ASAN, Guam (Feb. 12, 2019) – Legalman 1st Class Oneka Stegall, assigned to Region Legal Service Office Japan, was named the 2018 Naval Legal Service Command Sailor of the Year during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard Jan. 25.
A member of her high school’s law academy, and an aspiring lawyer, Stegall currently serves as the force paralegal for Joint Region Marianas and is the leading petty officer of RLSO Japan Branch Office Guam. She is responsible for managing the region’s staff judge advocate and legal assistance offices, as well as military justice inputs to the General Court-Martial Convening Authority.
“Being a paralegal, our job is to make sure that we have order and discipline wherever we go. I think that plays a substantial part in the Navy’s mission,” she said. “I’m very humbled because I’ve been through a lot, and I never want people to see what I’ve gone through – just that I’ve been able to achieve.”
The Navy’s Judge Advocate General, Vice Adm. John Hannink, and Command Master Chief Jondell Ritchie presented Stegall with the award and recognized her accomplishments and contributions to the Navy.
Stegall said she feels honored to represent RLSO Japan, to be part of a detachment in Guam, and to represent both areas of responsibility.
She believes legalmen are not only the backbone to their attorneys, with the versatility to pick up other collateral duties, but are instruments for fellow Sailors who may need assistance with dealing with legal matters prior to deployment to remedy potential issues while overseas.
Her exemplary performance is driven by her three children, to whom she strives to be a good role model and provider.
“The only thing that comes to my mind is humility,” she added. “Knowing where you came from, knowing the things you have done to get to where you are, and just being thankful and grateful that you’re making it. Sometimes life puts limits on you, but you don’t have to put limits on yourself.”
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2019 21:11 |
| Story ID: | 310363 |
| Location: | ASAN, GU |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, JRM’s Force Paralegal Named NLSC Sailor of the Year, by Alana Chargualaf, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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