Capt. Christopher Cederholm, Deputy Commander of Sector Puget Sound, presents Capt. Sarah Platt-Moser with a Meritorious Service Medal for her service as the Senior Reserve Officer at Sector Puget Sound. Photo taken by LT John Garland. Lt. j.g. Avery Lowe is congratulated by Capt. Gennaro A. Ruocco for being awarded the 2020 Captain John G. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Award. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Smith RJAGs recognized for 2020 support Story by Capt. Mike Barton and Cmdr. Lineka N. Quijano As a result of the Deepwater Horizon Incident, the Coast Guard established the Reserve Judge Advocate Program in 2013. The program, which is composed of reserve attorneys (RJAGs), specializes in providing operational advice to incident commanders and legal assistance support to Coast Guard personnel and their families following a disaster. Since 2013, RJAGs have mobilized to provide legal support in every major contingency response. As a result, the RJAG Program has received numerous awards recognizing the incredible work of RJAGs who volunteered to render aid to their affected shipmates. For example, Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Miller was recognized as the Coast Guard’s Reserve Outstanding Junior Officer in 2018, in part for his support in the responses for Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Miller selflessly volunteered for Title 14 mobilization to provide 24/7 legal support to more than 600 Coast Guard members, dependents, and civilians who were evacuated from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, RJAGs were recognized by the Judge Advocate’s Association and the American Bar Association numerous times for their exemplary disaster response efforts. Most recently, 10 RJAGs were part of a team that received the Operations Center. prestigious ABA “Legal Assistance for Military Personnel” award for their distinguished service as members of legal support teams, or LSTs, during the complicated 2020 hurricane season. During the span of seven months, the gulf and east coast of the United States experienced a total of 30 named storms; 13 of which developed into hurricanes and six that intensified into major hurricanes. A record high of eight named storms made landfall in the Coast Guard’s Eighth District area of responsibility, impacting thousands of Coast Guard members and their families stationed in the affected areas. Numerous families were displaced 48 RESERVIST � Issue 4 • 2021 RJAG Lt. Victoria Phoenix routinely serves as a member of legal support teams, operating from Homeland Security Task Force- Southeast Incident Command Post at Miami-Dade Emergency when their homes were struck by repeat storms, which resulted in catastrophic losses of personal and real property. In response to these natural disasters and the impact on Coast Guard personnel and their families, five LSTs deployed to various affected areas. The LSTs strategically comprised active duty, reserve, and civilian attorneys and legal support personnel from Coast Guard units around the country. Balancing the dangers of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as policy and travel limitations, these teams created an innovative telephone help-line approach to identify member needs. Additionally, LSTs traveled extensively throughout the region to provide timely, face-to-face legal support to hundreds of Coast Guard families who evacuated to various locations to limit the spread of the virus. Given their in-depth training, LSTs were prepared to assist hundreds with many different and complex legal issues, including powers-of- attorney and wills, insurance claims, and landlord-tenant disputes. “The level of legal assistance support to Coast Guard families following a major disaster can be daunting,” said Chris Dunne, the Coast Guard Chief of Legal Assistance. “Without the support of RJAGs trained and ready to mobilize, we would be severely challenged in our ability to meet the needs of Coast Guard families in disaster zones.” In the aftermath of the 2020 hurricane season, innovative, tireless, and exceptional support from the LSTs reassured Coast Guard members that the Coast Guard was there to help them and their families so that they could help others. “I couldn’t be prouder,” said Rear Adm. Melissa Bert, the Coast Guard Judge Advocate General. “Our legal support teams are completely focused on taking care of our most important asset, our people.” �
