NAVY RESERVE LAW PROGRAM FLAGpGRAM

January 2008

Happy New Year! I send my personal best to each of you, and to your families and loved ones. I trust that the holidays were safe and happy, and I wish you a great 2008.

We have had a very full 2007, and we can expect no let-up this year, as some exciting developments, upon which many of us have been working for a long time, come to fruition. We have been challenged by change and a very high operational tempo for many years now, extending back at least to 9/11. As I like to say, this challenge has always meant opportunity. We have embraced that opportunity as a community over the last few years in ways that can only inspire. Many, many thanks -- and BZ!!

We have built some great plans; now our emphasis will be on execution. I recognize, though, that change can be stressful – especially now, when we are all so busy. The best way to deal with that stress is to keep lines of communication open, and that is my goal over the next few months. My efforts toward this end will include:

· As a foundation, a change to the format of this FlagpGram, from an occasional outlet to a monthly, 1.5-page (maximum) fix on where we are in our Active-Reserve Alignment and Integration (ARA/ARI) efforts, and in our operations generally;

· Specific and detailed information on each initiative via tailored communications and via presentations at the CO/SJA Symposium in New Orleans in 8-10 February, and at our MLTS-E and –W;

· Opportunities for exchanges during visits I plan to make again this year to AORs not well-covered by our MLTS cycle; and

· Other means and communications that I will use, including monthly Leadership Telephone Conferences with SJAs, JAG Magazine articles and columns, and collaboration with RADM MacDonald to make his Quarterly Update e-mails to you as informative as possible.

What can you expect to be hearing and talking about? Here are some highlights:

· The implementation of our first billet restructuring and re-alignment in many years;

· Our initial steps toward building cadres of specialists and areas of specialized practice to support the mission where it makes sense to do so – even as we maintain our character as a flexible, responsive resource;

· Our efforts to build the agile, deep, and professional Reserve legalman community of the future;

· New initiatives and opportunities in the realms of training and mentoring, with RC on both the delivering and receiving ends of the equation; and

· New opportunities to serve – including the exciting prospect of recall to career active duty status for a select few, and the ongoing opportunity to be at the very “pointy end” serving our nation and Navy on extended active duty via ADSW or on mobilization for IAs and special tasks.

So, in sum, watch this space, plug in to your chains of command for the “gouge”, be sure to attend community gatherings, watch for RADM MacDonald’s updates, go to NKO JAG sites – in other words, do everything you can to stay on top of what we are doing. I will do my part. Together, we will make 2008 another year to remember and build upon.

Given who we are and what we’ve got, I have no doubts about the outcomes. You always make me very, very proud!


Norton Joerg
04 January 2008