The 2015 Legalman of the Year and Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year were announced during a ceremony at Washington Navy Yard, Jan. 29.

Legalman 1st Class Calvin Gordon was named the 2015 Legalman of the Year and Legalman 1st Class Angie Ruiz-Diaz was named the 2015 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year.

Rear Adm. John Hannink, commander, Naval Legal Service Command, recognized the six finalists for their accomplishments and the impact they have had on not only the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps community but the entire Navy.

"It truly is a special day for all of our finalists," Hannink said. "The future of our legalman community is strong and the JAG Corps is in good hands for the foreseeable future."

Gordon is currently assigned to USS Wasp (LHD-1) as an independent duty legalman and executive department leading petty officer.

"This honor is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of my fellow Sailors and our commitment to serving our country with all we have," Gordon said.

Ruiz-Diaz is currently serving as the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Midwest command services leading petty officer responsible for overseeing military justice cases for eight commands that are responsible for the initial accession training of 20,000 Sailors annually.

"Being recognized as the Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year means the world to me," Ruiz-Diaz said. "Winning will truly be motivation for all my Sailors to strive to be the best. This is in honor of them having believed in me and all of their hard work."

The six finalists traveled to Washington, D.C. for the final board and toured the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Pentagon where they met with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens.

"In December, a preliminary board was convened to select the top three finalists in each category," said Command Master Chief Jondell Ritchie, Office of the Judge Advocate General. "There were 18 legalmen nominated for JAG Legalman of the Year and 14 Sailors were nominated for Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year. The finalists represent the best of the Sailors serving in the Navy JAG Corps."

The Legalman of the Year finalists were Legalman 1st Class Matthew Gammon, USS Boxer (LHD-4) and Legalman 1st Class Giannina Gutierrez, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.

The Sailor of the Year finalists were Legalman 1st Class Rebecca Duclayan, RLSO Northwest and Legalman 1st Class Michael Montieth, Naval Justice School.

The Navy JAG Corps provides commanders, Sailors, and Navy families with legal solutions wherever and whenever required to enable effective naval and joint operations.

Naval Legal Service Command provides prosecution, defense, personal representation, legal assistance and other command services to shore and afloat commands throughout the world.

For more news from Navy Judge Advocate General, visit www.navy.mil/.