Captain Abraham Carpio may be new to this country, but his dedication to it has never wavered. Immigrating here from Peru several years ago, Captain Carpio felt the need to serve his country in some way, so he chose the Army JAG Corps, "I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity that I received when I got here from Peru. I wanted to embrace my new home, my new land."
Like any new JAG Officer, Captain Carpio attended the Officer's Basic Course and the JAG School. He remembers his training in Charlottesville fondly, "The JAG School is located right next to the University of Virginia law school, which affords both the student environment and the collegial nature of working in a fabulous campus, with all the students around you and great weather." His JAG School instructors, he recalls, "are fabulous, they are top notch. We were taught by the best of the best in criminal law, contract law, fiscal law, you name it."
Captain Carpio chose the JAG Corps over civilian practice because of the immediate experience in a wide range of law. He says, "The type of practice is unparalleled compared to the civilian sector. For instance, one day you could be advising a commander in the field as to how to handle POWs, and the next you could be prosecuting or defending a Soldier accused of an offense." What he wanted most was immediate trial experience, and the JAG Corps provided. "Had I gone to work for a law firm, I would have worked for a partner or supervisor—I would not have had the chance to do trial work, which I did right away when I joined the Army JAG Corps."
Now serving in the Government Appellate Division, Captain Carpio enjoys the challenge of preparing for argument and writing appellate briefs, saying, "When you do the research, draft an argument and actually articulate a point of law in the courtroom, those things bring me excitement and the most satisfaction."
He also enjoys the supportive JAG Corps work environment. He explains, "I have had great bosses ever since I joined the Army and have received nothing but the best instruction in the law and leadership." Captain Carpio sees a long career ahead of him in the JAG Corps because of the people he serves with, saying, "There is a feeling when you see your family and sit down at the dinner table—you have that sense of warmth. I feel the same way in the Army. Everybody wants to help you and be there for you and support you."
Enlisted
Officer
