The University of Oklahoma College of Law continues to strengthen its longstanding tradition of military service through student excellence and alumni leadership in the armed forces and public service.
A Banner Year for Military-Affiliated Students
This year has been especially noteworthy for OU Law’s military-connected students. Eight graduated students from the Class of 2025 are either veterans or preparing to enter military service. Among them, four have been selected to military JAG Corps: Andrew Ilemsky has accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy, Gunner Janes and Christina Kelly have accepted commissions in the U.S. Air Force, and Gabriel Ngo has accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps.
These placements reflect not only the strength of OU Law’s academic and professional preparation but also its growing national reputation among military branches. OU Law students selected for JAG appointments join a cohort with an average acceptance rate of just 4–6% across the services.
In addition to the impressive placements, OU Law produced one of the few law students selected for the Air Force ROTC Graduate Law Program (GLP). Third-year student Cheyenne Perez-Bailey was accepted into the selective program, which guarantees a position as an Air Force JAG upon successful completion of a two-year AFROTC program, law school, and legal licensing requirements.
“If you are interested in military law, OU Law is a great place to be a student,” third-year student Cheyenne Perez-Bailey said. “The supportive faculty, staff, and students, combined with the numerous opportunities to help further your career, make it an ideal environment for aspiring Judge Advocates.”
Beyond job placement, OU Law has also offered military-interested students profound and formative experiences during law school. Whether through externships, advocacy opportunities (such as hosting a panel from the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals last November), or classroom mentorship, the college's consistent support has prepared students to meet the unique demands of military legal service.
This work is supported by faculty and administrators who bring direct military experience into their leadership. Veterans and reservists on the OU Law faculty include Dean Andy Coats, Dean Phyllis Taite, Dean Jon Lee, Dean Stan Evans, and Professor Zachary Schmook.
A Legacy of Leadership in Uniform and on the Bench
OU Law’s track record of military engagement stretches far beyond the current student body. Alumni such as Judge Timothy DeGiusti (’88), Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and recent inductee into the Order of the Owl, exemplify the long-term impact of military service through law. Judge DeGiusti served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 1990 to 1993 and retired from the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 2003 after 22 years of combined active and reserve service. A former adjunct professor and current member of the OU Law Board of Visitors, Judge DeGiusti also serves on the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
“There wasn’t a time in my life when I didn’t think the military would be part of it,” Judge DeGiusti said. “And it was my experiences at OU Law that prepared me for what I faced when I showed up in Germany as a brand-new JAG prosecutor.”
Another notable alumnus is Judge Brent Dishman (’05), Oklahoma County District Judge and former Dean of Students at OU Law. Dishman’s career began at Dover Air Force Base, where leadership responsibilities introduced him to the legal side of military service. Through the Air Force’s Extended Leave Program, he attended OU Law, returned to active duty as a prosecutor and senior defense counsel, and handled high-stakes cases, including a 2009 acquittal involving a military nurse wrongfully accused of patient deaths.
“I attended OU because it felt like home, and I knew it would challenge me.” Judge Dishman said. “I was immediately drawn to OU by the warmth displayed by the admissions department and the overall culture and attitude of OU. It struck me that this was a place on the rise, where I could make something of myself, and where I would be pushed.”
Sustained Success in JAG Placement
OU Law’s connection to military legal careers is more than anecdotal, it’s statistical. Over the past decade, OU Law has placed more than 30 graduates into JAG employment, building a powerful network of alumni in service to their country and the rule of law.
Join the Tradition
Are you a veteran or active duty servicemember interested in the legal profession? Are you an alum with a story to share about your time in uniform and at OU Law? We want to hear from you. Consider also donating to OU Law’s Veterans and Public Service initiatives or, if you’re considering pursuing a military legal career, join the ranks of those who serve through the law by applying to OU Law today.