for their area of 

responsibility (AOR). COs designate 

assistant recruiting officers within 

their commands to help conduct law 

school visits, attend diversity events, 

and participate in job fairs. COs now 

submit an annual recruiting plan for 

their AOR, which becomes a part of 

the JAG Corps combined recruiting 

plan at the national level. COs also 

are much more engaged in campus 

visits and in the interviewing of all 

applicants. Finally, the JAG Corps 

now selects an annual “Recruiter of the 

Year,” the judge advocate in paygrade 

O-4 or below who did the most during 

the preceding year to support the JAG 

Recruiting for A

Diverse Corps

Corps recruiting program. 

Following the new instruction, 

NLSC commands established ambitious, aggressive recruiting plans to 

strategically target law schools in 

their AOR. Some commands visited 

every law school in their AOR. Other 

commands, like Region Legal Service 

Office Midwest (RLSO MW), Naval 

Legal Service Office Southwest (NLSO 

SW), and Region Legal Service Office 

Southwest (RLSO SW) had enormous 

AORs that required strategic choices 

about which schools to visit and how 

to combine school visits for efficient 

and economical travel. 

Ultimately, the JAG Corps received 

additional funding to keep up with the 

ambitious recruiting plans. 

The Navy Recruiting Command was so impressed 

with our efforts to bring 

more diverse applicants 

into our pool that they gave 

us $51,000 for recruiting at 

diversity schools and diversity events. 

Lessons Learned 

New lessons emerged during 

summer visits. In August 2007, we 

directed a large-scale recruiting 

effort to the National Bar Association 

(NBA) Annual Convention, in Atlanta, 

Georgia. The NBA is the historic and 

influential African-American bar association, founded in 1925. Our delegation to the event included RADM 

James Houck, CAPT (Ret.) Charlotte 

Wise, and LCDR DeAndrea Fuller. We 

also made contact with naval Reserve 

judge advocates who attended the convention and were very involved in the 

NBA. 

CAPT (Ret.) Wise provided the 

first substantive after-action report 

under the new recruiting program. Her 

report, among other things, resulted 

 “No one can communicate the reality of 

being a JAG Corps officer better than you.”
13

in our “recruiting kit checklist.” The 

recruiting checklist reminds all JAG 

Corps recruiters to bring the tools that 

will help them with their target audience such as DVDs and brochures. 

She also made numerous suggestions 

for that specific event that will be 

incorporated into planning for summer 

2008. 

Navy JAG Corps recruiters also 

attended the Vault Legal Diversity 

Career Fairs in Chicago, New York, 

and San Francisco. For those fairs, 

we asked local Navy officer recruiters 

to assist with booth backdrops, table 

cloths, and additional Navy recruiting 

goodies. In some cases, the officer 

recruiters worked at the booths with 

our JAG Corps recruiters to answer 

questions about their part of the commissioning process e.g., (physical, 

security investigation, and physical 

fitness test). 

With the start of the school year last 

fall, judge advocates began visiting 

schools all across the country. Each 

command had a different approach. 

Many commands worked together and 

provided a combined plan. That was 

particularly impressive in the Southeast where a pilot-project changed 

AORs and staff in the middle of the 

recruiting season. Every command 

sent a combination of senior and junior 

officers out on visits. RLSO MW creatively used reservists in many areas 

to cover their sprawling AOR. Commanding officers began to pull Law 

Education Program students and 

judge advocates attending postgraduate (PG) school for recruiting. Many 

commands made great contacts at 

schools we did not normally visit. For 

example, RLSO Southeast visited all 

the ABA accredited schools in Georgia, and NLSO SW made significant 

new contacts at the University of California, Berkeley, resulting in a unique 

invitation to a school diversity event. 

NLSO Northwest (NW) took a 

unique approach to their law school 

visits. Instead of treating on-campus 

interviews as information interviews, 

they treated them as screening interviews. Impressive candidates were 

invited back to the command for additional interviews with more senior 

judge advocates before their appraisal Recruiting continued page 14

interview with the Commanding Officer CAPT Michael Boock. Using this 

approach CAPT Boock had access to 

more information about each applicant for his appraisal. If our goal is to 

recruit, like the rest of the legal profession, as much as possible, then the 

NLSO NW approach may be the gold 

standard in the years ahead. 

Vision 

Expect at least two major changes 

to the Navy JAG Corps recruiting 

program in the next year. First, commanding officers will become increasingly involved with new recruits. 

CNLSC vision is that commanding 

officers “own” recruits from “street to 

fleet.” This means numerous personal 

contacts at each stage of the recruiting and application process. Increased 

personal contact with recruits will 

encourage them to pursue a commission, foster a sense of “belonging” 

while accessions are still in school, and 

reduce attrition. Accessions will then 

become JAG Corps recruiters while 

still in law school, bolstering additional 

recruiting efforts at that school. 

Karen Palting interviews LT Ayana Pitterson at the Naval 

Justice School for the JAG Corps “Behind the Scenes” video.
14

Karen Palting interviews LT Jentso Hwang at the Naval Justice School for the JAG 

Corps “Behind the Scenes” video.

Secondly, a new online application and regular reports 

will allow for better 

recruiting metrics. We 

must track and evaluate our recruiting efforts 

and our success. A new 

recruiting module will 

make it easier to track 

a contact from a law 

school visit or career 

fair through the application process, including whether the contact 

applies, is professionally recommended, and 

ultimately accepts a 

commission. 

Everyone is a Recruiter

Every judge advocate 

is an essential part of our 

recruiting effort, and the 

program would not work without your impressive efforts 

and support. Remember every judge advocate is a walking 

billboard for the Navy JAG Corps, especially when interacting with a potential applicant or an “influencer,” e.g. parent, 

grandparent, sibling, educator, or veteran. No one can communicate the reality of being a JAG Corps officer better than 

you. Individual contacts are the most important part of our 

recruiting program. On their application for admission, students are asked about their motivation for applying. Many 

students check “word of 

mouth,” which simply 

means they talked to a 

judge advocate or were 

influenced by someone 

that knew a judge advocate. 

Always be prepared to 

talk about your practice, 

your experiences, your 

goals, and your commitment to serve. Additionally, be familiar with the 

application process, but 

be aware there are often 

changes in an effort to 

continually improve the 

process. 

Finally, seek out additional guidance such as 

CNLSC’s FY09 JAG Corps Annual Recruiting Guidance, 

dated Aug 28, 2008, available from Code 61 or PERS 4416 

and the PERS 4416 People Talk discussing the College 

Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, a great incentive to attract law students with federal debt to military 

service. 

Recruiting continued from page 13

www.jag.navy.mil/careers
15

There are a lot of good things about e-mail. After researching for this article, that statement is more to convince author than audience. You, astute reader, already know 

the many advantages of e-mail. Instant communication! Accessibility 24 hours a day! Paperless offices! Of course, we all want 

our bosses to be able to reach us all the time. And the paperless 

office might actually happen, someday.

Still, there are some things that can make e-mail use less 

useful, or even downright painful, for everyone involved. This 

is the first of a series of four articles that attempt to encourage 

effective and efficient e-mail use by pointing out some recurring 

foibles. Senders, being the most critical part of the e-mail equation, are addressed first. The second part of the series addresses 

those who receive e-mail; they play a surprisingly important role 

in determining how e-mail is used in the military.

This article is an attempt to introduce or remind the reader to 

the problems inherent in sending e-mail. In many ways, e-mail 

is no different than good communication by other means. It is 

my sincere hope that this article will help readers to avoid some 

of the most common mistakes or at least prevent them from 

copying me on their embarrassing missives.

