A. J. Chegwidden
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Albert Jethro 'A.J.' Chegwidden JAGC
, USN
(Ret.), played by John M. Jackson
, was the Judge Advocate General of the Navy
until his retirement in May 2004 on the television series JAG
. Chegwidden succeeded Rear Admiral
Al Brovo, USN
, played by Kevin Dunn
, in 1996 and his successor is Major General
Gordon M. Cresswell
, USMC
, played by David Andrews
. Not only being the superior of Harmon Rabb, Jr.
and Sarah MacKenzie
, he often instinctively turned into a missing father figure—providing not only comical relief, but also a reflection on their respective personal backgrounds.
of Naples, Italy. In 1972 their daughter, Francesca, was born. Sometime in the 1970s, they divorced and his ex-wife received custody of Francesca. Marcella remarried, to an Italian
man named Vittorio Parreti, who was later murdered. Chegwidden has said that although he is proud of his daughter, he wishes that he would have spent more time with her. Francesca ran into problems when she fell in love with mafia member Luciano Antinori.
He has had other romances throughout the years (with judge Laura Delaney and Dr. Sydney Walden) but nothing really came from them. Judge Delaney was killed after stepping on a landmine. His last and longest romance in the series was with Meredith Cavanaugh. They meet when she went to JAG headquarters to meet with Col. MacKenzie
, but he thought she was another attempt at matchmaking from his subordinates. He later learned that Col. MacKenzie wanted to speak with her about a course she wanted her "little sister" Chloe to attend and he apologized. They bonded over their common interest for Shakespeare
. Although the Admiral and Meredith got engaged near the end of Season 8, he found out she was cheating on him in Season 9 and ended their engagement on the spot.
Lt. Bud Roberts
and his wife Harriet Sims
named their first son A.J. after him. During episodes where he is stuck at home, he is often kept company by a German shepherd named "Dammit" (the only name the dog would respond to), whom he encountered when he was accidentally ejected from an F-14 piloted by Commander Rabb into a blizzard-covered forest in Virginia.
baseball team. The Cleveland Indians
drafted
him, but instead he chose to accept an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
. After graduating from the Academy he went on to become a Navy SEAL, serving with valor and distinction in the Vietnam War
. When the war had ended he transferred to surface warfare
, serving aboard destroyer
s. Chegwidden rose to command an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer; a cased model of one graces the mantel of his office fireplace. During the 1980s, his career took yet another turn as he left Surface Warfare and went to Law School
. As a member of the Navy's JAG Corps he rose quickly through the ranks, serving as the head of JAG in the Pacific before being appointed Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy in 1996.
He is a member of the Bar Association
s of Virginia
, Maryland
and New York.
When Lt. Bud Roberts
was wounded after stepping on a landmine, Chegwidden attempted to soothe the news to Bud's wife, Harriet
, and seemed to be a little melodramatic while doing it. Another time he showed his softer side was when he broke the news of Harm's aircraft accident while attempting to return home in time for Mac's engagement party to Mic.
He also is known for playing the absent father figure to several of the JAG staff. When Bud and Harriet lost a stillborn child, the Admiral attempted to help both by granting an emergency leave. (Bud, however, refused to stay away longer than a week, feeling that returning to work was in his and his wife's best interests.)
Chegwidden is also known for showing a side of himself that frightens most who have seen it. The "Old Man" may be the Navy's Judge Advocate general, but he has never forgotten his roots as a Navy SEAL.
In one episode, he broke the nose of Special Agent Clayton Webb for putting Harm and Mac in danger. This particular incident impressed Webb so much that he never again tried to ruffle the Admiral's feathers.
He was responsible for the death of Antinori after Antinori had kidnapped Francesca. Even though it was Francesca who pulled the trigger, the Admiral was present and made no move to stop her. He had earlier killed several of Antinori's bodyguards.
He also scared Harm on several occasions, most notably when Harm and Mic Brumby were responsible for accidentally breaking Bud's jaw. He yelled at both of them, threatening to horsewhip and keelhaul
Harm, until he decided on a non-judicial punishment that fit the crime. He ordered Harm and Mic to confine themselves to a warehouse and did not allow them to come out until each had inflicted the same amount of punishment on the other as they had inflicted on Bud.
He even rattled a CIA "sweeper," when he realized that the rogue agent was playing mind games with him. These mind games resulted in the death of the woman he loved.
The Admiral was targeted by the father of a sailor that the Admiral put away, who later was exonerated. Unfortunately, the young sailor had died in prison. Chegwidden had to show considerable restraint to keep from killing the man.
On more than one occasion Chegwidden put his career on the line to back his staff or to help them when they needed it. Perhaps the best example of this was when as one of his final acts as the Judge Advocate General, he went to the Secretary of the Navy and demanded that Bud Roberts be promoted. Roberts had been passed over for promotion because he was no longer qualified for sea duty. The usual result of being passed over is involuntary separation from the Navy. Chegwidden argued that passing over an officer due to a wound received in the line of duty was immoral. Bud's promotion to Lieutenant Commander was duly made.
