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From Enlisted to Officer, Criminal Law All The Way

Criminal Law Associate Professor MAJ Cathy Hartsfield is pictured at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School.

Tell me you are in the military, without telling me you are in the military. For Florida born, New Jersey raised MAJ Cathy Hartsfield, it might be telling that every one of her four children were born in different states on opposite ends of the nation and even overseas. The associate professor in the Criminal Law Department at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School is herself the daughter of a former ROK (Republic of Korea) Soldier, who immigrated to the U.S.

Published: 20 MAY 2024

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Small but Mighty

Photo By Billie Suttles | 223rd Officer Basic Course student 1st Lt. Seneca Tsang pictured on the regimental rock in front of The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School.

“The most rewarding part of the job is helping people as well as showing young women that they too can do … and succeed in traditionally masculine careers,” said 1st Lt. Seneca Tsang. The firefighter who stands at just 5’4” and weighs a buck fifteen returned to Charlottesville to attend the 223rd Officer Basic Course at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.

Published: 03 MAY 2024

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Everything is Possible

Photo By Billie Suttles | The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School Student Detachment Operations Noncommissioned Officer Staff Sgt. Monnea Slade pictured on left with Sgt. 1st Class Joshua McConnell during her promotion ceremony November 3, 2023. (U.S. Army photo courtesy Timothy Streaty)

“My ultimate goal is to set a standard of excellence and resilience for my daughter,” said Staff Sgt. Monnea Slade. “Showing her that no matter how challenging life becomes, fear should never hinder her aspirations.”

Published: 29 APR 2024

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Running Her Own Race

Photo By Billie Suttles | 223rd Officer Basic Course student 1st Lt. Kimberly Finnegan is pictured in front of The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School.

“I had only ever been in cross country, for one season, about 25 years prior,” said 1st Lt. Kimberly Finnegan. “I was the slowest kid. I’m not sure the race was still going on when I finished – unlikely. “

I have now finished close to a hundred races. But I’m still at the back of the pack, I own it.”

Published: 24 APR 2024

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Better Late Than Never

Photo By Billie Suttles | 223rd Officer Basic Course student 1st Lt. Darin Doak is pictured in the library of The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School.

What motivates a lawyer pushing 50 to join the military? It’s rather rare for a seasoned attorney who has built a thriving private practice over the years to voluntarily decide to start right back at the very beginning … placing themselves once again among the rank and file who are most likely in their twenties. “I am here, solely, to serve,” explained 1st Lt. Darin Doak. “Rank, pay, advancement is almost meaningless to me.”

Published: 17 APR 2024

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The One in the Know

Photo By Billie Suttles | Linda Cuffee, The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School's Continuing Legal Education Administrator, (right) and Barbara Wood, Tricare Specialist, (left) sample some entries during the annual TJAGLCS Pi Day Contest on March 14.

Do you know what the state of Rhode Island requires for attorneys to remain attorneys? What about California? How many of the mandatory 20 credit hours for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) can be self-study in the Golden State? Ha! Trick question, California requires 25 credit hours every three years. And in case you were wondering, half of the required hours can be earned through self-study.

Published: 27 MAR 2024

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Nation's first Muslim American Federal Judge on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Photo By Billie Suttles | United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey (and Army JAG Corps alum) the Honorable Zahid N. Quraishi shares his life and experiences with The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School faculty, staff and students for the third annual Gray & Propp-Fowle Lecture on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

A trailblazer returned to his regimental home to deliver the third annual Gray & Propp-Fowle Lecture on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Honorable Zahid N. Quraishi is a graduate of the 161st Officer Basic Course (OBC). In June 2021, the former judge advocate became the nation’s first Muslim American Article III Judge when he was confirmed as United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey. The son of Pakistani immigrants shared his life and experiences with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) faculty, staff and students on March 4.

Published: 4 MAR 2024

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Living the American Dream

Photo By Jane Lee | U.S. Army Reserve Officer 1st Lt. Charles Liu is attending The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School's 222nd Officer Basic Course. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of 1st Lt Charles Liu)

U.S. Army Reserve Officer 1st Lt. Charles Liu is attending The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School's 222nd Officer Basic Course. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of 1st Lt Charles Liu)

Published: 14 FEB 2024

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For this West Pointer, the Sky is the Limit

Photo By Billie Suttles | The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School 72nd Graduate Course student Maj. Pamela Gaulin is pictured in the Atrium.

“I decided to join the Army after my brother deployed with the Marine Corps,” said The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School 72nd Graduate Course student Maj. Pamela Gaulin. “I was in 6th grade English class when the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11. I knew there was a war going on, but until my brother joined the military it felt very distant.”

Published: 30 JAN 2024

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Leading From the Top

Photo By Billie Suttles | The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School Student Detachment Commander Capt. Keith Jaworski, Chief Warrant Officer Appolinaire Kombassere, 1st Sgt. Shamar Purdie and Staff Sgt. Monnea Slade stand at attention during the 221st Officer Basic Course graduation on December 14, 2023. (US Army photo courtesy Billie Suttles)

What does meal after meal after yet another meal of chicken, rice and broccoli plus countless hours grinding away at the gym equal? For The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School Student Detachment 1st Sgt. Shamar Purdie, that kind of dedication and discipline adds up to not only being a better leader but also, count them, three Virginia powerlifting records.

Published: 17 JAN 2024

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Globe Trotting Ivy League Graduate Serves Nation

Photo By Billie Suttles | 222nd Officer Basic Course student 1st Lt. Brett Diehl pictured at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School. (U.S. Army photo courtesy Billie Suttles)

“I have a duty to use my abilities in furtherance of something greater than myself,” said California Army National Guard 1st Lt. Brett Diehl. “I view the Army as a chance for me to accomplish that goal.”

Published: 05 JAN 2024

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