After the JAG Corps: Navigating Your Career Progression

In today's podcast, we hear about Aaron Jackson's career progression from the Air Force to becoming a partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, a Washington, D.C. law firm. All without leaving Northwest Florida. His account is yet another testament to the power of an individual's network and the important role that they play in making the jump from the military.

In this episode, we hear the amazing account of Case Thomas's decision to retire and the deliberate decision to live in the present each step of the way: from devoting 100% of his energy and focus to his job before terminal leave, the decision to use that period to truly rest, and to start his job search after he was in a retired status. Case's networking and job search may resonate with a lot of us: a general idea of what he wanted and the struggle to parlay his military experience into breaking into a non-attorney role in industry. He also talks about the danger in listening to everyone about things like resumes and one's LinkedIn Profile. Case now serves as the Vice President, Global Learning, Development & Performance in Austin, TX. His LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-z-thomas.

Rodrigo Caruco is not your typical veteran. From his birthplace to his 11 years on active duty to establishing his own firm, he is not a man who takes the conventional or easy approach, but does what he believes is the right thing to do. In this episode, Rodrigo and I talk about his time in the Air Force JAG Corps, including his stint as a Military Commissions defense attorney, to establishing his own worldwide practice in central Florida. Rodrigo is on LinkedIn.

Dean Korsak officially retired from the United States Air Force on August 1, 2024. Like many veterans, he started working on terminal leave as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Griffiss Institute, but is also an entrepreneur. For several years, Dean has been working to launch his own business, CAPY News, which will use AI trained on the Federal Rules of Evidence and intelligence analytics standards to authenticate "news" in an attempt to combat misinformation and disinformation. Dean can be found on LinkedIn.

I had the great privilege of serving with Tim at GTMO. As my deputy, Tim ran the office, putting out fires, taking care and holding people accountable, and doing the other thankless tasks. But he was much more than that. He was a sounding board, an advisor, a fellow street hockey player, and a friend, not only to me, but my entire family. Tim has spent his legal career helping people, both in and out of the military. He continues that work as Director and Clinical Assistant Professor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) at George Mason University School of Law. Tim's LinkedIn profile can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-macarthur-9b353282/.

On July 2nd, I had the opportunity to reconnect with retired Commander Meredith Werner, who I had the privilege of meeting over 10 years ago. As you will hear, Meredith loves a good challenge, including retiring from the service while stationed overseas with NATO. Meredith takes us through the peaks and valleys of her career progression from military service to her current job as a professional staffer supporting the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. Meredith's LinkedIn Profile can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-werner/.

This week, Pat McGrath reminds us of the important role our significant others play in our transition to a post-military career. In his case, it came from his wife who would spend time looking at jobs on USAJOBS. We also talk about the things that he found helpful during his journey and life working at the Federal Communications Commission. Pat’s LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-m-mcgrath

Most judge advocates begin their military legal careers immediately after law school or they transition to the JAG Corps via their respective service's funded legal education program. Today, however, we hear from an attorney who was earning his stripes at a big law firm in Pittsburgh, but, having grown up the son of an Army colonel, felt an obligation to serve. Brian spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to private practice. From this vantage point, he shares his journey and offers insights to transitioning judge advocates. Brian's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kluckman-012777107/.

Mark Overberg spent 22 years in the Army and after a brief tenure with the Small Business Administration, returned as a civilian working with U.S. Army Retirement Services, the last 8+ years as its director. In today's episode, we talk about getting ready to leave the service, the things about which one should be thinking, and the resources available, including those at www.soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement. Mark's LinkedIn profile is available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-overberg/

Catharine Parnell embodies all the attributes that makes a good JAG: a willingness to learn new areas of the law and then master them. The irony is that serving in the Army was not in her plans, but driven by other factors. She has continued this carpe diem attitude after leaving the military, which has led to her current position as a general counsel of a satellite technology company. Catharine is also a prolific writer about career progression issues on LinkedIn. You can find her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/catharine-m-parnell/