E-mail has become so ubiquitous that it seems not to occur 

to some people that it is not always the best medium for a particular message. If you are one of those people, brace yourself – 

sometimes, it’s better not to use e-mail. When, you ask? There 

are at least three instances when using e-mail is inappropriate: 

to convey bad news, when you’re angry, and when several 

exchanges will be required. 

There is never a good time to send bad news by e-mail. Bad 

news in this context is anything that isn’t positive. It might be a 

death in the family, a missed promotion, or criticism of a work 

product. The problem with using e-mail is that once it’s sent, 

the writer has no control over it. The receiver might already be 

having a terrible day, causing the negative news to be magnified. 

Sometimes using e-mail is just a human relations foul. Radio 

Shack tried to dismiss employees electronically, firing 400 staffers by e-mail in 2006. The “unfortunately, your position is one 

that has been eliminated” message netted Radio Shack position 

number 27 on CNNMoney.com’s 2006 list of “101 Dumbest 

Moments in Business.”

Angry senders have provided some of the most entertaining 

moments in e-mail’s short history. The most amusing examples 

A User’s Guide to E-Mail Part 1 Matching the message to the medium and when 

not to press send

E-mail is a modern business tool and fact of life across the military. This provides entertaining 

and educational perspective provides some rules for communicating through e-mail.

can’t be quoted here, as they are too profane. That introduces 

another level to the argument. If you want to go on a tirade 

you must be face-to-face. The red-faced, vein-popping, spittleflecked administration of a “wall-to-wall counseling” is simply 

more effective than an angry e-mail. Can you imagine General 

Patton slapping down a subordinate’s dumb idea with a tersely 

worded e-mail? E-mail simply can’t compete with a good, oldfashioned trip behind the paint lockers. That’s not to say there 

aren’t exceptions provided by some great angry written communications. 

So, if you’re angry, just don’t send an e-mail. If you must, 

type it and let someone with a cool demeanor who is unbiased 

about the issue that has you feeling “enthusiastic” review the 

message before you hit SEND. If no one is available to review 

the message, just type it and wait. Many times you’ll decide not 

to send the e-mail at all, or perhaps you’ll tone it down.

Sometimes it’s possible to tell up front that an issue is going 

to require a back-and-forth exchange to resolve. You might not 

have all the information you need to ask the right question, or 

you may be attempting to answer a query that requires additional, complex information to complete. A telephone call, or a 

personal meeting, might be a better option than embarking on an 

extended e-mail exchange. 

Now that we’ve covered some general rules regarding when 

e-mail is not be best medium, let’s discuss a couple of other 

common e-mail gaffes. 

We all receive e-mails that are mildly amusing, very amusing, 

inspirational, or informative. The best advice when you receive 

these is usually to enjoy them and delete them – or skip right to 

the delete step if you don’t find them enjoyable. Many people 

will not want to receive your forwarded jokes. They may not be 

touched by your forwarded inspiring tales. And, their behavior 

will probably not change in response to forwarded information. 

Some experts consider the forwarding of a virus warning to be a 

virus itself, wasting time and clogging networks with pointless, 

and frequently false, information.

Unnecessarily replying to e-mails is generally only a problem 

when the dreaded “reply to all” button is used. Whenever you 

think of turning that nuclear key, check each and every addressee 

before you hit send. You want to ensure they all need to receive 

the reply, and that you aren’t sending it to someone who should 

not receive it. You could end up sending negotiating strategy 

or other inside information to an outside party inadvertently. If 

information is sensitive, it is probably better to use the “forward” 

button and re-enter all the addresses to ensure you don’t overlook one.

By Col Gary Brown, USAF

Senior Legal Advisor, Air Force Inspector General 

Next in the series: Part 2 Make a Better Message
16

Leadership is one of those things that can make or break an organization. It’s a subtle quality, at times hard to 

define, but you know it when you see it in action. There are a few qualities that all of the leaders in the JAG Corps 

seem to possess: commitment to the legal community, initiative, integrity, perseverance, and professionalism. In 

the JAG Corps many fit the above leadership description. The following regular column introduces a few of the 

JAG Corps leaders from Naval Legal Service Command. 

JAG Leaders 

The rich environment at Region Legal Service 

Office Midlant offers many opportunities for 

future leaders. LN1 Tricia Elders is one of the 

people in particular who stands out amongst the 

crowd at this very large command. Onboard since 

February 2007, LN1 Elders is currently on active 

duty leading the way within the international zone 

in Iraq as an IA. As the sole enlisted staff member 

supporting 14 joint forces attorneys (including 

Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Australian Navy) 

and one Iraqi translator, she is demonstrating tremendous skill and ability in managing such a huge 

responsibility. To say she is busy would truly be 

a great understatement. LN1 Elders works special 

time-sensitive projects for the SJA, in addition to 

the many day-to-day tasks for anyone who needs 

her help. She also 

serves as the Information Systems Officer, Property Books 

Manager and Security 

Officer. What’s more, 

her duties include leaving the safety of the 

Embassy to drive personnel and officials to 

and from other Forward 

Operating Bases in the 

International Zone. LN1 

Elders is a star in the legalman community, setting a 

shining example of the fantastic things our legalmen 

are doing overseas in the war against terror.

Shipmate Spotlight

16

LN1 Tricia Elders

Dwain Alexander II

Would you like to recognize an exceptional shipmate? Submit your command’s 

outstanding member and photos to natalie.morehouse@navy.mil

At the Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO) Midlant, the officers, enlisted, 

and civilians go above and beyond every day to meet the legal needs of 

the Navy’s busiest homeport - Naval Station Norfolk. Dwain Alexander 

is just one member of the command that stands out. 

Alexander, a civilian legal assistance attorney and Navy Reserve commander, was awarded the Consumer Advocate of the Year Award by the 

National Association of Consumer Advocates for his legal assistance 

efforts on behalf of local Sailors harmed by predatory businesses and 

lending practices. Alexander works with Virginia regulatory agencies, 

alerting them to trends and practices of automobile dealers that hurt 

service members and violate the law. Most importantly, Alexander 

is an exceptional mentor to new judge advocates reporting to NLSO 

Midlant by providing them with much needed insight and expertise in 

consumer advocacy. 
Fleet News

17

Never let a good thing go to waste. 

This old saying should be especially true at Naval Station (NAVSTA) 

Everett, which has long been hailed as 

the United States Navy’s most modern 

facility. Located on the first floor of the 

base administration building, NAVSTA 

Everett courtroom is also one of the 

largest and most conveniently located 

in the Navy. Nonetheless, recent security concerns across the Navy led to new 

requirements for Navy courtrooms to 

meet updated standards. Until recently, 

the courtroom at Naval Base Kitsap 

Bremerton was the only courtroom in the 

region that met those standards. In fact, 

over the past three years, Bremerton has 

been the exclusive site for the hundredplus courts-martial for commands in 

Navy Region Northwest. Commands in 

Everett or Whidbey Island are required 

to ensure the presence of the accused, 

witnesses, bailiffs, brig chasers and 

members for each court-martial. The 

trip to Bremerton, despite its scenic ferry 

ride, is not the most efficient use of litigation time or resources. 

In January 2008, the Everett court-

“All Rise” Again Heard in Everett Courtroom

room echoed once again with the bailiffs 

“All Rise”, calling to order the first general court-martial in the Everett courtroom. LNC Mike Winters, the Region 

Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO 

NW) Courtroom security officer, and his 

team worked long and hard to bring the 

Everett courtroom into compliance with 

all security requirements. 

“The purpose of courthouse security 

is to ensure a secure environment for all 

participants. We don’t want anyone – 

counsel, witnesses, accused, spectators, 

judge or members, to be intimidated or 

even worse, attacked, during a courtmartial proceeding,” said LNC Winters. 

