In the 21st century, Americans have increasingly recognized the value of diversity in the workplace and the U.S. Navy is no exception. The Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps has taken an active part in developing this initiative through their involvement with the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA).

In order to develop a more diverse Navy, the JAG Corps recently launched a revamped diversity organization liaison program. A key architect of this initiative is Lt. Cmdr. Mishonda Mosley, judge advocate on board USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

"The Navy JAG Corps launched this diversity initiative because we've realized over the years that a diverse group of lawyers makes for a good group of lawyers for the Navy, and I wanted JAG Corps recruiting efforts to reflect that," said Mosley. "The Navy is diverse and therefore we want to make sure that its lawyers represent the entire fleet."

Through the program, judge advocates who have served with distinction are assigned as liaisons to different diversity organizations. Those selected are tasked with building strong and lasting relationships with these organizations over a number of years.

"Different groups need to be represented, whether it's women, Native Americans, Hispanics, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and so on," said Mosley. "I am one of two JAG Corps liaisons to the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) because I have long-standing ties to the organization, which I hope to strengthen now as Navy judge advocate."

Founded in 1968, the NBSLA's goal is to increase the number of African American and minority attorneys by providing them with educational resources and opportunities. As a liaison, Mosley attended NBLSA's national convention in Houston, Texas, March 8-10 to recruit graduating students for service in the JAG Corps and to lay the groundwork for the program.

"It was quite an honor to find out that the liaison program I had developed would be the one that other diversity organizations would follow," said Mosley. "I have quite an intimate knowledge of how NBLSA works. I was elected to the position of national chair in my first year of law school and re-elected the year after, so I do have some significant historical ties with the organization."

One of the challenges the liaison program faces in recruiting minorities for the military is finding students who have graduated, or are about to graduate, who have not already received job offers from law firms or other government entities. Additionally, many lawyers are the first in their family to achieve this milestone and are concerned with family obligations.

"The revamped liaison program allows us to stay engaged with organization members early on," said Mosley. "[At] Every major meeting, event or retreat, we engage with them to keep an open dialogue and put to rest any concerns they may have about the military option."

Transitioning to a reworked program, in addition to being a liaison and representative of the Navy, GHWB and the JAG Corps is a role that Mosley does not take lightly.

"I am extremely grateful to the commanding officer for supporting the effort," said Mosley. "I'm glad we have the kind of leaders that look at the bigger picture for the Navy. Loaning their assets during a deployment is unusual, but they realized how it would serve the greater good."

The Navy, like the nation it serves, is ever-changing and progressing with the times. Like Mosley, men and women who serve are looked upon to spearhead the drive for a more diverse team.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests.

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