REAR ADMIRAL DONALD J. GUTER
JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL'S CORPS
UNITED STATES NAVY
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
UNITED STATES NAVY
Rear Admiral Donald J.
Guter, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U. S. Navy, was born June
26, 1948, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the
University of Colorado in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He
received a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University Law
School in 1977 and is admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.
Rear Admiral Guter was commissioned a line Ensign in the Navy in 1970 pursuant to the NROTC regular program. He served as Gunnery Officer, Administrative and Legal Officer on board USS Sylvania (AFS-2) until 1973 when he was assigned to the Human Resources Management Center, Norfolk as an Intercultural Relations Specialist until 1974.
After graduation from the Naval Justice School in 1977, Rear Admiral Guter served as Trial and Defense Counsel and performed legal assistance duties at Naval Legal Service Office, Seattle. He transferred to Great Lakes in 1980 and completed a tour as staff attorney to the Administrative and Service School Commands before being assigned as a Special Court-Martial Judge, Atlantic Judicial Circuit Branch Office, Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes.
Rear Admiral Guter's Washington assignments have included tours in the Litigation, Administrative Law, and Military Personnel Divisions of the Office of the Judge Advocate General, as Assistant for Legal and Legislative Matters in the Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and as Legislative Counsel in the Office of the Chief of Legislative Affairs.
In July 1990, Rear Admiral Guter was assigned as Special Counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations. He assumed command of the Naval Legal Service Office, Mid-Atlantic in June 1994. In July 1996, Rear Admiral Guter assumed the duties of the Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General. On 3 October 1997, Rear Admiral Guter assumed duties as Deputy Judge Advocate General and as Commander, Naval Legal Service Command. As the capstone to his distinguished career, on 9 June 2000 he assumed duties as the 37th Judge Advocate General of the Navy.
Rear Admiral Guter's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars and the Navy Commendation Medal. He is authorized to wear the Surface Warfare device.