MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. Col. Kathleen O'Hara, a native of Lake Forest, California, recently participated in Yankee Operational Law Training (YOLT) while serving with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.
YOLT is the Navy JAG Corps Reserve Component’s premier operational and international law training focused on relevant operational law and strategic warfighting issues facing the United States and its allies. Participants will directly enhance the warfighting readiness of the legal community, build interoperability and increase the lethality of the Joint Force.
"The Yankee Operational Law Training was a fantastic opportunity to stay current on emerging legal issues that face the military's varying battlespaces," O'Hara said. "More importantly, it provided the ability to collaborate with other Judge Advocates and subject matter experts with vastly diverse legal backgrounds and areas of expertise."
O'Hara graduated from El Toro High School in 1999. Additionally, O'Hara earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Colorado State University in 2003, a Juris Doctorate from Western State University in 2008 and a master’s of law from the JAG’s Legal Center and School in 2018.
O'Hara joined the Marine Corps 15 years ago. Today, O’Hara serves as a reserve defense counsel providing defense services to Marines and sailors facing court-martials and administrative separation boards.
“I grew up in Southern California, which is a military community, and my dad was a United States Marine Corps reservist,” O'Hara said. “After 9/11, I wanted to join the Marines, but my dad encouraged me to go to law school first. I was a direct commission after completing law school.”
O’Hara served on active duty from 2010-2021. O’Hara previously served under the Counsel for the Commandant, where they provided advice to 14 general officers throughout Europe, Africa, and along the East Coast on local and expeditionary contract matters. Additionally, O’Hara worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego, prosecuting civilians for felony offenses committed on military installations. Eventually, O’Hara was transferred to the Complex Trial Team at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to prosecute complex military cases on the West Coast. Lastly, O’Hara served as a family law attorney and trial defense counsel in Twentynine Palms before deploying with United States Central Command to conduct force protection, anti-terrorism planning, and assessments at ports and forward operating bases throughout the Middle East.
The Navy JAG Corps provides full-spectrum legal services to enable naval and joint operations in support of U.S. national security.
The Marine Corps does not have a JAG Corps. Marine Judge Advocates are unrestricted officers, meaning they can serve in various positions open to Marine officers in other occupational fields. They are Marine officers first and attorneys second
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
O’Hara has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Marines was raising my children as a single mother,” O’Hara said. “Fortunately, I had help from family, particularly during a combat deployment. But, being a strong and supportive mom to my kids while on active duty was always my top priority.”
O’Hara is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill their goals through military service.
“Serving in the Marine Corps means putting my country and those in need above myself,” O’Hara added. “I became a lawyer because I wanted to help people, and joining the Marine Corps was a great opportunity to put that desire into practice.”
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
O’Hara has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Marines was raising my children as a single mother,” O’Hara said. “Fortunately, I had help from family, particularly during a combat deployment. But, being a strong and supportive mom to my kids while on active duty was always my top priority.”
O’Hara is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill their goals through military service.
“Serving in the Marine Corps means putting my country and those in need above myself,” O’Hara added. “I became a lawyer because I wanted to help people, and joining the Marine Corps was a great opportunity to put that desire into practice.”