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Staff Judge Advocate
Staff Judge Advocate at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

SJA photo

There are a number of legal offices at MCAS Iwakuni. Most of these offices are co-located in Building 608 with the Provost Marshal's Office, and include the Staff Judge Advocate and a Legal Services Support Team (LSST). In general, the Staff Judge Advocate provides advice to the commanding officer regarding ethics, military justice, and installation legal matters involving foreign jurisdiction, on-base businesses, and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The LSST primarily provides legal assistance services to individuals regarding estate planning, family law, powers-of-attorney, consumer law issues, passports, immigration, and other types of civil law matters. There is also a Victims' Legal Counsel located in Building 608 who provides representation to victims of various crimes. A Pacific Area Counsel is currently located in Building 360.

Command Legal Advice:  The Staff Judge Advocate provides timely and accurate advice to the command on military justice, ethics, foreign jurisdiction, and installation legal matters. For assistance, call DSN 253-5593.

Foreign Jurisdiction:  This section of the SJA coordinates and processes all Japanese jurisdiction cases involving Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) members that come under the cognizance of MCAS Iwakuni. In this capacity, this section coordinates with Japanese attorneys, police, and provides counsel to SOFA members and arranges condolence visits in order to properly resolve all criminal and civil issues implicating Japanese law. The Japanese Jurisdiction Office’s Claims Section processes foreign claims, military claims, personal claims, hospital recovery claims, and government claims. All compensation requests are processed in coordination with Japanese and U.S. agencies and governing law. For more information, call DSN 253-5593 / 7226 or send an email to IWKN_SMB_SJA_SJJ@usmc.mil .

Installation Law:  This section of the SJA provides legal advice to the commanding officer and his staff regarding any foreign legal issue impacting MCAS Iwakuni. Installation law also includes guidance to individuals concerning the policies and regulations of MCAS Iwakuni. Common issues that the Installation Law Section addresses are: Ethics for Federal employees, FOIA and the Privacy Act, on-base commercial activities, private organizations, community relations activities, fundraisers and jurisdictional issues. Individuals seeking to start an on-base business, a private organization, or conduct a fundraiser should contact the Installation Law Section. For more information, call DSN 253-5593.

Please click here to go to SOFA Information page.

MCAS Iwakuni's Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) is designed to ensure victims and witnesses of crime are treated with fairness and dignity and are afforded their rights throughout the criminal justice process – from the first report of a crime through any period of confinement adjudged by a court-martial.

The Marine Corps VWAP instruction is contained in MCO 5800.16-v16.


VICTIM WITNESS LIAISON OFFICER

The Victim and Witness Liaison Officer (VWLO) acts as the manager for the Victim and Witness Assistance Program aboard the station. In that capacity, the VWLO chairs the VWAP Council, manages and maintains a list of all unit Victim Witness Assistance Coordinators and other station Victim Witness Representatives, provides liaison with local civilian services for victims of crime, tracks all services provided and is the central point of contact for the station program.

Pursuant to Marine Corps Directives, each office or agency which provides services to victims and witnesses (see list below) appoints a Victim Witness Assistance Representative and each unit (Battalion and Squadron level and above) appoints a Victim Witness Assistance Coordinator (VWAC). The VWAC and other representatives are responsible for that unit or office’s part of the base VWAP.

The Victim Witness Liaison Officer can be contacted at DSN 253-5593/Comm (0827)79-5593/Int’l Comm 011-81-827-79-5593 or email: carson.j.severson@usmc.mil.


