From: Rear Admiral Steven B. Kantrowitz, JAGC, USNR
To: All Naval Reserve Judge Advocates and Legalmen
Subj: FlagpE-Gram 01-02
Date: 18 December 2000
1. On 8-10 December, I had the pleasure of hosting the JAG Reserve Leadership Conference in New Orleans. The Deputy Judge Advocate General and Commander Naval Legal Service Command, Rear Admiral Mike Lohr, addressed the conference and attended a number of social events and presentations. I appreciate his support and that of Rear Admiral Don Guter, whom he represented. Also addressing the conference were Rear Admiral John Totushek (Chief of Naval Reserve, Commander Naval Reserve Force and Director of Naval Reserve); Rear Admiral John Brunelli (Commander Naval Surface Reserve Force); and Rear Admiral Jim Eastwood (Deputy Commander, Atlantic Fleet). These Reserve Flag leaders provided critical information and perspective on our role in supporting the fleet and details on current and future program direction. I am grateful for their support and time.
2. Nearly all Selected Reserve Commanding Officers and invited Staff Judge Advocates attended. Special praise is due to the ten Voluntary Training Unit (Law) Commanding Officers who attended at their own expense. The attendees received training and program guidance on a wide variety of topics, including fitness reports/evaluations, funding issues for the community, planning, enlisted development, professionalism (Naval vice legal), and technology. The direction given to them was to take their training back to our entire program – i.e., every Reserve legalman and judge advocate. To further get this important information out, my Deputy and our Webmaster, Captain Mac Carter, will be posting many of the presentations on our site – www.nrjag.org. You need to review this material.
3. My message to the conference was simple: Our leadership, and indeed the entire program, must concentrate on two things. First, get the job done for the gaining command and other clients (Reserve Centers, etc.). Our gaining commands, in particular, must be provided with timely quality support. I am implementing procedures for every law program gaining command to provide me with feedback on the support that you provide. Second, develop our personnel, officer and enlisted, junior and senior. That is the way we will improve our service and the only way we will retain our best people. The Deputy and the Senior Enlisted Advisors will be monitoring progress on professional development and providing me with their evaluation. Use the chain of command and contact my staff for any support you require to accomplish our goals. Problems need to be dealt with now.
4. Everyone should focus on these two goals. I am personally "walking that walk." I have already served in the Pentagon and out of town handling matters for Admirals Guter and Lohr. The Leadership Conference was my opportunity to develop our leaders so that they can effectively work with their commands and staffs to train and mentor our entire program. I acknowledge the tremendous progress by our enlisted leadership, Master Chief Jones and Senior Chief Ayoub, in their mentoring program for Chiefs to support our legalmen.
5. Captain Mac Carter and I wish everyone in the program and their families a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year. Your superb service to our Navy and Nation is appreciated, and we know that this service often causes difficult balancing acts with your "other job" and family commitments. Thank you.
R,
Steven B. Kantrowitz