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On June 6, 2019, I sat in the back of an Army truck with 18 of my peers, heading to our final land navigation exercise of summer training at West Point.
It felt like one of those days when the excitement of being part of something bigger than yourself overshadows everything else. But that feeling was quickly replaced by chaos.
Our vehicle veered off the edge of a cliff, rolled twice before coming to a stop, and as I turned to my right, I realized that my friend had been killed.
That moment changed my life.
In the months that followed, I struggled to reconcile my grief with my duty to serve. I sought help through behavioral health counseling and through our unit chaplain. With their support, as well as my peers, I found strength in vulnerability.
The Army’s decision to hold the negligent driver accountable provided closure and showed me the power of the law to bring justice, healing and a renewed sense of purpose.
That experience became the foundation for my decision to pursue a legal career as an Army Judge Advocate.
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is built on seven core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
Living and leading by these values has shaped every decision I’ve made, both in uniform and in the classroom. They remind me that leadership is not just about authority, but also service.
Those values continue to guide me today as I study law at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where I strive to embody the same servant leadership that the Army instilled in me.
Through the Army’s Funded Legal Education Program, I now have the privilege of earning my law degree in my home state of Indiana while continuing to serve.
Upon graduation, I will join the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, where I will have the opportunity to practice a wide range of law, from advising commanders on operational matters to ensuring fairness under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
My motivation to become a JAG officer stems from that tragic day in 2019. Witnessing the justice system in action during the prosecution that followed reaffirmed my belief in the law’s ability to serve people and communities.
I want to dedicate my career to ensuring that others receive the same sense of accountability and closure that my friend’s family did.
As I reflect on this Veterans Day, I am reminded that service takes many forms. Whether on the battlefield or in the courtroom, the mission remains the same: to serve others with integrity, courage, and compassion.•
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Zachary Potter is a second-year student at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
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