“Depending on the type of case, the 

accused may be facing significant confinement and loss of a career if convicted, and victims and their families 

are seeking justice. The stakes are 

high, so emotions can run high in a 

court-martial,” said LT Eric Pedersen, 

senior trial counsel at RLSO NW. 

The Everett courtroom does not yet 

offer the convenience of Bremerton’s 

technological amenities such as the 

SMART courtroom system. However, the Everett courtroom does offer 

a very large, contemporary courtroom 

with spacious seating for members and 

sufficient room, allowing greater freedom of movement. The courtroom 

also offers the benefit of convenience 

to NAVSTA Everett, a command 

that supports approximately 6,000 

Sailors, serving USS ABRAHAM 

LINCOLN, two destroyers, three 

frigates and two Coast Guard cutters. 

In addition, the Everett courtroom is 

now available for use by Naval Air 

Station Whidbey Island, a command 

that supports approximately 21 aviation squadrons and 20 tenant commands. 

LT Eric Pedersen, LT Chris Jeter, and CDR Kevin 

O’Neil during a Courts-Martial.

Seven Soldiers supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa 

(CJTF-HOA) mission became U.S. citizens 

during a Military Naturalization Ceremony at 

the U.S. Embassy in March. 

LN2(AW) Amanda Rhodes put together a 

naturalization ceremony for personnel assigned 

to CJTF-HOA in Djibouti. She recently transferred from NLSO Central to JTF HOA. LN2 

Rhodes coordinated with the Rome Naturalization Office and their officer in Nairobi. 

She thought it would be an extra special ceremony for the Soldiers to actually have their 

ceremony in Djibouti, but also on the grounds 

of the U.S. Embassy. The Ambassador, W. 

Stuart Symington was the keynote speaker and 

the CJTF-HOA Commander, RDML Phillip 

Greene along with the Command Master Chief 

were in attendance. The seven candidates for naturalization were from Micronesia, Canada, Kenya, Philippines and Palau.

Soldiers become American citizens in Africa

Soldiers of CTJF-HOA say the Oath of Allegiance during a Military Naturalization 

Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy.

Originally printed in the Northwest Navigator
18 Fleet News

A ribbon-cutting ceremony held July 15 formally introduced newly-renovated Building 58 on the historic 

Washington Navy Yard. Built in 1859, the structure initially served as a Marines barracks and then, in the 1980’s, 

was converted to a Marine museum. Yet, despite its proud 

past, Building 58 was destined for a bright future after 

being transformed into a state-of-the-art center for military 

justice.

In September 2006, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington awarded a $14.5 million 

design/build contract to Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., 

headquartered in Baltimore, for the complete renovation 

of Building 58. The company was charged with providing 

a first-class courtroom for judicial proceedings and work 

spaces for members of the Office of the Judge Advocate 

General (OJAG). The first case to be heard in the new 

courtroom was Aug. 5. 

Facility requirements included both public and restricted 

entry; a courtroom facility with full audio/visual capability, 

offices, deliberation room, witness holding area, judicial 

proceedings support spaces, file storage, restrooms, shower 

By Denise Calabria

Naval Facilities Engineering Command 

The Verdict: It Is the Navy’s Premier Courtroom

and locker room, and security and life safety systems housed 

throughout more than 48,000 square feet. Prior to the renovation, the building was completely gutted so only the historic, 

brick shell remained.

“This is the first building that incorporates the progressivecollapse system that came out after the terrorist attacks of 

9-11, wherein if a truck were to explode outside the building, it 

would not collapse like a pancake,” said Igor Boras, NAVFAC 

Washington Project Manager Engineer. 

The progressive-collapse system is an internal stabilization 

technique designed to enhance structural integrity should a 

portion of an edifice be compromised. 

Naturally, the customer due to occupy the facility is very 

pleased with the renovation. 

“This building has exceeded our expectations,” said LCDR 

Ryan Davis, Facilities Officer, OJAG. “It’s always hard to pick 

up and move people who were happy to stay where they were. 

But once you start going through the process, see the project 

develop, and see all the effort and the quality, you realize this 

definitely is the premier courtroom in the Navy now,” he said. 

“It definitely raised the bar for the JAG Corps.”

“I am happy that we all worked together and accomplished 

what we were to do for the Navy,” said Boras.

On June 20th, RLSO NW participated in the 15th Annual United Way Day of Caring. The United 

Way of Kitsap County partnered with over 400 volunteers from non-profit 

companies, local businesses, and the Navy to provide services to those in need 

at 37 different sites in Kitsap County. 

Many members at RLSO NW in Bremerton participated in the event, including all of the officers, the CO and XO, and two law school summer interns 

assigned to RLSO NW. Involvement was not just limited to the Bremerton 

office; legalmen from the Branch Office in Everett traveled via the ferry to 

lend a hand at the event as well. Throughout the day, they did landscaping, painting, and construction projects at a local 

preschool as well as several painting projects at the local YWCA and a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. 

By LT Darcy Utter 

RLSO NW

RLSO NW Show They Care

James Hanika, LT Aaron Riggio, LN1 Nichoelle Smith, CDR 

Shelby Hladon, LTJG Justin Pasay, LT Darcy Utter, LT Eric 

Pedersen, LCDR James Hoffman, and LT Chad Temple. 
Fleet News

19

The Navy Reserve Component’s newest legalmen, students of 

Class 08010 Phase III, recently completed their training and graduated 

from the Naval Justice School in 

Newport, R.I.

Offered each spring, the Reserve 

Legalman Accession Course is an 

intensive six-week program that offers 

fast-pace training in multiple areas of 

civil law and military justice. Reserve 

students, all of whom are converting 

from other rates, engage in hands-on 

scenarios ranging from general legal 

assistance to criminal investigations 

and courts-martial.

“The training includes lessons in 

Navy legal, administrative, and clerical functions, as well as participation 

in practical applications,” according 

to LNC Edward Crews who is the 

Reserve Legalman Course Coordinator. “The goal is to adequately prepare reservists to work alongside their 

active counterparts should they be 

mobilized or volunteer.” 

Many reservists converting to 

legalman possess a diversity of skills 

not often found in the active duty. The 

most recent Reserve class included 

paralegals from a variety of professions including banking, immigration, 

By MC1 Harrold Henck

Naval Justice School Public Affairs

Newest Reserve Legalmen Ready to Serve

civil and criminal law.

LN2 Melissa Tidmore, a paralegal with 

the US Attorney’s 

Office in San Antonio, 

Texas, explained the 

quality of training she 

received. “I found the 

instructors to be tough 

but caring. Our competency is a reflection 

on their instruction so 

they were very thorough. They really 

wanted us prepared to 

assume our duties in the Fleet.” 

To accommodate reservist’s traditional two-week training schedule, 

students have the option of attending all six-weeks at once, or to break 

the training into three phases of two 

weeks annually. This year, twentyseven reservists attended all or part of 

the school. 

Only those who complete all three 

phases are considered fully trained 

legalman. Until then, converting 

legalman perform “in rate training” 

with local Reserve units and pursue 

distance learning opportunities via the 

Naval Justice School and the Naval 

Education and Training Command.

Everyday the integration between 

the active and Reserve becomes 

greater and more evident. Within 

the legalman rate this fusion is 

even closer. As one of the Navy’s 

smaller communities, the needs of 

the Reserve to augment the active 

duty are many and varied. 

Across the country and around 

the world, Reserve legalman are 

serving alongside their active colleagues. Although most are working 

in Naval and Region Legal Service 

Offices at home and abroad, a growing number of Reserve legalman 

are fulfilling individual augmentee 

billets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and the Horn of Africa. This 

expanding role requires the meticulous preparation that reservists are 

receiving at Naval Justice School.

Students from Reserve Legalman Accession Class outside Naval 

Justice School in Newport, R.I. at the start of the six-week course. 

