Dr. Douglas L. Simon

Dr. Doug Simon became the Dean of the Leadership and Military College and the Commandant of Cadets in July of 2022. Prior to coming to Tarleton State University, Dr. Simon had an extensive academic and military career. Within the realm of academics, Dr. Simon holds a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Political Science and History from Southwest Minnesota State University, a master’s degree in Public Administration (M.P.A) from the University of South Dakota, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of South Dakota School of Law, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from South Dakota State University.

With higher education, Dr. Simon’s academic career spans over 20 years as a tenured professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he served in a number of academic roles and efforts, to include chair of the Department of Business, member of accreditation, strategic planning and institutional assessment committees, and the architect for Southwest Minnesota State University’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. With scholarship and teaching, Dr. Simon lectured and wrote on a variety of academic fields including constitutional law, international law, international relations, business law, public policy, leadership, and organizational theory. Dr. Simon is published in the Military Law Review and the Army Lawyer writing on topics associated with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Dr. Simon has 35 years of military service. He currently serves as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at United States Strategic Command holding the rank of colonel. With his military service, Dr. Simon’s career began in 1989 when he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1989 as a Cannon Crewmember with the 1/151st Field Artillery. He served in field artillery until February of 2000 when he received his commission into the Judge Advocate General Corps as a First Lieutenant.

His prior notable assignments include: Staff Judge Advocate for the State of Minnesota from 2015 to 2023; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 34th Infantry Division from 2012-2015; Command Judge Advocate for the 347th Regional Support Group from 2010-2012; Brigade Judge Advocate for the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade from 2006-2009; and Operational Law Attorney for the 34th Infantry Division. Dr. Simon deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2003 with the 34th Infantry Division, which contributed to Operation Joint Forge SFOR 14, a mission operating near Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dr. Simon also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008-2009, where he served as the Brigade Judge Advocate for the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, located at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Dr. Simon’s military education includes graduate of the Army War College Fellowship Program in 2020, where he studied at the University of Texas in areas focused on cyber and national security law; a Master’s in Law (LL.M) from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (with a specialization in Military Law), graduate of the Command General Staff College Intermediate Level Education, and graduate of the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course.