After the JAG Corps: Navigating Your Career Progression artwork

After the JAG Corps: Navigating Your Career Progression

by Tom Welsh

A podcast to assist judge advocates separating or retiring from the military by providing information on post-service opportunities, job search strategies, and other resources as they navigate the transition to civilian employment.

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Latest Episodes

Jul 18, 2026 · 48 min
In this episode, retired Navy Commander Jonathan Odom or "Odom" shares how a pivotal event in his life has shaped his entire outlook on life and why he did not worry about successfully finding an opportunity to continue his love of teaching and writing.
Jul 4, 2026 · 45 min
In this episode, Cory Chipman takes us through his journey to the U.S. Army JAG Corps, talks about his stint in the Army, and then about his journey to civil practice, which started in all places, church.
Jun 20, 2026 · 52 min
Greg Saybolt had no previous connection with Omaha, Nebraska, before accepting a position with Fiserv. In this episode, Greg takes us through his approach to his career progression and explains how he ended up as a Cornhusker.
Jun 6, 2026 · 42 min
In this episode, Allen Linken shares his transition from active duty to becoming a professor at the University of Alabama.
May 23, 2026 · 48 min
In this episode, I talk to Jennifer Johnson who joined the Navy JAG Corps after graduating law school, passing the bar, and working in the civilian sector. Jennifer then went onto to serve almost 12 years in a variety of billets in the United States and overseas before deciding to resign her active …
May 9, 2026 · 48 min
A motivational episode for all judge advocates leaving military service. John Kiel's career progression is a culmination of a military career: from facing unplanned contingencies and learning and mastering new areas of the law, John's post military journey has been unusual but very rewarding.
Apr 25, 2026 · 57 min
As a U.S. Army Soldier, Selfless Service was one of the core values instilled into Glenn Hardwood. His decision to run for the District Attorney for Midland County, Texas, demonstrates that while an individual can easily leave military service, foregoing these core values is not. In this episode, Gl…
Apr 11, 2026 · 48 min
As we leave the service, we tend to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what we want to do and what road we want to travel. Jake Pugh shows us that sometimes choosing the best can be found in the road that one has already traversed. He has successfully done that, This is his story.
Mar 28, 2026 · 1h 19m
By any account, Frank "Max" Wood has had a successful and varied legal career. From judicial clerk to active duty Air Force JAG serving in Wyoming, the Philippines, and Texas, to then serving as a prosecutor, U.S. Attorney, Georgia's Chief Administrative Law Judge, and Director of the Office of Hear…
Mar 14, 2026 · 57 min
In this episode, we hear from Adam Torem, a retired U.S. Air Force judge advocate whose intention was to leverage his environmental law experience in the civilian sector, but ended up relying on his other skills and experiences to eventually become a career administrative law judge for the State of …
Feb 28, 2026 · 49 min
This week, I talk with Bill Rogers, who has a very diverse legal career: civilian practice, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, government servant, general counsel, advisor, BnB owner/operator, back to private practice, and farmer. In light of that, the title of this podcast is a hat tip to the Grateful D…
Feb 14, 2026 · 1h 1m
This week, I catch up with Denise Krepp, who has made a career of filling a niche since she left the Coast Guard in 2002, and a person always willing to take on the fights that need to be fought.
Jan 31, 2026 · 57 min
This week, a conversation with former Navy judge advocate Rachel Reddick whose post military career has included a brush with political office, service with Military Commissions Defense Office, a move across country, the California bar exam, a stint as an employment lawyer, and now as an attorney wi…
Jan 17, 2026 · 53 min
As a young officer, Jennifer was told that that her job with the Naval Support Group Activity at Fort Meade was not conducive to long-term success for a career in the Navy JAG Corps. Taking the hint, Jennifer started applying for jobs, but having made a good impression on a civilian attorney with wh…
Jan 3, 2026 · 1h 11m
In this episode, Rachel Flannery, U.S. Army Reserve, takes us through her career progression from the Active Component to a career as a National Security Attorney at the Department of Homeland Security, via Georgetown and an LLM, in pursuit of her goal to "Pivot With Intention."
Dec 20, 2025 · 51 min
This week, we hear from former Marine, steelworker, FBI agent, Navy JAG, NCIS special agent, counter-intelligence officer, volunteer, and fisherman, John Smallman. From investigating crimes to prosecuting them, John has had a dynamic and interesting career. Full of great sea stories and laughs, ther…
Dec 6, 2025 · 45 min
In this episode, we hear from Shelby Hladon whose desire to spend more time with her sons has led to a post-military career as a volunteer, especially when it comes to youth and veterans.
Nov 22, 2025 · 48 min
In this episode, Patrick Corteau shares his journey from serving as a judge advocate in the Air Force to securing a position with Greenberg Traurig, in its Minneapolis, MN, office.
Nov 8, 2025 · 55 min
In this episode, I talk to Matthew Dursa, former Navy JAG, about his journey in overcoming a tendency to overthink things, which he shares in his new book, “Reading This Book Won’t Help You: Doing the Work Will.” A copy can be purchased on Amazon at https://a.co/d/a8AQUDN.
Oct 25, 2025 · 50 min
In this episode, Michael shares how he leveraged his active duty experience as an Air Force judge advocate to teaching in the classroom, both while still serving and after retirement.