Admiral Chegwidden would also be authorized to wear the Surface Warfare Officer badge as well as the command at sea and command ashore
pins, based on his statements that he commanded a destroyer following his Vietnam service and the fact he commanded JAG Pacific at one time. However, admirals can flout uniform regulations to some degree, and Chegwidden wears only the qualification badge dearest to him, the "Budweiser badge" of a Navy SEAL.
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
, USN
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
(Ret.), played by John M. Jackson
John M. Jackson
John Murice Jackson is an American actor, best known for playing Rear Admiral A. J. Chegwidden on the CBS series JAG....
, was the Judge Advocate General of the Navy
Judge Advocate General of the Navy
The Judge Advocate General of the Navy is the highest ranking uniformed lawyer in the United States Department of the Navy. The Judge Advocate General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations on legal matters pertaining to the Navy...
until his retirement in May 2004 on the television series JAG
JAG (TV series)
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
. Chegwidden succeeded Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Al Brovo, USN
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, played by Kevin Dunn
Kevin Dunn
Kevin Dunn is an American actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films since the 1980s. His roles include Colonel Hicks in the 1998 version of Godzilla, Sam Witwicky's father in Transformers, and Oscar Galvin, the primary antagonist in the 2010 action thriller...
, in 1996 and his successor is Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Gordon M. Cresswell
Gordon Cresswell
Major General Gordon M. 'Biff' Cresswell, USMC was the last Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy on the fictional television series JAG. Major General Gordon Cresswell succeeded Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden upon his retirement in 2005.-Career:Like his predecessor, General Cresswell is...
, USMC
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, played by David Andrews
David Andrews (actor)
David Andrews is an American actor, best known for his role as General Robert Brewster in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.Andrews was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana...
. Not only being the superior of Harmon Rabb, Jr.
Harmon Rabb
Captain Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr., JAGC, USN, is a fictional and lead character in the American television series JAG....
and Sarah MacKenzie
Sarah MacKenzie
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, JAGC, USMC is one of the main characters in the JAG TV series.In her first appearance on the show and for several seasons, she holds the rank of Major USMC, but is then promoted to Lieutenant...
, he often instinctively turned into a missing father figure—providing not only comical relief, but also a reflection on their respective personal backgrounds.
Family
The family background of Chegwidden himself has never been revealed. At age 24, he married Marcella, the daughter of the MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Naples, Italy. In 1972 their daughter, Francesca, was born. Sometime in the 1970s, they divorced and his ex-wife received custody of Francesca. Marcella remarried, to an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
man named Vittorio Parreti, who was later murdered. Chegwidden has said that although he is proud of his daughter, he wishes that he would have spent more time with her. Francesca ran into problems when she fell in love with mafia member Luciano Antinori.
He has had other romances throughout the years (with judge Laura Delaney and Dr. Sydney Walden) but nothing really came from them. Judge Delaney was killed after stepping on a landmine. His last and longest romance in the series was with Meredith Cavanaugh. They meet when she went to JAG headquarters to meet with Col. MacKenzie
Sarah MacKenzie
Lieutenant Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, JAGC, USMC is one of the main characters in the JAG TV series.In her first appearance on the show and for several seasons, she holds the rank of Major USMC, but is then promoted to Lieutenant...
, but he thought she was another attempt at matchmaking from his subordinates. He later learned that Col. MacKenzie wanted to speak with her about a course she wanted her "little sister" Chloe to attend and he apologized. They bonded over their common interest for Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. Although the Admiral and Meredith got engaged near the end of Season 8, he found out she was cheating on him in Season 9 and ended their engagement on the spot.
Lt. Bud Roberts
Bud Roberts
Lieutenant Commander Bud J. Roberts, Jr. JAGC, USN is a character in the JAG TV series.-Story:Son of a retired Master Chief, Roberts joined the Navy, and as an Ensign was assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Seahawk as the Public Affairs officer under Captain Ross. It was during this role as the...
and his wife Harriet Sims
Harriet Sims
Lieutenant Harriet Beaumont Sims-Roberts, USN is a character in the JAG TV series.Sims first appeared in the second season episode "Crossing the Line" as an Ensign aboard Seahawk, where she had replaced her future husband, Lt. Bud Roberts as the ship's public affairs officer...
named their first son A.J. after him. During episodes where he is stuck at home, he is often kept company by a German shepherd named "Dammit" (the only name the dog would respond to), whom he encountered when he was accidentally ejected from an F-14 piloted by Commander Rabb into a blizzard-covered forest in Virginia.
Career
Chegwidden was a talented pitcher on his High SchoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
baseball team. The Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
drafted
Draft (sports)
A draft is a process used in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia and the Philippines to allocate certain players to sports teams. In a draft, teams take turns selecting from a pool of eligible players...
him, but instead he chose to accept an appointment to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. After graduating from the Academy he went on to become a Navy SEAL, serving with valor and distinction in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. When the war had ended he transferred to surface warfare
Surface warfare
Modern naval warfare is divided into three operational areas: surface warfare, air warfare and submarine warfare. Each area comprises specialized platforms and strategies used to exploit tactical advantages unique and inherent to that area....
