By Contributing Editor Blair Drake

Military judge advocates can find career networking, educational, and advocacy opportunities through MOAA’s newest virtual chapter. The Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter was approved by MOAA’s board of directors at the association’s annual meeting in Kansas City last week.

Maj. Peter “Brooks” Rose, USAF, chapter president, said any judge advocate — active, Reserve, Guard, and retired — from all branches of service are able to join. The chapter already has about 50 members from across the U.S.

“Being a virtual chapter, folks can tune in from wherever they’re at,” Rose said. “We want to bring in the career-networking aspect during our meetings. We also want good educational content.”

[RELATED: Learn More About MOAA Virtual Chapters]

Being a part of the association’s advocacy efforts also is a key component of the virtual chapter’s mission, and something that Rose said is a natural fit for the group’s members.

“We are trained to be advocates,” he said. “I’ve participated through my geographic chapter in advocacy efforts, and I always thought it was a natural link that needed to be made. [Judge advocates are a] natural talent pool to bring into the organization. It’s a very beneficial relationship.”

The Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter as well as the MOAA Uniformed Services Nurse Advocates Virtual Chapter, the Surviving Spouse Virtual Chapter, the U.S. Public Health Service Virtual Chapter, and the Chaplains Virtual Chapter are all part of MOAA’s Council of Virtual Chapters.

“Our responsibility and our joy is to help with the establishment of virtual chapters,” said Col. Jeri Graham, USA (Ret), virtual council president. “The council has been working closely with the Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter, and we couldn’t be more proud to have this chapter on board. I think they will be a great chapter. They are well-organized, and the leadership team is excited and working hard already.”

[RELATED: Here's Why You Should Join, or Start, a Virtual Chapter]

Those eligible and interested in joining the Judge Advocate Virtual Chapter can email Moaajavc@gmail.com.

“We’ve already seen great growth and efforts,” said Rose. “We are very open to ideas in the direction we want to take the organization. If people are interested, this is truly an organization that is happy to listen to your ideas and to give you plenty of leadership opportunities.”

Blair Drake is a contributing editor for MOAA and lives in Souderton, Pa. She previously served on the editorial team of Military Officer magazine for nine years.