The Waterline June 7, 2012
www.cnic.navy.mil/ndw
Vol. XXIX No.23 waterline@dcmilitary.com
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NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Naval District Washington Commemorates 70th Anniversary of Battle of Midway at U.S. Navy Memorial by Benjamin Christensen, NDW Waterline staff writer Naval DistrictWashington commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway with a wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in downtownWashington, June 4. The Battle of Midway took place from June 4-8 1942, and is noted as being the first real turning point in the war, and the first decisive victory by the United States in the war with Japan. The Imperial Japanese navy (IJN) had already made broad strokes in the Pacific, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of the Philippines, Malaya and Singapore, the Battle ofWake Island and recently a tactical victory at Coral Sea. However, with a sweeping victory at Midway, Allied forces had sunk four Japanese aircraft carriers and were primed for the counter-offensive that would win the Pacific War. Highlights of the ceremony included music throughout the service provided by the United States Navy Band, and a wreathlaying to join the dozens of others taking place throughout the Navy to remember the battle. The commemoration featured speakers such as Director, Marine Corps Staff Lt. Gen. Willie J. Williams, U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Johnathan Greenert providing remarks. "I'd like to say thank you to the many veterans who served, not only inWorldWar II, but in Midway," said Greenert. "It's because of you that we exist today as the greatest Navy in the world. I'd also like to thank our Sailors who are out there getting the job done, day in and day out." The event was concluded with a reading of the Midway Proclamation, authored by the CNO, which was subsequently
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Kiona Miller
Sailors and Marines attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was the turning point in the Pacific War See Midway, Page 8 and set the stage for the United States to win the Second World War.
Tenant Command Overview: Office of the Judge Advocate General By Benjamin Christensen, NDW Waterline staff writer If it is anything legal, more than likely it has to do with the Office of the Judge Advocate General, also known as OJAG, and it’s headquartered right here in Naval District Washington (NDW). Born out of a relatively complex history with its roots in the British Naval Codes, the position of Judge Advocate General was created by an act of Congress in 1880. Over the years, and especially in the 1940s and 50s when line officers were given restricted duty to allow them to focus on the practice of military
law, the organization grew into what it is today. While many might consider OJAG as being the criminal justice system of the Navy, especially after the prominence the organization enjoyed following the running of the popular television series JAG, trying cases against accused criminals is a relatively small part of what OJAG does. The organization, which shares legal responsibility with the Office of the General Counsel, handles a wide range of military legal issues, such as administrative and civil law, investigations from the admiralty, and environmental concerns.
As the Judge Advocate General himself, currentlyVice Adm. JamesW. Houck is tasked primarily with providing legal advice and support to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) and the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), his Corps is tasked with supporting those missions on the ground. There is not a single command or Navy organization that does not rely somewhat on the expertise of the JAG Corps. "Collaboration with other commands is important because they are the clients," said Capt. Scott Thompson, OJAG director of military person-
nel. "Looking up the chain of command from the bottom all the way up to the CNO and the Secretary, they all have uniformed lawyers‌ that provide superb solutions to the Navy's legal problems." According toThompson, life for one of the about 830 Judge Advocates (JAs) in the JAG Corps is fairly complex, although they share the same trials and tribulations of working in Washington, D.C. and in military installations such as theWashington NavyYard (WNY) and the Pentagon. Approximately one-third of JAs are stationed in the D.C. area, many of them here at theWNY. What is notable, however, is
Inside Link directly to the NDW Facebook page on your smart phone
Around the Yard, Page 2
Book Review, Page 6
See Advocate, Page 8