The Fiscal Year 2015 Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps In-Service Procurement Program (IPP) board selected a Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group Sailor from a pool of 15 talented applicants.

The JAG Corps IPP selection board selected Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class (IDW) Melisa J. Wink, Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group. The board used the "whole person" concept to identify the applicant with the greatest potential for successful service as a Navy judge advocate.

Wink enlisted in the Navy in 2012 after graduating summa cum laude from William Penn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law and History.

"Since I was very young, I aspired to be a lawyer and to serve my country," said Wink. "Upon graduating college, I decided to pursue the desire to serve my country and put my dream of become a lawyer aside."

The JAG Corps developed the IPP to create a pathway for enlisted Sailors to become judge advocates.

"The JAG Corps IPP provides a commissioning option for talented and motivated Sailors. Officers commissioned through JAGC IPP will provide diversity of perspective, thought, and experience," said Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi, Judge Advocate General of the Navy.

After graduating first in her class at "A" School, Wink reported aboard the Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group in Washington, D.C., where she conducts cyber intelligence analysis in support of U.S. 10th Fleet operations. She quickly made critical contributions to projects with Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and interagency involvement, earning recognition as her command's 2013 Bluejacket of the Year.

In addition to her professional excellence, she has also volunteered hundreds of hours as a local youth soccer coach and took the initiative to learn about the JAG Corps by performing additional duties as a paralegal for the Fleet Cyber Command staff judge advocate's office.

"I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from other members in the JAG Corps community, and then combining what I learn from them with my personal legal training to provide quality legal assistance, from a unique perspective, to Sailors throughout the Navy," said Wink.

The JAG Corps IPP provides both funded and unfunded paths to JAG Corps commissions. Sailors who have earned a baccalaureate degree may apply for funded legal education; Sailors who have already earned a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and a bar license from any U.S. state or territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia may apply for direct commission.

"I am so fortunate to have such an amazing opportunity granted to me and thankful for the mentors that led me through the process," said Wink.

The next step for Wink is to work with the JAG Corps detailer to finalize law school selection.

"The JAG Corps IPP is a unique program that combines both subjects in which I am sincerely passionate about," said Wink. "It also enables me to realize both of my dreams; something I previously thought would not be possible."

The JAG Corps IPP is open to active-duty enlisted personnel and Navy full-time support personnel, in any rating or military occupational specialty, in pay grades E-5 through E-7 with at least two years and not more than 10 years of service at the time of application. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and under the age of 42 by the time of commissioning.

Complete application procedures and education requirements are provided in NAVADMIN 129/14 and can be found in the "Careers" section of the JAG Corps Web site.

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