The increasing complexity and volume of legal issues confronting commanders in the area of installation law--defined as land use, environmental, labor, procurement and business and commercial law--the anticipated lack of growth in legal support manpower and funding, and the regional nature of many of the issues involved compels consolidating installation law support in single, integrated regional offices in order to provide efficient, responsive support to all commands in the specified region.

Accordingly, a Western Area Counsel Office Test Program was authorized on 29 January 1988. Following its successful completion the Western Area Counsel Office (WACO) was permanently established on 15 July 1988, and on 15 July 1989, the Eastern Area Counsel Office (EACO) was also established.

Policy. Installation law resources will be organized and employed on a regional basis, centrally controlled, and utilizing an integrated team of Marine Corps judge advocates and civilian attorneys as the most efficient and effective method of providing such law support to the commands served.