FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Capt. John B. Chiara, a judge advocate in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps with 4th Legal Operations Detachment, Queens, N.Y., is currently serving with 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.
Chiara, a native of Garden City, N.Y., and a graduate of Columbia University and Hofstra University School of Law, arrived in Afghanistan in June 2013. This is his first combat deployment and has served in the Army for two years.
Chiara is the battalion command judge advocate. He advises the commander on legal questions dealing with the battalion.
Joining the military has always been one of his goals.
“I have been thinking about joining the military since I was in high school and many times along the way I almost did and didn’t. At one point one of my good friends, who is in the infantry, told me I should just apply to the JAG Corps and see what happens,” said Chiara.
“I decided it was something I wanted to do, and something I didn’t want to regret not doing it, so I went for it and I am pretty happy with that decision,” he said.
To Chiara, being a lawyer and being a soldier have more than a few similarities.
“Just as being a lawyer, there are a lot of grueling hours. I think the thing that is conducive for both the Army and being a lawyer, is the need to do a lot of exercise both mental and physical, because you need to stay sharp and free of stress,“ said Chiara.
One is the biggest benefits for Chiara is he can directly support the soldiers.
“I get to help soldiers, and that is why I joined the Army,” he said.
Chiara’s deployment will last from nine to 12 months. Once complete, he will return to his job as a Manhattan assistant district attorney.