Lt. Col. Peter Tran took over as the new Staff Judge Advocate for WSMR. Tran is a University of Washington School of Law graduate and has 18 years of experience in law.
The WSMR Judge Advocate General’s Office recently welcomed Lt. Col. Peter Tran as the new Staff Judge Advocate last month.
“It’s great. It’s a beautiful place. I love the mountains,” Tran said.
Tran comes from north Virginia where he worked for two years for the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency. Tran, a University of Washington School of Law graduate, has been practicing law since 1996. Tran said he always knew he wanted to practice law and received an educational delay while in the Army to continue his studies. Though Tran has been practicing law for 18 years, he said he has never experienced an installation setting with such a diverse workforce.
“It’s more civilian top heavy than any other installation I’ve been at before. It’s an interesting mix. There’s a lot of thorough employee and labor law issues. I anticipate working with community and environmental issues and the test center to support testing,” Tran said.
Tran, who will be serving as the senior legal advisor to the Commanding General and subordinate commands, said he wants to get to know the installation and the processes and procedures before implementing any changes or new procedures. He said he is not opposed to implementing a change in procedures if it can help the greater good.
“I want to see what can help move us through and help any customers,” Tran said.
Tran said he joined the Army to fulfill two dreams. Tran joined the Army to continue in his father’s, an infantry Colonel, footsteps and to continue the military legacy. He said that practicing law within the Army creates unique challenges. The challenges Tran described are usually seen when the Army is engaged in a foreign country. Tran said there is no comparable practice for law in the Army within the civilian realm.
“I cannot think of a more exciting and interesting practice of law than what JAGs see on a regular basis,” Tran said.
Tran said his wife Elizabeth and 14-year-old son Evan have all embraced their new surroundings. WSMR marks the fourth state the family has been assigned to.
“The people are so friendly here. It’s a welcome change that everyone wants to help out and offer help. It’s a great experience,” Tran said.
“I’m excited to be here. Everyone has a civil service mentality and I certainly want to work in this installation and support that mindset,” Tran added.