What It's Like To Be... A Marine Corps JAG
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Dec 30, 2025 Lieutenant Colonel Susan Upward is a Staff Judge Advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps, providing legal counsel on military justice and operational law. She shares insights on how military justice differs from civilian systems and the challenges of advising commanders during combat. Hear her bold story of calling a commander's plan 'colossally stupid' and her role as a crucial 'speed bump' to impulsive decisions in high-stakes situations. Susan also reflects on mentoring junior Marines and adapting her legal advice to meet diverse leadership styles.
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Military Justice Serves Unit Discipline
- Military justice prioritizes unit good order and discipline over purely civilian goals like punishment.
- Judge advocates provide options, but commanders hold the power to decide outcomes.
Offer Clear Courses Of Action
- Provide commanders clear courses of action (COA) with pros and cons so they can decide quickly.
- Package legal options as off-ramps to reach the commander's desired outcome faster.
Told A General A Plan Was "Colossally Stupid"
- Deployed in late 2023, Susan advised on self-defense and kinetic versus non-kinetic options amid regional tensions.
- She told a general his proposed strike was “a colossally stupid idea” despite confirming legal authority.