Students from Reserve Legalman Accession Class 08010 attend 

class in the Naval Justice School. 
20 Fleet News

By Jesse Leon Guerrero

Pacific Navigator

20

I

f you’re looking for help filing your taxes, declaring an affidavit, clearing up a passport issue or 

just need to talk to someone about the law, Ms. 

Antonette Babauta is probably the first person you 

should call. Babauta, better known as “Toni” to her 

friends and clients, isn’t a lawyer, but she does act 

as a liaison for Sailors and their family members 

when they meet the Naval Legal Service Office’s 

(NLSO) attorneys at U.S. Naval Base Guam.

“I love helping people,” said Babauta. Her job 

isn’t always easy because her 

duties also include processing travel claims for the 

staff, assisting with budget 

plans, and maintaining the 

office. 

“I just do what I have to 

do, whether I’m required to 

do it or not,” said Babauta, 

whose official title is legal 

assistant.

“She’s the foundation of 

our operations,” said LCDR 

John Mills of NLSO. Mills 

explained Babauta keeps the 

staff’s morale high and passes 

NLSO Civilian Helps Sailors Deal with Legal Issues

Antonette Babauta offers tax assistance to a local Sailor.

LT Alan Fowler, LT James Head, and LT Gregory Morison of Navy Legal Service Office 

Northwest were sworn into the Washington State 

Bar Association (WSBA) by Washington State 

Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander 

pursuant to Admission to Practice Rule 8(g) 

(APR 8(g)). 

 APR 8(g) grants full-time, active-duty military 

lawyers who are currently stationed in Washington with a limited license to practice law in Washington’s civilian courts. To be certified, military 

lawyers must complete training in Washington 

state law in the traditional legal assistance areas, 

such as consumer law and domestic relations, as 

well as Washington State Bar ethical rules. 

APR 8(g) is a product of the collaborative efforts 

of the WSBA Legal Services to the Armed Forces 

Committee, in the Puget Sound region. APR 8(g) is 

Washington State Bar Association 

By LT Alan Fowler

NLSO NW, Everett 

her corporate knowledge on from one judge advocate 

general officer to the next as they get stationed on Guam. 

Babauta said a big reason why she has been able to 

contribute so much is because she’s been employed or 

involved with NLSO in one way or another since 1989. 

That kind of continuity allows her to give a wide range of 

advice to the attorneys concerning Guam and the Navy’s 

laws and policies. 

Every year Babauta directly assists Sailors in NLSO’s 

Tax Center. Babauta manages the operation with the help 

of volunteers. She also sits with clients personally, goes 

through their financial situation and 

instructs them on what they need 

to know. It’s a dynamic environment because of the interaction 

and the nature of tax law.

 All of these responsibilities 

and the extra work she puts in is 

worth the effort and occasional 

stress. Babauta explained that 

legal and tax issues have a big 

impact on people’s lives and they 

often just need some guidance to 

get through it. In the end, when 

she sees that a family received 

needed legal advice, it gives her 

a sense of deep satisfaction.

intended to provide greater access to justice and legal services 

for junior enlisted personnel and their dependents in non-criminal matters. 

 APR 8(g) effectively expands the legal assistance services 

to junior military personnel in Washington, and it helps relieve 

the burden on local volunteer legal service programs.

LT Alan Fowler, LT James Head, and LT Gregory Morison of Navy 

Legal Service Office Northwest sworn into the Washington State Bar 

Association by Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry 

Alexander.
Fleet News

21

The Lieber Society, an interest group of the 

American Society of International Law (ASIL), 

bestows a prize each year for an exceptional writing that enhances understanding of the law of war 

by a person serving in the regular or Reserve armed 

forces of any nation. 

Papers for the 2009 competition must be received 

Call for Papers for the 2009 Lieber Society

On May 30, a cadre of judge advocates 

from RLSO Japan stood 

on the shores of Iwo 

Jima. In a two hour flight 

from Atsugi Japan, the 

RLSO Japan Wardroom 

traveled via military air as part of the region professional 

military education program. Iwo Jima is not open to the 

public and is currently used as a carrier landing practice site 

for the forward deployed carrier air wing. 

“Traveling to Iwo Jima was one of the highlights of my 

naval career,” said LT Justin McEwen. The island had a way 

of crystallizing my understanding of our Navy core values; 

there was truly a feeling a solemn reverence for those who 

were so brave and committed to the cause of freedom. One 

thing in particular that stood out was the untouched history 

of Iwo Jima. It was so easy to reach out and touch the relics 

of the battle. Helmets, gas masks, tanks and old sixty caliber 

machine guns were readily within reach. Seeing these things 

really brought the history alive.” 

The RLSO Japan wardroom members were given a tour 

that included a trip to the invasion beach, a climb of Mount 

Suribachi, and entrance into command caves.

 The ground battle of Iwo Jima was fought between Feb. 

19 and March 26, 1945. In that period of more than 35 days, 

more than 27,000 men from both sides were killed in action. 

The U.S. suffered 6,800 casualties. Nearly 20,000 military 

members were wounded or missing on the U.S. side alone. 

 “The trip gave me a much better appreciation for what 

soldiers during WWII went through,” said LT Mike Torrisi.

Every single one of those guys on that island went through 

more adversity in a day than most people face in their 

lifetimes.” 

 A trip to Iwo Jima was a once in a lifetime experience for 

the folks from RLSO Japan. It is truly a hallowed battlefield 

and we were honored beyond words to be there.

RLSO Japan Wardroom in Iwo Jima: LT Beth Kontny; LT Justin McEwen; CAPT Stu Belt; LT Mike Torrisi; CDR Kevin Golden; and CDR Bradley Cordts. 

RLSO Japan’s Wardroom visits Iwo Jima

By CAPT Stu Belt 

RLSO Japan 

no later than Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. 

All submissions must contain the following data on the 

author of the paper: full name and rank or rating, if any; 

current postal and e-mail addresses; current telephone and 

fax numbers.

For more information visit:

www.asil.org/aboutasil/awardsmilitary.
22 22

The Navy JAG Corps recently unveiled a new career website, www.jag.navy.mil/careers, designed to 

inform potential candidates about the JAG Corps and to 

explain the application process. 

“Our website is important because every applicant starts 

their application there and many people go to the website 

first for information,” said LCDR Jennie Goldsmith, the 

JAG Corps accessions and recruiting detailer. “We wanted 

the website to be current, useful, and provide information 

about what the JAG Corps is all about. Feedback so far 

has been incredibly positive.”

The website features career path information, a map 

of duty locations, detailed instructions on how to apply as 

well as many other important features needed by potential 

applicants. 

“For the JAG Corps careers website, we made use of 

extensive graphic design and the most relevant technologies to enhance the user experience and optimize the site 

navigation, animation, and content,” said Ms. Jennifer 

Zeldis, public affairs officer for the Office of the JAG 

Corps.

Congruent with JAG Corps 2020’s guiding principle 

to maintain a high quality and diverse force, this site was 

designed to recruit the best people possible.

“The new website not only showcases the opportunities afforded by the JAG Corps, but does so in a way that 

is appealing to law school students and attorneys who 

want to make a difference and are looking for exciting 

professional opportunities,” said CAPT Rob Sanders, 

deputy assistant JAG for personnel.

A survey was used to measure the site’s appeal. Current and potential members of the JAG Corps were 

asked to go to the website, look around, and take the 

survey. The survey prompted visitors to supply comments 

and questions describing their first impressions of the site. 

The survey also included several questions pertaining to 

the relevance and presentation of the site’s content. 

“It is a huge step up from the previous site. I wish I 

had access to all that information when I was applying. It 

would have made my process much smoother and more 

enjoyable,” wrote one survey respondent.

