Christopher French (admiral)

For persons of a similar name, see Christopher French (disambiguation).

Christopher C. French is a United States Navy vice admiral who has served as the 46th Judge Advocate General of the Navy since September 5, 2024.^[1] He served as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 2021 to 2024.^[2][3][4] A career judge advocate, French was commissioned into the Navy via the JAG Corps Student Program in 1992, graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1990, the Villanova University School of Law in 1993 and from the Georgetown University Law Center with an L.L.M. degree in 2004.^[2]

Christopher C. French
Official portrait, 2024
Born	Albany, New York, U.S.
Branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1992–present
Rank	Vice Admiral
Unit	Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
Commands	Judge Advocate General of the Navy Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Region Legal Service Office, Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal
Alma mater	University of New Hampshire Villanova University School of Law Georgetown University Law Center (LLM)

Early life and education

French was born in Albany, New York. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1990. French was commissioned through the Judge Advocate General's Corps Student Program in 1992, graduating in 1993 from the Villanova University School of Law. He later earned a Master of Laws from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004.

Naval and JAG Career

At sea, French served as the fleet judge advocate to Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet; staff judge advocate to Commander, Carrier Strike Group FIVE; and legal officer, aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

His other assignments include legal counsel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; staff judge advocate, U.S. European Command; deputy legal advisor to the U.S. National Security Council; special counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations; commanding officer, U.S. Region Legal Service Office, Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia; chief of Operational Law, Multi-National Forces, Iraq; deputy legal counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; assistant force judge advocate, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; staff judge advocate, Naval Special Warfare Development Group. French began his legal career first as a trial counsel and later as the senior defense counsel at Naval Legal Service Office, Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

He was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on 31 July 2018, and rear admiral on 1 August 2021.^[5][6][7][8]

In May 2024, French was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as Judge Advocate General of the Navy.^[9] He was promoted and assumed office in September 2024.^[10] In December 2024, French submitted for voluntary retirement in the rank of rear admiral, only three months after assuming office.^[10]

Awards and decorations

Defense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters		Legion of Merit with two gold award stars
Bronze Star	Defense Meritorious Service Medal	Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star
Joint Service Commendation Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold award star	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with bronze oak leaf cluster
Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service star	National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze service star
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with three bronze service stars	Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon	Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Command Ashore insignia
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Presidential Service Badge

Effective dates of promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Ensign	N/A
	Lieutenant (junior grade)	N/A
	Lieutenant	N/A
	Lieutenant commander	N/A
	Commander	N/A
	Captain	N/A
	Rear admiral (lower half)	31 July 2018
	Rear Admiral	1 August 2021
	Vice Admiral	5 September 2024

References

1. Morehouse, Natalie (5 September 2024). "Navy JAG Corps Hosts Change of Office". DVIDS. Washington Navy Yard: U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
2. "Rear Admiral Christopher C. French". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
3. Hannink, John (25 February 2021). "Deputy Judge Advocate General Nomination". Navy JAG Corps, DODLive. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
4. Arlon, Roland (producer) (18 August 2021). Navy JAG Corps Change of Office (Video). Annapolis, Maryland: Navy Production Division - Defense Media Activity. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
5. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), May 2021" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
6. "PN1996 — Capt. Christopher C. French — Navy, 115th Congress (2017-2018)". U.S. Congress. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
7. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), May 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. 30 April 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2022.
8. "PN228 — Rear Adm. (lh) Christopher C. French — Navy, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
9. "PN1759 — Rear Adm. Christopher C. French — Navy". U.S. Congress. 14 May 2024.
10. Mongilio, Heather (9 December 2024). "Head of Navy JAG Corps Requests Retirement after 3 Months in Role". USNI News. Retrieved 21 January 2025.

Military offices
Preceded by ???	Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 2018–2021	Succeeded by Robert A. Borcherding
Preceded by Darse E. Crandall Jr.	Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy 2021–2024	Succeeded by Lia M. Reynolds
	Judge Advocate General of the Navy 2024–present	Incumbent