Vaughn Ary

Vaughn A. Ary is an American Major General who is the current Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Director of the United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division.

Biography
Ary was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma. He received his BA from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1984 and his JD from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1987. After graduating from Officer Candidates School, The Basic School, and Naval Justice School, Ary reported to the 3rd Force Service Support Group in Okinawa, Japan. In 1990, he was transferred to the 1st Force Service Support Group for the Gulf War. In 1991, he became the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate of US Marine Forces, Atlantic. In 1993, he became Head of the Law of Armed Conflict Branch in the office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy following a one-year LLM program at George Washington University Law School. In 1998, Ary became Deputy Legal Counsel to then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili. In 1999, he returned to the 1st Force Service Support Group as the Officer in Charge of Legal Teams Delta and Echo following a one-year Masters of Military Studies program at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. From 2001 to 2004, Ary served as the Staff Judge Advocate of the 1st Force Service Support Group during Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2004 to 2006, he served as the commanding officer of the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion in San Diego. From 2006 to 2008, he served as the Staff Judge Advocate of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. From 2008 to 2009, he served as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.