, serving aboard destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s. Chegwidden rose to command an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer; a cased model of one graces the mantel of his office fireplace. During the 1980s, his career took yet another turn as he left Surface Warfare and went to Law School
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
. As a member of the Navy's JAG Corps he rose quickly through the ranks, serving as the head of JAG in the Pacific before being appointed Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy in 1996.
He is a member of the Bar Association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
s of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and New York.
Attitude
Chegwidden often comes across as being hard-nosed and very bound to his position. However, he has been known to show vulnerable moments in his life and career, and is fiercely protective of those he considers to be "his people."When Lt. Bud Roberts
Bud Roberts
Lieutenant Commander Bud J. Roberts, Jr. JAGC, USN is a character in the JAG TV series.-Story:Son of a retired Master Chief, Roberts joined the Navy, and as an Ensign was assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Seahawk as the Public Affairs officer under Captain Ross. It was during this role as the...
was wounded after stepping on a landmine, Chegwidden attempted to soothe the news to Bud's wife, Harriet
Harriet Sims
Lieutenant Harriet Beaumont Sims-Roberts, USN is a character in the JAG TV series.Sims first appeared in the second season episode "Crossing the Line" as an Ensign aboard Seahawk, where she had replaced her future husband, Lt. Bud Roberts as the ship's public affairs officer...
, and seemed to be a little melodramatic while doing it. Another time he showed his softer side was when he broke the news of Harm's aircraft accident while attempting to return home in time for Mac's engagement party to Mic.
He also is known for playing the absent father figure to several of the JAG staff. When Bud and Harriet lost a stillborn child, the Admiral attempted to help both by granting an emergency leave. (Bud, however, refused to stay away longer than a week, feeling that returning to work was in his and his wife's best interests.)
Chegwidden is also known for showing a side of himself that frightens most who have seen it. The "Old Man" may be the Navy's Judge Advocate general, but he has never forgotten his roots as a Navy SEAL.
In one episode, he broke the nose of Special Agent Clayton Webb for putting Harm and Mac in danger. This particular incident impressed Webb so much that he never again tried to ruffle the Admiral's feathers.
He was responsible for the death of Antinori after Antinori had kidnapped Francesca. Even though it was Francesca who pulled the trigger, the Admiral was present and made no move to stop her. He had earlier killed several of Antinori's bodyguards.
He also scared Harm on several occasions, most notably when Harm and Mic Brumby were responsible for accidentally breaking Bud's jaw. He yelled at both of them, threatening to horsewhip and keelhaul
Keelhauling
Keelhauling is a form of punishment meted out to sailors at sea...
Harm, until he decided on a non-judicial punishment that fit the crime. He ordered Harm and Mic to confine themselves to a warehouse and did not allow them to come out until each had inflicted the same amount of punishment on the other as they had inflicted on Bud.
He even rattled a CIA "sweeper," when he realized that the rogue agent was playing mind games with him. These mind games resulted in the death of the woman he loved.
The Admiral was targeted by the father of a sailor that the Admiral put away, who later was exonerated. Unfortunately, the young sailor had died in prison. Chegwidden had to show considerable restraint to keep from killing the man.
On more than one occasion Chegwidden put his career on the line to back his staff or to help them when they needed it. Perhaps the best example of this was when as one of his final acts as the Judge Advocate General, he went to the Secretary of the Navy and demanded that Bud Roberts be promoted. Roberts had been passed over for promotion because he was no longer qualified for sea duty. The usual result of being passed over is involuntary separation from the Navy. Chegwidden argued that passing over an officer due to a wound received in the line of duty was immoral. Bud's promotion to Lieutenant Commander was duly made.
Awards and decorations
 |
|||
| Special Warfare insignia | |||||
| Navy Cross Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all... |
Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... w/ valor device Valor device The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor... |
||||
| Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... w/ 1 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... |
Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... |
|||
| Navy Expeditionary Medal Navy Expeditionary Medal The Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created in August 1936 by General Orders of the Department of the Navy... |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 2 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
|||
| Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... w/ 1 service star |
Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War... |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
|||
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Gallantry Cross The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an... w/ palm |
Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.- Background :... |
|||
Admiral Chegwidden would also be authorized to wear the Surface Warfare Officer badge as well as the command at sea and command ashore
Command Ashore insignia
Command Ashore insignia is a breast insignia of the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard.-United States Navy:In the U.S. Navy, the Command Ashore insignia is a gold metal, three-pronged trident device with a trident centered on an elliptically shaped laurel wreath...
pins, based on his statements that he commanded a destroyer following his Vietnam service and the fact he commanded JAG Pacific at one time. However, admirals can flout uniform regulations to some degree, and Chegwidden wears only the qualification badge dearest to him, the "Budweiser badge" of a Navy SEAL.