Rear Admiral Kristin McCarthy is a native of San Diego, California. She graduated with a B. A. in History from UCLA in 1993 and earned her Juris Doctorate from The USC Gould School of Law in May 1996. She reported to her first permanent duty station, Pearl Harbor HI, in 1997. McCarthy served as a defense counsel at Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO) Pacific Det-Pearl Harbor, representing Sailors and Marines at courts-martial and administrative hearings throughout the Pacific. Next, she became the Staff Judge Advocate at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Soon after, McCarthy took additional responsibility as AFJA for the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet. In 1999 she transferred to NLSO, North Central as a legal assistance attorney and claims officer. In 2000, she became the Officer in Charge at the Joint Pentagon Legal Assistance Office.

After the birth of her son, McCarthy left active duty, returning to San Diego in 2004. She transitioned to selres status in 2005; joining NR RLSO SW as Training and Division Officer. In 2007 McCarthy mobilized as the SJA for Naval Coastal Warfare Group ONE and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE. Upon completion of mobilization orders, LCDR McCarthy volunteered to serve as ASJA for CNRSW during a manning crisis.

McCarthy transferred to NR ESG-3 in 2008. In 2009 she served as Operational Environmental Counsel at RLSO SW. In 2009-2010 she provided Commander Naval Special Warfare Command support in both the IG and SJA Offices. In December 2009, McCarthy was selected as the Executive Officer for NR ESG-3. In 2010 and 2011, while providing legal expertise to both ESG-3 active and reserve, she served as DSJA at CNRSW and SJA for NBSD, supervised the RLSO SW post-trial process, and provided FOIA, military justice and ethics support to Commander Naval Air Forces. She received the RADM Hugh H. Howell, Jr. Award of Excellence (Junior Officer) in 2011.

McCarthy was the Deputy SJA for RCC SW 2011-2013. During this tour she received the 2013 RADM Hugh H. Howell, Jr. Award of Excellence (Senior Officer). She served as Executive Officer for NR RLSO SW 2013-2015 and as Executive Officer for NR DSO West 2015-2017. McCarthy was the Commanding Officer of NR DSO West from 2017-2019. From December 2019–November 2020 she was the SJA for RCC Great Lakes and then the SJA for RCC SE through February 2021. After her second CO tour at NR RLSO SW ended in February 2023, she became the Director of Legal Services for the Reserve Component JAGC through September 2025.

RDML McCarthy is a member of the California bar and is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

Last Updated: 6 October 2025