Serves as legal advisor to the CG, staff, and subordinate commanders. Supervises preparation of legal opinions and command guidance; promulgates command directives and implements guidance of higher authority; supervises and, as appropriate, provides training and instruction; and prepares and submits reports to HQDA and other agencies, as required.Serves as a command representative on the Joint Committee (JC), which is established under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Acts as the USARJ Representative on the subcommittee dealing with criminal and civil jurisdiction, MLC issues and contract disputes, and contract conciliation and acquisition of facilities. Represents and protects U.S. and command interests in all matters referred under the U.S.-Japan JC (USJJC) structure.

Provides legal support, as requested or required, to Army personnel in the Pacific (to include Thailand and Taiwan) not specifically assigned to another General Court-Martial (GCM) jurisdiction.

Ensures the continuing legal education and training of the SJA staff.

Serves on the USARJ Crisis Action Team (CAT).

Serves as the Ethics Counselor for the command.

Deputy SJA (DSJA): Advises the USAG-J Commander, principal staff, subordinate commanders, and other supported commanders on legal matters concerning the administration and operation of the USAG-J. Provides legal guidance relative to personal and civil matters, claims, U.S. military justice, administration, discipline, status, and activities of DA personnel within the command. Supervises the administration of U.S. military justice, legal assistance, claims, operational law, international law, and civil and administrative law. Performs administrative control of correspondence and provides guidance in the interpretation of administrative directives and procedures concerning U.S. military justice.

Criminal Law:

• Prosecute general and special courts-martial;
  
  
• Advise commanders on enlisted and officer administrative separation actions and represent the command at administrative separation board proceedings;
  
  
• Advise commanders in determining the disposition of pending disciplinary actions including nonjudicial punishment and other adverse administrative and military justice actions;
  
  
• Support CID, MPI, PMO investigators and other law enforcement officials with legal opinions and assistance; and
  
  
• Provide educational classes on military justice related topics, including but not limited to, training new commanders and providing unit briefings on military justice topics.
  
  

Client Services:

Legal Assistance Office Tax Assistance Center Claims Office

Operational Law:

• Serve as legal representative on USARJ Battle Staff, represents SJA in staff planning process for all contingency/operational planning and bilateral training exercises;
  
  
• Provide advice and legal expertise to commanders and staff regarding operational law issues such as Force Protection, Rules of Engagement (ROE)/ Rules for the Use of Force (RUF), Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and other legal matters related to military operations and training in a forward deployed operational command;
  
  
• Act as SJA Representative for coordination with AC/RC units and Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) units supporting USARJ bilateral and operational missions;
  
  
• SJA liaison with USFJ for operational law matters.

Administrative and International Law:

• Provides legal advice to the Senior Military Commander, the Garrison Commander and all subordinate commanders and principle staff members.



• Researches and prepares written legal opinions on the interpretation and application of the laws, statutes, and regulations to facilitate the operation of the installation.



• Provides legal advice concerning private organizations, nonappropriated fund instrumentalities, nonappropriated funds, gifts, donations, use of Government property, and military installations.



• Provides legal reviews for boards, investigations, reports of survey (FLIPL), and line of duty determinations.



• Represents the Staff Judge Advocate on the Family Advocacy Committee (FAC); Case Review Committee (CRC); Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP); Special Needs Access Program (SNAP); Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program (SAPR), and similar community programs.



• Provides Ethics training, guidance and reviews including review of Confidential and Public Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE 450 and SF 278).



• Provides training and guidance on International Law matters involving the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).



• Conducts SOFA briefings to personnel involved with host-nation law enforcement investigations.



• Provides trial observer and reporting services for SOFA personnel tried in host nation criminal courts and provides trial observer reports to higher headquarters.

Japanese Criminal Law and Liaison (JCL&L):

• To research Japanese law and legislation for current and pending legal issues that impact USFJ missions and personnel;
  
  
• To coordinate with Japanese Police, Prosecutor’s Offices and the Ministry of Justice on criminal cases involving SOFA members;
  
  
• To track foreign criminal jurisdiction cases to ensure US compliance with SOFA obligations;
  
  
• To ensure the availability of SOFA personnel for investigations, summary procedures, and trials, and if necessary, to report the disposition of cases IAW service directives and respond to inquiries from higher headquarters.