A native of Saint Joseph, Michigan, Lieutenant Jacob Romelhardt attended Saint Joseph Public High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Political Science from Northwestern University in 2001. In the spring and summer of 1999, he studied political science in the south of France.

In 2005, Lieutenant Romelhardt earned his Juris Doctorate, summa cum laude, from the Boston University School of Law. While in law school, he served as the managing editor of the Boston University Law Review and held a summer associate position with the Chicago office of SIDLEY & AUSTIN, LLP.

Lieutenant Romelhardt completed Naval Justice School (NJS) in March 2006. At NJS, he earned: The American Bar Association Award for Professional Merit; The American Trial Lawyers Association Outstanding Trial Advocacy Award, and; The New York City Bar Association Trial Advocacy Award.

From March 2006 to July 2008, Lieutenant Romelhardt performed duties as a legal assistance and defense attorney at the Naval Legal Service Office Pacific – Detachment Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i. He served as the Pearl Harbor Detachment's Senior Defense Counsel from February to July 2008.

In July of 2006, Lieutenant Romelhardt augmented the Third Marine Regiment to serve as the legal advisor to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 3 (SPMAGTF3) for the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) aboard the USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6). He provided operational law and rules of engagement advice to commanders from eight different nations during this international exercise.

From June 2007 to February 2008, Lieutenant Romelhardt deployed to Iraq to augment the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) (II MEF (FWD)), in Al Anbar Province. He served as an attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Multi National Force – West.

In July 2008, Lieutenant Romelhardt reported to his current position as Assistant Professor of Law in the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Lieutenant Romelhardt is a Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer. His military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2x), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He may practice law before the State Courts of California, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.