BASE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

Chaplain

MCAS Iwakuni Chaplain’s office offers counseling, religious ministries, and related services to victims & witnesses upon request.
DSN: 253-3371 (Comm 0827-79-3371)
Duty Cell Phone: 080-6612-9244


Legal Assistance

The MCAS Iwakuni Legal Assistance office provides legal assistance for family matters such as divorce and child support and can provide referral to civilian attorneys when needed.
DSN: 253-5591 (Comm: 0827-79-5591)
Int’l Comm: 011-81-827-79-5591


Prosecution/Military Justice Office

The Legal Services Support Team-Iwakuni provides legal advice and support to all MCAS Iwakuni tenant commands in the prosecution of Marines and Sailors in general, special, and summary courts-martial. Rights and services afforded to victims and witnesses during the criminal trial process include: the right to be present at all public court proceedings, the right to be contacted about the proposed dismissal of any and all charges, the right to be consulted on decisions not to prosecute, the right to be contacted regarding the proposed terms of any negotiated plea, and the right to be notified of the acceptance of a guilty plea, or any conviction, sentencing and imprisonment of the accused.
DSN: 253-5591 (Comm: 0827-79-5591)
Int’l Comm: 011-81-827-79-5591


MCAS Iwakuni Criminal Investigation and Law Enforcement

NCIS, CID, and PMO provide investigative services for criminal offenses. Criminal investigators and law enforcement personnel are responsible for providing victims and witnesses of crimes with the initial information under the VWAP and ensuring they have points of contact for all available services and assistance under the VWAP.
NCIS: 253-5580/5589/4551
CID: 253-3139 (Duty: 080-6612-9256)
PMO Desk Sgt: - 253-3303/3432


Victim Advocacy Support Program

MCAS Iwakuni’s Victim Advocates respond to sexual assault and domestic violence incidents 24/7 by providing supportive and advocacy services for the victim.
DSN: 253-4526, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Holidays and weekends contact the 24/7 hotline at 090-9978-1033.


Correctional Facilities(Brigs)

Military brigs house inmates before, during, and after the trial.  An accused service member placed in pretrial confinement, or sentenced to 30 days or less of confinement is housed at the MCAS Iwakuni Brig.  Post-trial inmates will be sent to the Okinawa Brig, Camp S. D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.  As a victim or a witness, upon request you will be afforded the right to receive notifications regarding changes in the status of an inmate including: release, parole, transfer, and death.
MCAS Iwakuni Comm: 011-81-827-79-3412
MCB Okinawa Comm: 011-81-611-723-4948


Medical

MCAS Iwakuni’s Branch Medical Clinic provides medical services for military personnel and their family members.
DSN: 255-8000 (Comm: 0827-94-8000)

The mission of the Voting Assistance Program is to ensure that every Marine, their eligible family members and other personnel serving with a Marine Corps unit, who are absent from their voting residence and who are eligible to vote under the laws of their state, are provided absentee voting information and assistance to ensure that they have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

The right to vote is one of the most important civil liberties. Moreover, voting is an obligation that accompanies and protects the freedoms we enjoy. Since the birth of our Nation, Americans have understood their obligation as citizens to vote. By meeting their obligation to express themselves with the ballot, Americans have preserved our democratic system. All Marines, civilian employees, and their family members are encouraged to exercise their right to vote.


Local Voting Assistance Offices (VAO)

The following points of contact are provided to assist you with navigating the voting process for the elections for which you are eligible.

H&HS    
Phone Number: 0827-79-3913    
DSN: 253-3913

MAG-12
Phone Number: 0827-79-7579
DSN: 253-7579

VMGR-152
Phone Number: 0827-94-2176
DSN: 255-2176

VMFA-242
Phone Number: 0827-94-3850
DSN: 255-3850

MWSS-171
Phone Number: 0827-79-5424
DSN: 253-5424

MALS-12
Phone Number: 0827-94-3529
DSN: 255-3529

CLC-36
Phone Number: 0827-79-6442
DSN: 253-6442

Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni
Phone Number: 0827-94-8282
DSN: 255-8282

MCCS
Phone Number: 0827-79-3030
DSN: 253-3030 


Contact Information

Voting Assistance Office
PSC 561 Box 1895
FPO AP 96310
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Phone
DSN: 253-3261
From U.S.: 011-81-827-79-3261

E-mail:
VOTE.MCASIWAKUNI@usmc.mil

Physical Address:
Bldg 608

Hours of Operation:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m


Link To FVAP.GOV

 

Please click here to go to Pacific Area Counsel (PACO).

DISCLAIMER

The information on this site is for informational purposes only and does not represent legal advice from an attorney.