The survey found that 91 percent of respondents found 

the information they were looking for, and of those, 96 

percent of these respondents found it easily. These results 

appear to validate that the site met its chief objective of 

JAG Corps Revamps Career Website 

By Natalie Morehouse 

Public Affairs Office

JAG Corps 2020

Special Assistant for Transformation (SAT) Staff

LT Anne Marks

(202) 685-5462 

anne.marks@navy.mil

CDR Michael Jaeger

(202) 685-7255 

michael.j.jaeger@navy.mil

CAPT Dawn Tompkins

(202) 685-7701

dawn.tompkins@navy.mil

LCDR Kim McCann

(202) 685-5185

kimberley.mccann@navy.mil

ensuring visitors could find relevant information easily. 

“This is going to result in a lot more applicants. The site was 

easy to navigate and I found everything I needed and more. The 

new site is an enormous improvement...quite useful,” wrote 

another survey respondent.

The centerpiece for the new JAG Corps career website is the 

award winning Awareness Video. The video presents the personal accounts from new JAG Corps attorneys about what drew 

them to join the JAG Corps. It also highlights the process of 

becoming an officer in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. 

Qnexis, Inc. assisted the JAG Corps in the development of 

the revamped career website and awareness video. 
23National Security Personnel System

By Amy Stevens

Fiscal and Resource Management

For more information or to ask a question about NSPS, 

contact Amy Stevens at 202-685-5286 or at amy.stevens@navy.mil

23

Naval Legal Service Command (NLSC) conducted Mock Sub Pay 

Pools this Spring under the National 

Security Personnel System (NSPS). The 

Office of the Judge Advocate General 

(OJAG) completed its own Mock Pay 

Pools in May 2007 and focused the most 

recent in-house NSPS activities toward 

NLSC commands. The NLSC-centric 

NSPS training included a specialized 

two or three day course conducted 

by Code 64 representatives. Between 

August 2007 and January 2008, OJAG 

staff traveled to Pearl Harbor, Newport, 

Groton, Great Lakes, Bremerton, Jacksonville, Norfolk, Naples, Millington, 

Pensacola, and Corpus Christi to deliver 

the training with the goal of providing a 

smooth Mock Pay Pool 

process for all NLSC 

participants. Though 

still in the early stages 

of distilling the NLSC 

Mock Sub Pay Pool 

results, it is safe to say 

that the time invested in 

pre-training NLSC personnel was worthwhile 

based on the general NSPS policy comprehension exhibited in all levels. What 

follows is a brief overview of the Sub 

Pay Pool structure utilized in the Mock 

sessions and items of particular note 

from this experience. 

NLSC Mock Sub Pay Pool panels 

met in Norfolk, Jacksonville, Washington, D.C., and Bremerton beginning 

in mid-March and completing in early 

May. NLSC held a total of five Sub 

Mock Pay Pools. Four of these panels 

were formed largely based upon geographical location and size equity. One 

additional panel was created specifically 

to consider the Echelon II and Naval 

Justice School (NJS) employees. This 

NLSC Mock Sub Pay Pools Completed

panel’s membership included a military 

representative from NJS and Chief of 

Naval Personnel (CHNAVPERS), and 

a civilian representative from OJAG. 

Commanding officers and acting commanding officers at each RLSO and 

NLSO acted as Pay Pool panel members 

in all other NLSC panels. All employee 

records were considered at the appropriate Sub Mock Pay Pool panel for this 

exercise. A full NLSC Mock Pay Pool 

panel was held in late August to familiarize Pay Pool panel members with the 

process. In the fall NLSC Pay Pool, all 

Sub Pay Pools will consider all records 

and forward their recommendations to 

the full NLSC Pay Pool for a second 

consideration. The full NLSC Pay Pool 

will then render the final decision on 

employee ratings. The full NLSC Pay 

the method of addressing each job 

objective individually vice combining all results and achievements into 

one large paragraph. As the OJAG 

Mock experiences had determined, 

deliberately dividing the assessments 

in such a format allows the Pay Pool 

panel members to review all material 

that applies to each objective without 

having to make assumptions as to 

which results apply to which objective. Finally, and most importantly, the 

NLSC assessments focused upon the 

“results produced” by the employee 

versus the tasks performed. This has 

been a recurring point of emphasis 

in all NSPS training, but it is one of 

the hardest topics to put into practice. 

OJAG employees and rating officials 

had made a concerted effort to produce 

results-oriented assessments during their Mock 

Pay Pools, but found difficulty in the application 

of that principle. NLSC 

personnel, again having 

benefited by OJAG’s 

experiences, were more 

able to address their 

results into their assessments when asked.

The NLSC Mock Sub Pay Pools 

were a successful exercise for all participants. Personnel can find the final 

results of the NLSC Mocks via the Code 

64.2 Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) 

webpage. As OJAG and NLSC grow 

in their learning and understanding of 

NSPS concepts and applications, the 

execution of Pay Pools will grow in its 

level of sophistication and excellence. 

As NSPS personnel, all OJAG and 

NLSC employees, rating officials, and 

higher level reviewers can be proud of 

the NSPS maturity they have developed so far and look forward to better 

things to come.

“This impressive accomplishment for the first 

Pay Pool exercise is likely attributable both to 

the interest, sincerity, and hard-work of NLSC 

personnel and the sharing of OJAG ‘lessons 

learned’ throughout NLSC.” 

Pool panel membership will include 

one representative from each Sub Panel 

and will be managed by the NLSC Vice 

Commander. 

The employee packages that the 

Mock Sub Pay Pool panels reviewed 

demonstrated a high level of broad-spectrum understanding of NSPS principles 

and guidance by NLSC personnel. This 

impressive accomplishment for the first 

Pay Pool exercise is likely attributable 

both to the interest, sincerity, and hardwork of NLSC personnel and the sharing 

of OJAG “lessons learned” throughout 

NLSC. Assessment structure was also a 

key improvement noted by Pay Panels. 

NLSC personnel were careful to apply 
Book Review

24

Any commentary on Robert A. Heinlein’s 1959 novel Starship Troopers must include, and should commence with, a sober caveat that any assumption of equivalence between the novel and the 1997 film of the same name 

would be shortsighted and mistaken. Although the film was 

a recurrent staple of shipboard site T.V. on deployment, all 

similarity with Heinlein’s original ends at the title. Enough 

about the film. The novel Starship Troopers won the prestigious Hugo Award for best novel in science fiction writing 

in 1960. Additionally, it earned the enmity of a seemingly 

endless line of detractors who have accused Heinlein of being 

everything from a militarist to a fascist for the views espoused 

in the book. Whether utopian, dystopian or something inbetween, Starship Troopers is the only work of science fiction that has found its way to the recommended reading list 

of all four American military academies, as well as the Navy 

Professional Reading Program. The inclusion on the lists is 

well deserved. Starship Troopers is reminiscent of other controversial works, such as Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn,

in that they are complex allegories of important and divisive 

issues, which are too often relegated to eighth graders who 

have little chance of understanding the subtlety at work. Military members are a more appropriate audience for this novel.

The book relates the experiences of Juan “Johnnie” Rico, 

as he matures from an indecisive youth into a capable leader 

of other futuristic soldiers. Rico serves in the Mobile Infantry (M.I.) during an interstellar war between Earth’s Terran 

Federation and a race of giant insects – the Arachnids, known 

derisively as “bugs”. The “bugs” had launched a surprise 

nuclear attack from space. Through the course of the book, 

Rico matriculates from high school to Officer Candidate 

School and beyond. Originally published for an audience of 

teenage boys, Starship Troopers at times seems one-dimensional and overly simplistic. This is a façade, obfuscating the 

brilliance of Heinlein’s prose and subtle mastery of conveying his true meaning: the duties and obligations of belonging 

to a community. Heinlein suggests that civic virtue -- suffrage and holding public office -- should require more litmus 

than the arbitrary geography of birth. Rather, only those who 

knowingly and voluntarily choose to undertake federal service should be so qualified. Simply put, the foundation for 

citizenship requires grave responsibility and personal sacrifice. 

