Tag: military

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NAPABA Applauds the Nomination of Captain Lia Mitoko Reynolds, United States Navy, to Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy


For Immediate Release: 
Date: March 1, 2024 		Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy 

President Joe Biden nominated Captain Lia Mitoko Reynolds, United States Navy, to Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy (DJAG) with the rank of Rear Admiral (two stars). If confirmed, she would be the first AANHPI Flag Officer to serve in the United States Navy JAG Corps.

“NAPABA congratulates Captain Reynolds on her nomination. She is widely recognized as one of the top officers in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. In 2019, she was presented with the Burton Award for Public Service in the Military. NAPABA also awarded her the Military & Veteran Service Award in 2019,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “An active member of NAPABA, Captain Reynolds has served as a Navy JAG officer for 26 years. She is well qualified to serve as the Navy’s DJAG, and we urge the United States Senate to confirm her quickly.”

Captain Reynolds serves as the Assistant Judge Advocate General of the Navy (Operations & Management). Her past assignments include serving as Senior Military Assistant to the General Counsel of the Department of Defense; Senior Detailer, Judge Advocate General’s Corps in Tennessee; Commanding Officer, Region Legal Services Office Hawaii; Deputy Fleet/Force Judge Advocate in Bahrain; Special Assistant for Legal and Legislative Matters to the Secretary of the Navy in Washington, DC.; Commanding Officer of Naval Legal Service Office, Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia headquarters in Naples, Italy; Deputy Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy in Washington, DC; Assistant Officer in Charge of the Trial Service Office Pacific Detachment in Yokosuka, Japan; Staff Judge Advocate for the Joint Interagency Task Force West; and trial and command services attorney for the Trial Service Office West, Branch office Lemoore, California.

“Captain Reynolds serves as a role model and inspiration to AANHPI attorneys,” said Priya Purandare, Executive Director of NAPABA. “AANHPIs have been underrepresented in our military’s General and Flag Officers ranks. We are proud of Captain Reynolds’s service to our Nation, and we congratulate her on the nomination.”

Captain Reynolds is a Hawaiʻi native and received her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, JD from the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School, and LLM with distinction from Georgetown University Law Center. 

NAPABA thanks President Biden for nominating Captain Lia Mitoko Reynolds.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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AABANY Co-Sponsors KALAGNY’s Third Annual Veterans and Military Networking Event

On November 14th, 2019, AABANY co-sponsored KALAGNY’s Third Annual Veterans and Military Networking Event at Debevoise & Plimpton. Commander David Lee, Staff Judge Advocate for the Naval Special Warfare Command, presented Jasmine Ball, an AABANY board member and corporate partner at Debevoise Plimpton, with a Naval Special Warfare Group Ten challenge coin for her continued support of the US Navy JAG Corp. Commander Lee then gave a presentation titled, “Perspectives on Service,” which outlined the type of work that the Naval Special Warfare Command does and described how his identity as an Asian American impacted his eighteen year career in the military.

Great job by KALAGNY as well as our Military and Veteran Affairs Committee co-chairs, Jimmy Kang and Dong Lee, for putting together a great event. And thank you to Commander Lee, AABANY President Brian Song, and every other serviceman and woman who serve our country.

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Danny Chen Trial: Ryan J. Offutt pleads guilty

From OCA-NY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.       Contact: Elizabeth OuYang, (718) 650-1960

August 13, 2012

Facing charges of negligent homicide,  Specialist Ryan J. Offutt plead guilty to hazing and maltreatment at a court martial before the Trial Judge, Col. Michael Hargis at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.   Specialist Offut was also charged with calling Private Danny Chen racially derogatory names like “chink”, “gook”, “fortune cookie”, “slants”, “egg roll”, “Jackie Chen”, “dragon lady”, “squint eye”,  and “Jap”. He faced charges of maltreatment for kicking Danny in the chest, throwing rocks and water bottles at him, and grabbing by his vest and dragging him.

The Trial Judge sentenced him to six months confinement, discharge from the Army for bad misconduct, and reduction in rank to E1.

“Judge Hargis’ sentence sends a strong signal to superiors that they will be disciplined, including discharged from the Army if they engage in hazing and racial maltreatment.  The judge’s sentence recognized there is no place in the Army for a convicted soldier, especially a superior, who has been convicted of racial maltreatment and hazing. Hazing and racial maltreatment that drives a soldier to his death warrants this strong  sentence”, stated Elizabeth OuYang, president of OCA-NY, the lead advocacy organization advocating for justice for Private Danny Chen.

The contingency from New York attending the trial  includes Danny’s parents, aunt, uncle, and four cousins; Jing Mei Huang, danny’s middle-school classmate; Elizabeth OuYang, OCA-NY president and OCA-NY members Christina Lo- school teacher, Arvin Chin-doctor, Mackenzie Yang-voting rights intern, and Julia Chung-hate crimes prevention art project coordinator; Alan  Shing  Chan-electrician; Liang Guo-technology analyst; Xiao Min Zhao-policy associate and constituent service liaison for Councilwoman Margaret Chin; Taylor Clark-Starbucks barista; Crystal Chen-Wheaton College; and Hye Mee Na and Mansee Kong, independent film makers.  Members of the Fayetteville Chinese Association and Asian Americans for Progress-North Carolina chapter also attended the trial.

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I am Pvt. Danny Chen Rally to Demand Respect and Honor in the Army

On October 3, 2011, Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead with a bullet to his head after being hazed and being subjected to racial slurs by his superiors. Eight soldiers have been charged in connection with his death. The jury at the first military court martial, US v. Holcomb, only found the defendant guilty of maltreatment and assault and battery. He was sentenced to only 30 days confinement, one level reduction of rank, and a $1,181.55 fine. Is this justice?

Where: Columbus Park, Chinatown

(At the corner Bayard and Mulberry)

When: 2:00PM, August 11, 2012

OCA New York Chapter, with co-sponsors: Chinatown Partnership, Chinese Progressive Association, MinKwon Center for Community Action, Asian American Arts Centre, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Asian Americans for Equality, Councilmember Margaret Chin (list in formation)