Major Christopher M. Chatelain (JD/MDR '09) Selected for Department of Defense Military Personnel Exchange Program

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumnus Major Christopher M. Chatelain (JD/MDR ’09) has been selected to participate in the Department of Defense Military Personnel Exchange Program (MPEP), where he will serve as part of the British Army Legal Services for 24 months. As the only U.S. lawyer assigned to the British Army’s 3rd (UK) Division, Major Chatelain will provide legal advice to British Army leaders regarding international law and the rules of engagement.

The primary objective of the MPEP is to strengthen alliances by building relationships and enhancing military interoperability. Exchange agreements between two countries are based on international agreements. MPEP assignments are highly competitive and nominative, requiring demonstrated capability for future positions of greater responsibility.

Prior to selection as a UK Exchange Officer, Major Chatelain served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps for over 12 years. Major Chatelain graduated several Army schools, including Parachutist, Jungle Operations, and Arctic Warfare training.  Major Chatelain served on multiple assignments world-wide, including a 12-month combat deployment in Afghanistan.

Major Chatelain comments, “In addition to providing a comprehensive and rigorous legal foundation, Pepperdine’s dispute resolution courses proved invaluable for my career as a Judge Advocate. The MDR program helped me navigate conflict in a constructive way, especially as an organizational-level leader. Whether it was negotiating courts-martial plea agreements or building consensus in Afghanistan with international organizations and non-governmental agencies, I have always been able to rely on the Straus Institute’s curriculum to effectively lead through conflict.”