TODAY: NIMJ Pop-up Discussion: TJAG Firing

3/7/2025

NIMJ Pop-up Discussion: TJAG Firing

Time: Mar 7, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern Time

https://villanova.zoom.us/j/94015995240

Meeting ID: 940 1599 5240

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Cloudesley Shovell

3/4/2025 09:28:52

I have a question that any number of people smarter and more in the know than I am can surely answer.

VADM French was the JAG from Sep 2024 until his abrupt retirement on or about 01 Jan 2025.

RADM Reynolds was named acting JAG. If indeed she was fired on or about 21 Feb 2025, who is today the acting JAG? Because as of about 2 minutes ago, RADM Reynolds is still listed at https://jag.navy.mil/about/leadership/ as the acting JAG.

Thanks much in advance, and kind regards,
CS

Butch Bracknell

3/7/2025 12:37:14

I am told she was not fired or included in the firing and is still at the desk. French apparently preempted the issue and SECDEF didn’t notice. Equally good question is why he didn’t fire the Marine. One answer is the current SJA to CMC has already had a replacement Board selected and nomination forwarded, so there was no point. Or, again, they just didn’t notice.

Anon

3/4/2025 11:02:34

Timothy Parlatore is now de facto TJAG of all services. Thanks for the question!

Nathan Freeburg

3/4/2025 13:20:55

I believe it was French who was "fired." In the Army, Berger had just become TJAG this past summer and the AF TJAG may have been the year before that.

My educated speculation is that SECDEF ordered the three TJAGs fired but not by name and thus an acting TJAG is still an acting TJAG.

Cloudesley Shovell

3/6/2025 10:08:25

Thanks for the response Mr. Freeburg. I tracked down the actual SecDef statement, and it said only that SecDef was soliciting nominations for the JAG positions. Of note, he used the same language for other positions, like Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Is "soliciting nominations" Pentagon talk for firing the incumbent? I don't know.

I am just a bit hung up on the word "fired." If you remain in your position until your relief is confirmed, are you being "fired" or just relieved early. I ask because I did a few "relief for cause" cases where skippers were fired for whatever reason, and there's an administrative process following such "for cause" actions that can result in a re-characterization as "early relief". "For cause" carries career-killing negative connotations, whereas the "early relief" characterization was, officially at least, neutral. At least that's the way it was 25+ years ago. I suppose when you're JAG with nowhere else to go but retirement it's a distinction without a difference.

RADM Reynolds' unique situation is a bit different. Since she's just "acting", I would assume once a new Navy JAG is nominated and confirmed, she would revert to her position as assistant JAG?

Thanks much and kind regards,
CS

Nathan Freeburg

3/6/2025 10:12:17

CS,

All three services now have acting TJAGs. The incumbents are no longer in their positions.

Cloudesley Shovell

3/6/2025 10:32:41

Thanks much for the prompt response.
CS

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TODAY: NIMJ Pop-up Discussion: TJAG Firing

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