Distinguished Military Professor for Leadership and Law

LOCATION:

Leadership, Ethics, and Law Department, United States Naval Academy

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on March 2, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland. As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional  leaders in our naval service. 

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know, which is that the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Leadership, Ethics and Law Department at the United States Naval Academy invites applications for the Class of 1971 Distinguished Military Professor of Leadership and Law to begin as early as July 2026.  

The Class of 1971 Distinguished Military Professor of Leadership and Law (DMP-L&L) will take a leading role in expanding law education programs, mentoring junior faculty, advising and assisting the Chair of the Leadership, Ethics and Law (LEL) Department on law curriculum matters, teaching undergraduate core and elective courses, and conducting research and scholarship in military leadership and law.  The successful candidate must have a professional and academic background consistent with the demands of a prominent leadership role at an academically elite service academy.

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Teaching, Scholarship, and Research. The DMP-L&L teaches three core law course sections or two core law course sections and one elective course section each semester.  The DMP-L&L also serves as a representative of the LEL Department at internal and external legal conferences, presentations, meetings, lectures and colloquia.  The DMP-L&L engages in productive research and scholarship on military law and leadership and produces at least one scholarly paper, report or professional publication each academic year.
• Faculty Liaison. The DMP-L&L advises and assists the LEAD Division Director and LEL Department Chair in external relations with the Faculty Senate Committees, Commandant of Midshipmen, Academic Dean, and The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership on matters pertaining to law education curricula. 
• Mentorship and Professional Faculty Development. The DMP-L&L mentors and advises junior military instructors on teaching pedagogy and skills development and serves as colleague and advisor to mid-grade and senior civilians and Permanent Military Professors in the LEL Department.  The DMP-L&L assists with planning and execution of the new and returning law instructor training/development programs.
• Curriculum Development. The DMP-L&L advises and assists the LEL Department Chair in the development and integration of new and existing core and elective courses and programs within the department and, as required, across USNA.   The DMP-L&L reviews and assesses course offerings and collaborates in improving existing courses, developing new courses, and working with colleagues in other departments to expand and de-conflict law course offerings.  The DMP-L&L assists in LEAD Division’s integration of the honor program, character development, and leadership and law education.  The DMP-L&L coordinates with other federal service academies to determine best practices and with the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy and the Marine Corps’ Judge Advocate Division to ensure curriculum currency is maintained as the law changes.

This is an onsite, gift-funded, 10-month compensation model excepted service federal position.  The initial appointment is approximately three years, with the possibility of renewal and eligibility for full federal benefits.  

Summer intersessional work assignments may be available based on recommendation from the LEAD Division Director/LEL Chair and based on the availability of funding.  If summer assignments are not approved or not available, the employee will be placed in a leave without pay (LWOP) status from mid-June to mid-August during annual summer intersessional periods.

Salary Details:  

• • Pay Band: AD-09 - Classification 13

• • Approximate Starting Salary Range: $95,000-120,000
    
    • Based on 10-month compensation model

• • Final Salary Will be determined based on:
    • Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
    • Availability of funds from a gift fund (i.e., the position is supported by a designated or restricted funding source)

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited program
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in one of the following areas: teaching, student advising, or faculty mentoring
• Minimum of 5 years military experience
•  

Preferred Qualifications (We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience or demonstrated interest in some or all of the following areas):

• Master of Laws or Master of Arts in related fields, such as National Security Studies or International Relations
• Record of research and stream of publications relevant to the fields of military law, national security law, leadership, or related field
• History of success in previous leadership roles
• Experience with maintaining donor relationships
• A thorough understanding of military culture

FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS: 

• Teaching Demonstration 
• Presentation of the candidate’s research and scholarship program  
• On-campus interviews
• Executive level interview

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Interested candidates should send an application package to the hiring manager and LEL DMP Search Committee, at LEL_DMP_Search2026-group@usna.edu. 

• Application Packages need to contain:
  • Cover Letter
    • Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position.
  • 2 - page resume (we can only accept resumes up to two pages in length)
    • This document must be sufficient on its own to assess whether the applicant meets all “Required Minimum Qualifications.”
  • Supplemental materials 
    • Full Curriculum Vitae (no page limit)
    • Teaching statement 
    • Any additional information candidate would like to submit 
  • Contact information for three professional references

Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here. Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Please note: This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on March 2, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Additionally, the ability to fill this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Two-year trial period will typically be required.
• All civilian positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation  process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website, https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer