CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa -- Legal Services Support Section, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, reorganized recently to change how legal cases and services are processed in the Asia-Pacific region per Marine Administrative Message 416/12 Aug. 1.
The commandant of the Marine Corps directed the changes to the Marine Corps model for the provision of legal services support. As a result, LSSS is no longer responsible only for the units and commands on Okinawa.
"This reorganization will bring better services and advice to the commands and commanders we support here in the Pacific" said Chief Warrant Officer Robert R. Bender, a legal administrative officer with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
"Before this reorganization, we only provided services to Marines on Okinawa," said Bender. "Now, with the regional concept, the legal services support section will have the same area of operation as Marine Corps Installations Pacific."
As well as the changing area of operations, the roles and responsibilities assigned to LSSS and command staff judge advocates are now more clearly defined. LSSS will maintain the services aspect, while the staff judge advocates will provide command advice.
The change to a regional service system will not only benefit clients, but also newer attorneys.
The reorganization will bring experienced attorneys back into the courtroom and allow for mentorship of junior attorneys daily, according to Bender.
Each region will have a prosecutor with complex litigation teams to mentor and educate prosecutors throughout the region, as well as to try the more complex cases which arise, according to Maj. Gen. Vaughn A. Ary, the staff judge advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Another significant change is the addition of the victim and witness assistance program, as there will be a representative in each office whose primary job is to handle sexual assault cases. This will ensure each case is handled with the utmost effectiveness, and victims get all the help they need inside and outside the courtroom, according to Maj. Chantell M. Higgins, a military justice officer with LSSS.
Though the reorganization is designed to improve quality of services, LSSS has been recognized by the behavioral health family advocacy program for exceptional service in the past.
"Legal Services Support Section has gone above and beyond its required duties," said Jean A. Claffey, director of the behavioral health family advocacy program, Marine Corps Community Services Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. "The recognition and concern regarding the impact crime has on victims and the acknowledgment of their right to be informed about the criminal justice process demonstrates their commitment."
"This reorganization will allow us to assist commands in maintaining good order and discipline," said Col. William G. Perez, officer in charge of LSSS. "It will improve the capability of deployed operational law support and ensure victims' interests are protected."