John David Drake

Legal Assistance Officer, Command Judge Advocate, Trial Defense Counsel Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army

Year: 1987 - 1992

Description: I had a great experience in the U.S. Army JAGC. I was a legal assistance officer at Ft. Campbell, In the 101st Airborne Div (Air Assault) for 2 years where I helped soldiers, dependents and retirees with general legal issues. Then, I was a Special Forces Command Judge Advocate with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). I prosecuted green berets for the few but unique crimes they might commit under Military law. I advised the Commander for Law of War issues. I deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Sheild/Storm and experienced what the Army is like in a "combat zone", though admittedly, my job was not in harms' way. Upon return to the U.S. I completed a Court Martial for a soldier who accidently shot one of our troops in Saudi and then I was transfered to Ft. Leveanworth, Kansas, where I was the Trial Defense Counsel at the United States Military Disciplinary Barracks (yes, the prison). The job of defending prisoners in the Army's only maximum security prison was a real challenge, and very rewarding. However, I missed Tennnessee and in 1992 I decided to resign from the U.S. Army and enter private practice.

Tennessee State Bar # 012405 Member (Current)