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CHAPTER 14
OFFICE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
This chapter is designed to give you an insight into
both the organizational makeup of naval legal service
offices and the major elements that an office manager
must deal with to have an effective and well-run office.
As a senior LN, you will probably be in charge of a staff
judge advocate (SJA) office or a naval legal service
office (NAVLEGSVCOFF or NLSO for short) division
and have a title such as administrative supervisor or
administrative assistant. Just because you have reached
this level does not mean you can sit back and he a
supervisor. To ensure an efficient office, you must be
aggressively involved in its operations. Involvement is
the key to effective management. Your involvement
starts at the top and carries through the entire command
structure. You have to know not only your command’s
organizational structure but also its mission.
How many times during your career have you
experienced effective and ineffective management
techniques by superiors that can only be termed as
unforgettable? You should learn from both good and
bad experiences. As you progress through your career,
apply all your experiences and strive to achieve the best
possible results from any situation.
Good office managers keep their minds open and
have the ability to make changes when they arc needed.
Before you make any changes to your office, you must
first understand exactly how it operates. Analyze the
office and the functions it performs in the light of how
performance can be improved. You may not be able to
change the present organization, nor may you want to;
however, you must understand it thoroughly. This is
where involvement is important. For instance, there
may be many occasions where you will have to perform
the work as well as supervise the work of your
subordinates. After it is clear in your mind what is to be
done and by whom, you may want to consider
modification, consolidation, or reorganization of your
office. Knowing how your office currently operates is
the first step in managing it yourself. And remember
that you must always consider your office’s operation
within the larger context of your command’s overall
mission.
ORGANIZATION OF THE NAVAL
LEGAL SERVICE COMMAND
The Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy
has the additional duty to the Chief of Naval Operations
(CNO) as the Commander, Naval Legal Service
Command. In this capacity he or she administers the
legal services program and provides command direction
for all naval legal service activities and resources. The
Commander, Naval Legal Service Command has
command over all NLSOs. Each NLSO is headed by a
commanding officer (CO). Most NLSOs also have
detachment and branch offices under them that are
commanded by officers in charge (OICs).
The primary purpose of the Naval Legal Service
Command and its subordinate offices is to provide
necessary legal services to commands and personnel in
specified geographical areas. This service is done with
a minimum of judge advocates through consolidation of
available legal resources at locations with a high
concentration of naval commands and personnel. It also
places defense counsel under the authority of the
Commander, Naval Legal Service Command to nullify
any possibility of command control in their defense of
court-martial accused.
NAVAL LEGAL SERVICE OFFICES
NLSOs, under the command of the Commander,
Naval Legal Service Command, are placed throughout
the world to meet Navy needs. Every NLSO provides
legal as well as administrative and educational services
for naval activities and personnel within its specified
geographical area.
NLSOs provide all necessary legal services and
counsel for command legal matters such as military
justice, investigations, claims, legal assistance, and
administrative proceedings. NLSOs also perform the
following functions:
l
l
Provide clerical assistance in the preparation of
records and board hearings
Process and adjudicate claims within the limits
of assigned authority
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