On March 15, 1973 the largest legal organization in the Army, the United States Army Legal Services Agency (USALSA), was established as a field operating agency under the staff supervision and command of The Judge Advocate General. Several elements of USALSA were designated to be collectively known as the United States Army Judiciary: the United States Army Court of Military Review, the Office of the Chief Judge, Clerk of Court, Trial Judiciary and Examination and New Trials Division.
The mission of USALSA was to provide administrative support for the US Army Judiciary, the appellate counsel divisions and the Contract Appeals Division. The mission has since expanded to include: providing administrative, personnel, fiscal, and logistic support, including legal research services, to all elements of the Agency; promoting the effective use of lawyers and judicial personnel; guaranteeing the independence of Army judges and defense counsel; implementing the Army Courts-Martial Information System; and managing the training of assigned Individual Mobilization Augmentees.
Since 1973 the USALSA family has grown significantly.
In 1977, the Regulatory Law Office became a part of USALSA. In 1980, the Trial Defense Service was established to provide defense counsel services throughout the Army. In 1982, the Trial Counsel Assistance Program began operation with the mission of providing advice, and training for trial counsel. In 1983 the Information Management Office was established and in 1984 the first USALSA computer was installed. In August of 1986, USALSA instituted the Army Court Martial Information System which has served the organization well to the present date and is just now being upgraded. In October of 1987 the Litigation Division became a part of USALSA. In March of 1988 the Intellectual Property Division was assigned to USALSA. In the fall of 1988 both the Procurement Fraud Division and the Environmental Law Division joined the USALSA family. By August of 1990, USALSA had grown to the point of needing additional office space and the Litigation Center was opened at Arlington, Virginia. In September of 1990, the Standards of Conduct Office was created and joined USALSA. The latest addition to the USALSA family, the U.S. Army Claims Service, was added in 1997.
Today USALSA encompasses more than 20 different offices, divisions, and activities worldwide and close to 500 assigned personnel, including active duty, mobilized reserve component, and civilian personnel. Throughout the years, USALSA divisions made their homes in several Northern Virginia locations including the Pentagon, the Nassif Building in Falls Church, and the Ballston Metro Center in Arlington. Today, USALSA makes its home in its new world class facility on Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Description: A rectangular insignia arched at top and bottom, 2 inches (5.08cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62cm)in height, with a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border and divided quarterly dark blue and white. On the upper quarters a balance bar and scalepans counterchanged and on the lower quarters a rimmed and gridlined globe counterchanged, and centered vertically overall a Roman sword, point up, yellow.
Symbolism: The colors dark blue and white are the colors of The Judge Advocate General's Corps and gold is for excellence and achievement. The overall shape of the insignia is that of a Roman shield, and with the sword is symbolic of the Agency's military connection and also a reminder of the Romans as early lawmakers. The scale is an ancient symbol of justice and the globe is in reference to the worldwide legal activities of the Agency.
Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 8 May 1984.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a dark blue globe rimmed and gridlined gold; centered vertically on the globe a Roman sword, point up, between the pans of a scale all gold; draped from the balance bar and in front of the sword is a white blindfold; all within a circular gold scroll inscribed in dark blue letters, "LEGIBUS ARMIQUE" above and "DEVOTI" (Devoted To Law and Arms) below.
Symbolism: Dark blue and white are the colors of The Judge Advocate General's Corps and gold is for excellence and achievement. The globe denotes the Agency's worldwide legal activities and the Roman sword shows the unit's military connection and is also a reminder of the Romans as early lawmakers. The scale is an ancient symbol of justice and the blindfold entwined around the scale and sword unites the two into one unit of impartial military justice.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 8 May 1984.