RADM

Rear admiral (United States)

Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...

 Nanette M. DeRenzi is the current Deputy Judge Advocate General

Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy

The Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy is the second highest ranking JAG officer and lawyer in the United States Navy. As part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the DJAG serves as Commander, Naval Legal Service Command , and as Deputy Department of Defense Representative for Ocean...

 (DJAG) of the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

. She was installed in her present position in August 2009.

Early life and education

DeRenzi was born in Philadelphia and raised in Pennsauken, New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Villanova University

Villanova University

Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...

 in 1983. She was commissioned through the JAG Corps Student Program and, in 1986, graduated from the Temple University School of Law. She later earned a Masters of Law degree (Environmental Law) from the George Washington University School of Law.

Naval career

DeRenzi began her career as a litigator, first as a defense counsel and later as a trial counsel (prosecution) in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...

, followed by assignments in appellate defense and civil litigation in Washington, DC. DeRenzi also served as the fleet judge advocate to commander, U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleets, as well as staff judge advocate to commander, Carrier Group 7. Before her appointment to flag rank, she served as the senior staff judge advocate for commander, U.S. Southern Command; special assistant for legal and legislative matters to the secretary of the Navy; legislative counsel for environmental programs in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs; and executive assistant to the JAG

JAG

JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...

. In command, she served as commanding officer, Naval Legal Service Office, North Central.

Awards

DeRenzi's personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal

The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...

, the Legion of Merit

Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...

 (four awards), the Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal (United States)

The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...

 (four awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).