Heinlein was a member of the United States Naval Academy’s class of 1929. He served on sea duty until being 

medically discharged in 1934 due to a case of pulmonary 

tuberculosis. Notwithstanding, his service continued when 

he was employed as a civilian aeronautical engineer in the 

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard during World War II. Ultimately his efforts in Philadelphia, those of his former shipmates, those of thousands on the swing-shift, and indeed 

the efforts of that entire generation, ultimately won the war. 

Sacrifice was ubiquitous. Everyone did his or her share in 

contribution to the war effort. However, more than a decade 

later, in the wake of the inconclusive Korean War and the 

ever growing Cold War with the Soviet Union, the promise 

of the United Nations eliminating war as a means to a political end appeared bleak. History shows Soviet Communists, 

the “Reds”, had emerged as the prevailing enemy of Western 

democracies. Soviet workers were seen as expendable grist 

for the mill of Stalin’s ambition. In 1953, the Soviet Army 

crushed the German Democratic Republic’s anti-Communist 

uprising. In 1956, the same occurred in Hungary. That was 

also the year the Soviets had attained nuclear technologies 

to rival, if not surpass, those of the United States. Moreover, under Khrushchev, larger emphasis was placed on 

strengthening the Soviet Strategic Rocket Forces to utilize 

its burgeoning nuclear might. In 1957, the Soviets launched 

Sputnik. The “Reds” could launch a surprise nuclear attack 

from space. All of this was the backdrop for the writing of 

Starship Troopers. 

Starship Troopers was ultimately inspired by Heinlein’s 

reaction to the anti-nuclear movement in the United States. 

The novel’s principal antagonists, the Arachnids, serve as a 

metaphor for Soviet Communists; individuality doesn’t exist 

for them, nor does the slightest concern for the welfare of 

individual soldiers or workers. Every “bug” was a member 

of the hive and subject to the will of the Queen just as every 

“Red” was a member of the Party and subject to the will 

of the state. Massive as it was, the “Red” Army was just a 

group of conscripted drones. Heinlein felt that conscription 

was tantamount to slavery and that if any state demanded 

that its citizens defend it, it didn’t deserve defending. Starship Troopers insists that military service must be entirely 

voluntary. Potential recruits interested in signing up for the 

M.I. were discouraged from doing so at every turn, including by the recruiters themselves. Even the broken body 

of the triple amputee Fleet Sergeant at the recruiting desk 

exemplifies by his very appearance the potential personal 

risk involved when enlisting. Rico enlists anyway, almost 

on a whim, certainly with no overriding desire to seek public 

office or exercise his franchise to vote. For Heinlein, Rico 

is more than an everyman. Rico is uncommon in that he’s 

from a privileged background. In crafting his protagonist, 

Heinlein shows no subtlety. Rico, meaning “rich” in Spanish – the national language of Rico’s home, Argentina – is 

Starship Troopers

Robert A. Heinlein’s

Book review provided by LT James Kirby
Book Review

25

Read any good books 

lately?

Tell us about it!

Submit a book review to

natalie.morehouse@navy.mil.

a silver spoon who turns his back on affluence. 

He chose to become a member of the army, and 

as an ancillary, earns full citizenship. Rico isn’t 

sure who he really is, but wishes to experience 

more than the safe luxury made available to him 

by his father, who wishes him to attend Harvard 

University.

Particularly interesting to judge advocates, 

Starship Troopers portrays several instances of 

futuristic military justice. While justice is swift 

and potentially severe, there remain many similarities to the system in which we operate. The 

majority of misconduct is disposed of at an 

administrative punishment level. The immediate commander has authority to dispense lesser 

punishments (including flogging) based on a 

lower evidentiary standard. The accused still 

has the right to insist on trial by court-martial. A Field CourtMartial, very similar to our Summary Court-Martial, can take 

place whether the accused prefers administrative punishment 

or not. Independent officers are called in to form the court and 

the degree of punishment is increased, but still limited. Limited in that, capital punishment is not authorized at any forum 

lesser to a General Court-Martial. Rico experiences flogging 

after administrative punishment and witnessed both Field and 

General Courts-Martial, culminating in an execution. Heinlein painstakingly details his beliefs in different rationales for 

the various types of proceedings and the utility of punishment. 

It is interesting to note that similar to contemporary military 

jurisprudence, dismissal from service is considered one of the 

highest forms of punishment. This is the case despite the drill 

instructors constantly encouraging recruits to drop on request 

as well as their total lack of interest in recruit desertion. If one 

chooses to leave, they are permitted to quit or desert. However, 

if one chooses to stay in the military and then commits serious 

misconduct, it is considered more severe to be discharged than 

to be flogged.

Starship Troopers suggests that only by enduring M.I. boot 

camp (90 percent attrition rate) and subsequently surviving a 

two year tour on active duty are citizens thereby endowed with 

an understanding of what it means to belong to something larger 

than themselves. While the book depicts other well-intentioned 

and productive members of society, they all fall short 

of the type of civic virtue that Heinlein believes 

is most important. Although many of the 

residents in Rico’s world are educated, 

professional, and successful, there is 

an implied self-centeredness that 

Rico finds unappealing. For Rico, 

being in the Mobile Infantry carries honor, pride, and the confidence 

that comes with an aptitude for leadership untapped in his civilian life. 

Starship Trooper’s combat veterans certainly have an understanding of the military 

matters essential to an elected official who 

may have to utilize force as a means to a 

political end. Additionally, having experienced the arduousness of a tour of duty, 

to say nothing of a full military career, 

combat veterans can more fully recognize 

the privileges, benefits, and social services 

that should be enjoyed by all members of 

a society. For them, the trooper’s credo, 

“M.I. take care of their own — no matter 

what,” logically becomes, “citizens take 

care of everyone.” 

Science-fiction is a clandestine genre 

and almost always didactic. Before the 

reader is even cognizant he or she has 

been exposed to a potentially radical 

alternative perspective rather than what 

is ostensibly understood. Starship Troopers is not about 

futuristic space soldiers fighting against giant bugs. It is 

not about the United States fighting against Soviet communists. It’s not about militarism or fascism -- it’s not 

even about Heinlein’s views on government. It’s about 

the distinction between those who embrace their nation 

through personal sacrifice and those who enjoy all of 

the rights of citizenship excluding suffrage and holding 

public office. The citizens in the novel find it a distinction 

without a difference as they continue to enjoy the freedoms of speech, assembly, due process, etc. The irony 

is razor sharp as a vast number of U.S. citizens in 1959, 

as now, never showed the slightest interest in their polity. 

U.S. voter turnout has been consistently low and certainly 

public office has never been widely sought. U.S. citizens 

chose apathy. Citizens of the Terran Federation chose 

action. 

Starship Troopers is a fascinating book and continues 

to be among the most widely read science-fiction novels. 

It has a timeless quality, owing in part to the genre in 

which it was written but predominantly to the controversial concepts espoused. Notwithstanding, it has perpetually and universally interested military members. That 

interest is perhaps galvanized because military members 

chose action in service to their country for the betterment 

of their society. They demonstrate Heinlein’s coveted civic virtue. Whether they agree with 

Heinlein or not, they can still identify 

with his theme. Starship Troopers has historically stimulated 

worthy debate on various issues 

near and dear to all members of 

any democratic society, most 

especially those who don the 

uniform of their nation and place 

themselves in harm’s way. Why 

not join the debate? Read Starship 

Troopers. Accelerate your mind! 

