Engels promoted to Colonel in Army

Minneota attorney John Engels was recently promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army.
Engels has served the past 22 years as a judge advocate. He has served as trial counsel, chief, legal assistance, environmental law specialist, administrative law, Brigade Judge Advocate for the 1-34 Brigade Combat Team in Irag as part of the longest deployment of he Iraq war, as Command Judge Advocate for the 347 RSG, military judge, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, and most recently as Regional Defense Counsel.
As Regional Defense Counsel, Engels was responsible for leading a team of attorneys and paralegals across a nine state region and providing defense services for over 40,000 service members. He worked with senior leaders across the region to ensure his team was properly resourced. Engels was also responsible for overseeing the performance of his team members and mentoring and supporting the Midwest TDS team.
As part of providing training and support for those assigned to him, Engels planned, led and executed training exercises for officers from 20 U.S. states and the territory of Guam. Col, Engels was also directly involved in training younger army defense lawyers from all U.S. states and territories.
"The job required traveling frequently to many locations in the United States, which was interesting and rewarding," said Engels. "And it was an opportunity to build friendships from locations as far flung as Guam and Rhode Island."
Engels was recognized on multiple occasions by the Chief of National Guard Trial Defense Services and the commander of the U.S. Army JAG school as among the best regional defense counsels in the country.
After serving as Regional Defense Counsel for four years, Col. Engels is now exploring other opportunities and contemplating retirement from the U.S. Army.
"Though rewarding, the work is very time consuming and resulted in significant time spent away from my family," he said.
Engels is now looking forward to more time at home with his wife Amanda, while also being able to travel with her for non-working obligations.
"I will not miss the 3 a.m. trips to St. Paul or to the airport," he said about retirement.
There are 25 pay grades in the Army, ranging from E-1 to O-10. Col. Engels started his military career in 1989 as a private E-1 as an infantry soldier.
As a Colonel O-6, Engels has progressed from the first pay grade to the 21st. His original intent was to end his service after six years as a Specialist E-4.
"A 30-year career of service to the United States and the State of Minnesota required a great deal of sacrifice, many early mornings, late nights, and days away from home," Engels said. "Yet the perspective, experience, knowledge, relationships, and leadership training and opportunities provided unique opportunities for personal and professional growth."
Through a long career involving many challenges, Engels has developed lasting friendships and counts among his very best friends the people with whom he served.