I am pleased to officially announce, pursuant to his nomination by the President, that the United States Senate has confirmed Colonel Eric W. Widmar for promotion to Brigadier General and assignment as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Colonel Widmar’s confirmation follows a highly competitive selection process among a selective group of Judge Advocates from across the Department of Defense. His selection represents the best of our Regiment’s deliberate effort to train, mentor, and grow extraordinary Judge Advocates with the versatile experience, extensive legal expertise, and proven leadership to advise the Joint Force. Colonel Widmar’s strategic vision and moral courage will enable him to excel in this pivotal and prominent assignment.  
  
Colonel Widmar’s exemplary 26-year career demonstrates his sustained excellence as a Judge Advocate and Army officer. Eric has served as a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) two times, most recently as the SJA of U.S. Central Command. His previous military assignments include Principal Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chief of Strategic Plans, Office of The Judge Advocate General; SJA, Task Force Marne & Fort Stewart; Deputy SJA, 3d Infantry Division & Fort Stewart; Chief of National Security Law and Administrative & Civil Law, U.S. Army Pacific; Military Professor and Associate Director for the Law of Land Warfare at the Charles H. Stockton Center for International Law, U.S. Naval War College; Trial Counsel, 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division; and Operational Law and Administrative Law Attorney, XVIII Airborne Corps & Fort Liberty. He also served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as the senior legal advisor for the 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division, respectively.  

Colonel Widmar commissioned as an Infantry officer following graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Comparative Politics. Additionally, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, a Master’s degree of Military Law from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School, and a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.    

Please take the opportunity to congratulate Colonel Widmar and his family as they continue to selflessly and honorably serve the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the Joint Force, and the Nation.


//ORIGINAL SIGNED//

JOSEPH B. BERGER III
Lieutenant General, USA     
The Judge Advocate General