After the JAG Corps: Navigating Your Career Progression

This morning, we hear from Scott Johnson, who retired from the Navy in 2017, and is now on his third job with his current role working for a private equity firm, which is also his longest stint. Scott is someone with whom I had many conversations about career progression long before the concept of a podcast came to mind and he has some well-developed thoughts on the chasm between an individual's military service and trying to break into the civilian workspace. Scott's LI profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgjohnsonattorney/

Although they will not admit it, every grown man who has seen Dennis Quaid in "The Rookie" got a tear in his eye when pitcher Jim Morris gets called up to the big leagues as a 35 year-old rookie. In this episode, we get to hear the JAG Corps version of this true story in which a washed-up 50+ year-old former college baseball player and career JAG, Captain Johnny Nilsen, gets the call from his favorite team, the San Diego Padres to apply for their Military Affairs advisor position that was opening up. Unlike the protagonist in the movie, however, Johnny Baseball had a big problem: he needed to be available to take the job in weeks and he had yet to even submit a retirement request. This episode has it all: West Virginia, Skillbridge, and America's pastime. Johnny Baseball's LinkedIn profile can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-nilsen-b90962107/ Check it out!

This week, Dave Coogan takes us through his journey from serving as a judge advocate to private practice in the City of Champions, Pittsburgh, PA. HE talks about the importance of having a five-year plan, of being deliberate in the job search, the importance of gathering intel about a firm's culture, and the value of the JAG Corps network. Dave's LI profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecoogan/.

This week, I change course and talk to Lisa Lang, who enlisted in the Army after college, spent about 8 years on active duty, and then went to law school. Although not a former JAG, her experiences as an enlisted soldier and as a lawyer in private practice, government, and now education, may be beneficial to transitioning judge advocates. Lisa's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/

Will Fischbach and I spent nearly 80 minutes talking about his life, schooling, his time as an Army JAG, private practice, and public service. While editing of our conversation I came to realize the relevance of everything we discussed: Will’s willingness to do anything that he was asked to do in the Army has shaped his approach to private practice in Phoenix, AZ; he is an attorney who is not afraid to take on various types of cases.

As Ben Grimes will tell you, he never set out to be an attorney, but as a Blackhawk pilot who realized that continued service in the Army meant transitioning out of the cockpit to staff duty, decided to become the "staffiest"of all staff officers by becoming a JAG. A self-described "legal ethics geek," Ben then jumped at the opportunity to provide professional ethics advice to attorneys at the Department of Justice, a job which he held for almost seven years. However, realizing that he missed leading, Ben has now become a leadership coach with a focus on helping lawyers and firms break through dysfunction.

Joe Schrantz, VP of Business Development at Dauntless Discovery, discusses his career in the Marine Corps, transitioning into retirement, remote work challenges, and the role of contract attorneys at Dauntless Discovery.

Today, we hear from LCDR Jordan Foley, an active-duty judge advocate and founder and CEO of Let's Chow, a 501(c)(3) that gives veterans thinking about going into the food truck or brick-and-mortar restaurant business the resources and space to discern whether the food service industry is for them and if so, gives them the funding to launch their business. This podcast is geared toward anyone thinking about starting or entering the non-profit world. Jordan's LinkedIn profile is located at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-j-foley-6b980818b/. To learn about Let's Chow, visit https://www.letschow.org/.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2022. #1 played episode. For many, retiring from the military and leaving the only career one has had since graduating from college or law school is tough, but even tougher for those whose career comes to an abrupt end due to adversity.  In this episode, I talk to Jay Morse whose career came to such an end.  Accused of misconduct Jay's fall from grace was humiliating as it was frustrating given the nature of the allegations, the publicity surrounding them, and the lack of any viable way to clear his name, restore his reputation or continue his military career given that he has consistently maintained his innocence.  After a year or so of being subject to the military investigatory and administrative processes with which we are all familiar, he quietly left the Army in 2015.  In the intervening seven years, Jay shares how he has dealt with this adversity.  His LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymorse1/.

Ritesh Srivastava, former Navy JAG Corps officer and now corporate attorney, discusses his diverse career, investigating healthcare fraud, transitioning to compliance at Avoneer Pharmaceuticals, and the importance of continuous growth and adaptability in one's career.