Heinlein as a member of the 

United States Naval Academy’s 

class of 1929.
JAG Corps Alumni

26

Spotlight On

John Marshall Lifetime Achievement

Find out what they are doing now! Alumni of the JAG Corps 

describe their current positions and what they did in the JAG Corps.

The Judge Advocates Foundation presented Senator Roger 

Wicker (R-Mississippi) the Foundation’s Chief Justice Marshall Lifetime 

Achievement Award. The award was 

presented by the previous recipient of 

the award, Judge H.F. Gierke. 

The Chief Justice John Marshall 

Lifetime Achievement Award is the 

Judge Advocates Foundation’s highest 

award. The Foundation established the 

Award commemorating Chief Justice 

Marshall to honor an individual who once served as a 

judge advocate, left active military service, and subseCurrently, CAPT Wes Burnett is a businessman who has 

earned multiple new licenses and professional credentials. He owns a law firm and a financial services firm with a 

partner in McLean, Va. 

“I loved every tour in the Navy, each one better than the 

last. I love what I do now as I know I add real value to my 

client’s lives and they know it too,” said CAPT Burnett.

CAPT Burnett legacy is with the Navy. He has relatives 

going back 100 years in the naval service and 200 years plus 

who were commissioned officers. CAPT Burnett joined the 

law community for its intellectual challenges. The logic of 

the law and the lure of international law drew him to the 

JAG Corps. CAPT Burnett served the JAG Corps from 

1976 to 2000.

CAPT Burnett attended Vanderbilt University where 

he was a member of the Naval Reserve Officers Training 

Corps. He continued his education at George Washington 

University for his Juris Doctor in 1975 and his Master of 

Laws degree in International Law in 1983. CAPT Burnett 

received all of his degrees with academic honors and is also 

a published author on international law. 

While in the Navy, CAPT Burnett always scored over 

290/300 on the Navy’s semi annual fitness exam even at age 

50. Physical fitness is still a priority in his life as he continues to participate annually in triathlons and 100 mile bike 

rides. 

In closing, CAPT Burnett offered this advice, “Join to see 

the world and enjoy variety of legal challenges.” 

quently made great contributions and 

achievements outside the military 

legal system.

A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, 

Senator Wicker received his Bachelors of Arts and juris doctorate from 

the University of Mississippi. He 

served on active duty in the U.S. 

Air Force from 1976 to 1978. He 

then served in the Air Force Reserve 

including an assignment as an appellate defense counsel in Washington, 

D.C., and retired in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant 

colonel. 

CAPT Tim Young currently resides in Nellysford Va. 

Now that he has retired from professional life he can 

now fully devote his time to his true passion – the wonderful game of golf. He served the JAG Corps from 1972 to 

2002.

“I’m grateful for the great opportunities afforded to me 

and to all judge advocates. I hope that all current and future 

judge advocates take advantage of the diverse practice and 

environments that are available within Navy JAG. The 

chance to be exposed to the myriad of legal issues found 

in today’s Navy is truly unique. The varied law practices 

and locations that are possible within JAG is really the 

difference between it and a civilian law firm,” said CAPT 

Young. 

CAPT Young is a true JAG Corps icon; he continues to 

be known for his compassion, good humor, common sense, 

and love of the JAG Corps. He was born in McAllen, Texas 

and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from 

Pan American University in 1971. Upon graduation from 

Naval Officer Candidate School in 1972, he received his 

commission. After a tour as Electrical Repair Officer 

aboard USS YELLOWSTONE (AD-27), he was selected 

for participation in the Law Education Program.

In August 1997 he assumed command at the Naval Justice School. In September 2000 until his retirement in September 2002, he served as Vice Commander, Naval Legal 

Service Command/ Director of Operations and Management for the Judge Advocate. 

CAPT Timothy Young CAPT Weston Burnett

Brig Gen (Ret) Edward Rodriguez, Jr., USAF; 

Senator Roger Wicker; and RADM (Ret.) Donald 

Guter, USN.
27

LT Graham Winegeart, NLSO PAC 

(Guam), and LT Michele Rosen, RLSO 

EURSWA, have been named as recipients of the 2007 LAMP Distinguished 

Service Award. These awards are given 

for exceptional achievement for service 

or support of the military legal assistance effort.

Milestones

CAPT Mark Lawton was relieved 

by CDR Anthony Mazzeo as Commanding Officer, U.S. Region Legal 

Service Office, Europe and Southwest Asia, during a ceremony in the 

base chapel at Naval Support Activity, 

Naples, Italy July 23. 

Military members, family, and 

friends gathered at NSA Naples’ Hope 

Chapel to bid CAPT Lawton farewell 

as he completed a three-year tour in 

Naples. CAPT Lawton will be the 

Assistant Judge Advocate General of 

the Navy at the Office of the Judge 

Advocate General’s in Washington, 

D.C.

CDR Shelby Hladon presented LN1 

Annette Walters the Navy-Marine 

Corps Achievement Medal and Sailor 

of the Year award in April 2008 during 

a ceremony in Everett, Wash. 

 As the leading petty officer in an 

office with a heavy case load, LN1 

Walters provided exceptional paralegal 

support to four prosecutors as well as 

excellent paralegal services to over forty 

tenant commands at Naval Air Station 

Whidbey Island. 

LT Harold Jones received a Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement ceremony in July. The award 

was presented in Jacksonville, Fla. 

CAPT Kirk Waits presented LT Jeffrey Pietrzyk the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his exceptional 

performance in Guantanamo Bay, 

Cuba. The award was presented in 

Jacksonville, Fla.

CAPT Kirk Waits, presented LCDR 

Fernette Moore the Navy-Marine 

Corps Commendation Medal as her end 

of tour award in Jacksonville, Fla.

LNC(SW/AW) Fernando Meave, 

RLSO Japan’s first Senior Enlisted Advisor, retired on July 7 at the Yokosuka 

Auditorium after 22 years of naval service. 

CAPT Stu Belt presided over the ceremony and RADM James Kelly was his 

guest speaker. While assigned to RLSO 

Japan, LNC Meave effectively managed constant challenges, ensuring forward deployed naval forces were always 

given outstanding legal support. 

LNC Jackie Anderson and LNC 

Lynette McDuffie at their graduation 

ceremony from Roger Williams University in Providence. R.I. May 17. LNC 

Anderson and LNC McDuffie graduated with a Paralegal Studies Bachelor’s 

degree.

CDR Charlie Schaff retired on 

June 20 in Rome, Italy. The ceremony was held on the grounds of 

the American Embassy, a 19th century palace. 

CDR Schaff’s last assignment was 

as the Legal Advisor to the Office of 

Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy 

Rome, Italy. The guest speaker at 

the retirement ceremony was the 

U.S. Ambassador, the Honorable 

Ronald Spogli. The Ambassador 

also presented a Defense Superior 

Service Medal to CDR Schaff.
2828

CAPT Michael Boock awarded 

OS2 Ashley Klinebriel with Sailor 

of the Year, Mr. Michael Humphrey

with Civilian of the Year, and LT Chris 

Jeter with Officer of the Year.

LT Eric Nelson swore ENS Scott 

Simpson into the JAG Corps. ENS 

Simpson received his undergraduate 

degree from Harvard and is presently a 

2L at University of Connecticut Law. 

CAPT Tom Greene swore in ENS 

Courtney Gordon-Tennant at a ceremony on board the Training Ship Empire 

State VI at Fort Schylar, State University 

of New York Maritime College.

