STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Col. Douglas Simon, Dean of the College of Leadership and Military Studies and Commandant of Cadets at Tarleton State University, has been appointed Reserve Director for Strategic Initiatives and Education at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School located on the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.
In this role, Col. Simon will advise on training and legal education initiatives that support the Commanding General’s focus to develop and sustain the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps’ ability to provide world-class legal advice while advancing efforts to support the Total Army, he said.
Col. Simon previously served as deputy legal counsel for United States Strategic Command, Army Reserve Element, at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. In that role, he supervised and coordinated Army Reserve judge advocate legal support for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate while providing legal advice on matters associated with military law and the law of armed conflict at the strategic level.
His new assignment, in which he will serve concurrently with his position at Tarleton State, supports JAG legal education, training, and doctrine development efforts. Prior judge advocate assignments focused more on the practice of law, while his new position supports the center and school on strategic and educational efforts.
Col. Simon said this position has similarities with his role as Dean of the College of Leadership and Military Studies in that both aim to train and educate disciplined leaders that are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic world.
“With my position at Tarleton State, a primary line of effort is to commission officers to serve in the Armed Forces,” Col. Simon said. “At The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, a primary focus is to support the leadership and their efforts with existing lines of effort that train and educate world class judge advocates across the Regular Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.”
Col. Simon said he received this latest JAG appointment through a structured assignment process for officers that incorporates an application procedure for potential judge advocate assignments vetted by a selection committee. This committee then makes assignment recommendations to The Judge Advocate General of the Army, who makes appointments.
“TJAGLCS is a special place with so much rich history, and to have the opportunity to work alongside incredible officers, leaders and professionals is quite an honor,” Col. Simon said.
Dean and Commandant of Cadets at Tarleton State since 2022, he previously served eight years as staff judge advocate for the State of Minnesota. His higher education career spans 27 years. At Southwest Minnesota State University, he chaired the Department of Business and served on accreditation, strategic planning and institutional assessment committees. His broad academic background includes teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in public and private law, leadership and public policy.
A veteran of Operations Joint Forge and Iraqi Freedom, Col. Simon was awarded the Bronze Star for combat service.
To learn more about TJAGLCS, visit tjaglcs.army.mil/center.
Disclaimer: The mention of The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School does not constitute or imply endorsement of Tarleton State University and mention of Col. Simon is used to accurately describe his military service.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.