# Christopher French (admiral)

Christopher C. French is a former United States Navy vice admiral who last served as the 46th Judge Advocate General of the Navy from September 5, 2024 to January 1, 2025. He served as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 2021 to 2024. 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.

## 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.
In May 2024, French was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as Judge Advocate General of the Navy. He was promoted and assumed office in September 2024. In December 2024, French submitted for voluntary retirement in the rank of rear admiral, only three months after assuming office; his retirement took effect on January 1, 2025.

## Awards and decorations

| Defense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters | 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

| 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 |