The GW Law National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relations Law Program, together with the National Security Law Association, hosted the Dept. of the Army General Counsel, the Honorable (Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.)) Carrie F. Ricci for a fireside chat with Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew. The discussion, part of both organizations’ efforts to highlight and celebrate diversity in the field of national security, centered on Ms. Ricci’s illustrious career as a public servant as well as the importance of differing viewpoints in national security and the military.
Ms. Ricci, LLM ’05, who was sworn in as the 23rd General Counsel of the United States Army on January 3, 2022, is the first Black and Latina woman to serve in this role. She described some of the challenges she faced in her career leading up to this role. She explained, however, that seeing a woman in the role of military judge advocate set her on this path. “It was incredibly important that the judge advocate was a woman,” said Ms. Ricci. “I saw this person who reminded me of myself, doing the job, and I wanted to do that, too.”
Since setting on this path, Ms. Ricci has enjoyed a successful career leading up to her current role. Prior to her appointment to the General Counsel role by President Joe Biden, she served as a Senior Executive with the United States Department of Agriculture, first as an Assistant General Counsel, then as the Associate General Counsel of Marketing, Regulatory, and Food Safety Programs, where she led a team that provided legal services to two Under Secretaries and three agencies. Her preceding assignment was as Assistant General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, Department of Defense Education Activity.
Prior to her civilian career, Ms. Ricci served for over 20 years in active military service with the U.S. Army, during which time she served as Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Army, where she advised the Secretary of the Army and other senior Army leaders on legal and policy issues concerning all areas of military personnel management; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command; Chief, International Law, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM); Administrative Law Attorney, Office of the Judge Advocate General; Trial Counsel and Operational Law Attorney, 4th Infantry Division; and Platoon Leader in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.
Ms. Ricci, who in 2020 served on the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee—a five member panel of Highly Qualified Experts appointed by the Secretary of the Army to conduct a review of the Fort Hood command climate and assess its impact on its soldiers and units, particularly as it related to preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment—also discussed the progress that the military has made in implementing the recommendations of the Committee and Department of Defense Independent Review Commission. Ms. Ricci explained that it is critical to this work—and to all of the military’s work—for more women and minorities to be involved. “For me, it’s all about the diversity of views. Everything that is different about human beings can be brought to bear in excellence. You need diversity to achieve excellence. It’s not just about race or ethnicity, but about including all humans as they are.” She further stated that she believes that the military does indeed foster diversity, noting that “[t]here have been many generals of different ethnicities and backgrounds; [the military] really brings out the best in everyone.”
To minorities and those otherwise underrepresented in the field, Ms. Ricci underscored the importance of continued efforts: “You may have to go after what you want more than once.” She also highlighted the importance of seeking mentors to act as champions and advisors. Noting this as a lesson she wished she had learned earlier, she suggested, “Seek [your champions] out. If someone’s not reaching down to you, reach up.”
When asked to reflect upon her career, Ms. Ricci said, “I don’t think [I would take anything back]. It’s not that I’ve done everything perfectly; I think that through mistakes, we learn.”