Defense Service Office Pacific Now Open for Business

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Defense Service Office, Pacific (DSO) began service alongside the Regional Legal Service Office (RLSO) on the second floor of the Personnel Support Detachment Building onboard Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Nov. 9.

"It was less of a disestablishment and more of a transition and realignment. There hasn't been any changes in services provided, just in who's been providing them," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Halliden, executive officer of DSO.

Halliden said that the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps took a look at the services that their RLSOs were providing (defense and legal services) and split that function in two, and hence the birth of DSO.

"Now we have a command that focuses strictly on defense," Halliden said. "Defense for the sailor means representation at courts-marital, representation at administrative separation boards, and personal representation services, any action a Sailor is facing that might require a defense attorney."

Halliden said that RLSOs still provide legal services, prosecution, and command services (advice to commander).

DSOs will be staffed by more senior military attorneys, and they will focus only on defending their clients according to Halliden.

Senior Chief Legalman Gregory Cook, DSO's senior enlisted advisor, said that this reorganization helps his office focus more on the legal work. "It benefits the service member because we're able to get a much closer relationship with the client, spend more time specifically focused on their cases, and provide a much higher level of defense service."

Halliden said that DSO-Pacific's territory is all naval installations from Hawaii to Diego Garcia which includes all of Japan, Guam, and Singapore.

Personnel authorized for DSO's services are active duty military and reservists. Personnel authorized for DLSO's services are active duty military, their spouses and family members, Reservists on deployment or active duty orders, and DOD (stateside hire) civilians.

The hours of operation for both offices are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Appointments are required for individuals who would like to see an attorney, or are seeking wills, powers of attorney, notary public, and other such services. Walk-in times for legal services are Thursdays from 1 to 3:30 pm.

For more information, visit www.jag.navy.mil.

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.