CDR Andrew Henderson and LN1 Jessica Jeter represented the Navy 

when the Guam Bar Association recognized members of the military legal 

community at the Salute to Justice Husticia Award Presentation. The ceremony 

came at the end of an all-day fair that featured booths from U.S. Naval Legal 

Service Office, University of Guam’s Public Administration college, Guam 

Legal Services Corp., and other agencies and programs that offer legal services 

and education to the public.

Pictured from left to right is: Maria Cenzon Duenas; Rodney Jacob, past 

president of the Guam Bar Association; Judge Art Barcinas; Associate Justice 

Katherine Maraman; LN1 Jessica Jeter; Chief Justice Torres; CDR Andrew 

Henderson; Lt. Col. Stephen Shrewsbury, USAF; CAPT Benjamin Beliles, 

USCG; CAPT Bill Marhoffer, USCG; LT Elizabeth Buendia, USCG; and John 

Pangelinan of the USA. 

ENS Michael Jones, a law student 

who has been externing for both RLSO 

Midlant and RLSO Midwest, was 

recently commissioned. The oath was 

administered by his father. 

LT Ron DeSantis presented 

LN1 Kevin Jaress with his Expeditionary Warfare pin for his service with Naval Special Warfare 

Squadron One in Iraq. 

Milestones

LT Brian Burgtorf received the 

Defense Meritorious Service Medal 

for service while deployed in Iraq. The 

award was presented by Lieutenant General Lloyd Austin III, USA, in Baghdad.

CAPT Gregory Belanger presented

LN1 Cynthia Griffin with the Navy 

and Marine Corps Commendation 

Medal.

LT Gregory Morison, NLSO NW 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 

program coordinator, received a NavyMarine Corps Achievement Medal. He, 

along with his staff, coordinated over 

5,000 federal and 

state tax returns. 

They saved their 

customers over 

$600,000 in tax 

preparation fees. 

LT Emily Dewey received the 

Bronze Star for her nine month 

service in Iraq. 
29

CAPT Kirk Waits presented LCDR 

Marcus Fulton with his end of tour 

Navy Commendation Medal in Mayport, Fla.

RADM James Houck presented 

LCDR Davin Rieke the Navy-Marine 

Corps Commendation Medal in Bahrain. LCDR Rieke 

is on his way to the 

Naval War College 

to continue his education. 

Milestones

29

On April 2, the Region Legal Service Office Northwest held a change 

of command on board OLD MAN IV, the flag barge of Commander, Navy 

Region Northwest, at Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport, Wash. CAPT Martin 

Evans handed the reins to CDR Shelby Hladon. 

See your name in print! Submit your command awards 

and photos to natalie.morehouse@navy.mil

Toni Babauta graduated with 

honors from Guam Community College with her Associates of Science 

degree in Supervision and Management. Ms. Babauta had support 

from her daughters, LNCS Carla 

Smith, LTJG Josh Cornthwaite and 

his wife at her graduation.

LCDR Heather Partridge presented 

LN1 Richjard Flores with a plaque 

from the Guam High School Athletic 

Association for his volunteer efforts.

LCDR Dustin Wallace was recently named as the Navy’s recipient of 

the American Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Military Lawyer for 

2007-2008.

LCDR Wallace, an Enid, Okla. native, was presented the award at an 

Aug. 9 ceremony in New York City. 

The eight-year Navy veteran said his desire to 

practice law has been a lifelong aspiration. The 

opportunities provided by the Navy to practice law 

and travel the world are what drove him to his current profession.

His current position is in Yokosuka, Japan where 

he is the deputy fleet JAG for Commander, U.S. 

7th Fleet permanently embarked aboard USS Blue 

Ridge (LCC 19). 

VADM Bruce MacDonald and 

RADM James Houck presented 

the following awards at the recent 

JAG Training Symposium June 

6, 2008. The following recipients 

each received the Navy & Marine 

Corps Achievement Medal. 

LT Candice Albright received the 

medal for her professional achievement as Legal Assistance Attorney, 

Region Legal Service Office Southeast, branch office Corpus Christi, 

Texas.

Maj Richard Bellis received the 

medal for his professional achievement as Appellate Defense Counsel, 

Appellate Defense Division, Office of 

the Judge Advocate General.

LT Brent Faulkner received the 

medal for his professional achievement as Command Service Attorney 

and Branch Head, U.S. Region Legal 

Service Office Japan, branch Office 

Sasebo.

Maj Brian Keller received the 

medal for his professional achievement as Appellate Government Counsel, Appellate Government Division, 

Office of the Judge Advocate General.

LT Jonathan McKay received the 

medal for his professional achievement as Defense Counsel, Naval legal 

Service Office Southeast.

LT Allison Ward received the 

medal for her professional achievement as Recruiting Officer, Region 

Legal Service Office Midlant. 

LT Matthew Wooten received the 

medal for his professional achievement as Trial Counsel, Region Legal 

Service Office.

JTS Awards 
30

LN1 Brenda Behrendt and LN1 Ronald Alexander in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

LN1 Tricia Elders from RLSO Midlant Detachment 

Groton poses with US Army LTC Vanessa Berry 

at the crossed swords, Iraq.

Participants of the Camp Lemonier Breast Cancer Awareness Week and 5K Run.

Photos From The Fleet

Task Force 134 Legal HQ Golf Club at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Pictured are: Capt 

Joe Smiga (USAF), LT Ian Wolf, Capt Jeff Hawkins (USAF), LCDR Scott Thomas, 

LT John Montgomery, SSgt Matt Sherman (USAF), A1C Jeff Hart (USAF), A1C 

Angelica Colon (USAF), YN3 Javin Anderson, and Capt Dom Angiollo (USAF).

CDR Caren McCurdy at the Kabul City Jail. CDR McCurdy is on an 

individual augmentee assignment at the Combined Security Transition 

Command - Afghanistan serving as a legal mentor. 

VADM Bruce MacDonald and RADM James Houck (center) pose with OJAG interns. Interns 

pictured are: Richard Yorke; William Pendley; LT Mary Pohanka; Scott Allen; Katherine 

Spicer; Lisa Redmond; Thomas Brown; Chris Czaplak; Casey Fitzmaurice; Tony Ancelj; Mark 

Kawakami; Rachel Weidemann; and Amanda Adams. 
31

JAG crew en route to Army Training in Fort Jackson, S.C. LT Alyson Shuler, 

CAPT Martin Evans, CDR Caren McCurdy, LCDR Melissa Powers, and LCDR 

Lisa Becoat. CDR Caren McCurdy is headed to Combined Security Transition 

Command - Afghanistan and the others will serve in Iraq. 

CAPT Stu Belt, acted as the guest speaker and presented 

citizenship certificates to each new American during a 

naturalization ceremony held in Yokosuka at the base Chapel. 

There were 37 new citizens who took the oath from 13 countries. 

On Saturday, March 29, Valerie Darlene Washington Ayoub, 45, of 

Fredericksburg, Va., departed this life after a courageous year long battle with 

breast cancer. Valerie began her career as a Navy paralegal for OJAG, where she 

worked from 1985 until 1989. In 1985 Valerie met and fell in love with (at the 

that time, LN2) LNCM Tim Ayoub. The couple married in 1986 and had two sons. 

In 1994 Valerie returned to OJAG where she worked in support of the Admiralty 

and Claims Division. In 2001 Valerie resigned from her position at OJAG and 

devoted the remainder of her life to her family. 

In Memory of 

Valerie Darlene Washington Ayoub

November 13, 1962 - March 29, 2008
Office of the Judge Advocate General

Public Affairs Office

1322 Patterson Ave., SE, Suite 3000

Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5066

RLSO Northwest sought the “moral high ground” as the wardroom hiked up Green Mountain in Bremerton, WA. CDR Shelby Hladon, Commanding 

Officer of RLSO Northwest, took the opportunity to talk about professional responsibility and standards of conduct in the JAG Corps.