I enlisted in the Platoon Leaders Course (Law) in December 1978 and graduated from Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia in 1979 as a 2nd Lieutenant. Upon admission to the Massachusetts Bar, I reported to The Basic School in February 1981, to Naval Justice School in August 1981, and to the Legal Services Support Branch, Camp Hansen, Okinawa in November 1981. My duties in Okinawa included defense, trial (prosecution), and legal assistance. I also served as a reaction platoon leader, camp commandant, and embarkation officer during three deployments to Korea. Upon my rotation Stateside, I served as a civil lawyer, defense counsel, and chief defense counsel for the Staff Judge Advocate, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.
When I left active duty in September 1984, I transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve. The marority of my billets have been in infantry or operations. However, I have remained current as a judge advocate, frequently conducting investigations or advising commanders on legal matters.