COL Drew Kernan
COL Drew Kernan
Colonel (COL) Drew Kernan currently serves as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is the principal legal advisor to both the Deputy Director for Special Operations (DDSO) and the Deputy Director for Intelligence (J2).
COL Kernan’s previous leadership assignments include: Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 3rd Infantry Division & Fort Stewart, 2018-2020; Command Judge Advocate, 1st Capabilities Integration Group (Airborne), 2016-2018; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Special Operations Command, 2015-2016; Brigade Judge Advocate, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, 2009-2011; Senior Trial Counsel, XVIII Airborne Corps, 2008-2009; Chief, Current Operations, Office of The Staff Judge Advocate, XVIII Airborne Corps & Multi-National Corps-Iraq, 2007-2008; Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, 2002-2003; Fire Support Officer & Headquarters Platoon Leader, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, 2001-2002.
COL Kernan’s staff and special assignments include: Personnel Law Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Headquarters-Department of the Army, 2012-2014.
Born in Oklahoma City and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, COL Kernan was commissioned as an Artillery Officer following graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point—where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He holds a law (J.D.) degree from the University of Oklahoma School of Law (Order of the Coif, summa cum laude), a masters of law (LL.M) degree in National Security Law from Georgetown University Law School (cum laude), a Masters of National Security Studies at the National War College in Washington, D.C. COL Kernan has published multiple articles, addressing topics such as civil litigation, international law, and leadership.
Articles of War Posts
