Veteran Finds a New Way to Serve Through Law at KU

A few months ago, Christian White walked into Green Hall alongside 121 other eager law students. Not long before that, he’d spent months beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean in a submarine with no internet, no sunlight and more people than his entire 1L class.

White, a first-year law student and U.S. Navy veteran, served in the military for 12 years — four at the United States Naval Academy and eight on active duty. Much of his career was spent in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he served as a submarine warfare officer aboard the USS Missouri, a nuclear-powered submarine with a crew of about 130 sailors.

 “Working onboard a submarine requires a lot of hard work and effort,” White said. “That experience gave me very valuable perspective in preparing for my Fall 1L semester.” 

The New Jersey native graduated from the Naval Academy in 2017 with a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. He was drawn to submarines during his time at the academy due to the impressive engineering that goes into the vessels and the dedicated crew it takes to run them. And, luckily, White wasn’t afraid of the close quarters.

“People weren’t meant to be underwater for months at a time, and yet humans found a way to do it,” White said. “It’s really impressive, and I really wanted to be a part of it.”

After months of deployment and long stretches away from family and friends, White decided it was time for a change. He and his wife, whom he met while they were stationed in Hawaii, relocated to the Midwest to be closer to her Kansas City roots. As he transitioned out of military service, White began exploring a new path, one that would allow him to serve in other ways.

“I was very interested in being in another profession where there's some amount of service,” he said. “After learning more about law school, what lawyers do and what's available to them, I thought law school was a great opportunity to serve with like-minded people who are contributing to the greater good.”

White is now pursuing his J.D. at the University of Kansas School of Law, where his background in engineering has sparked an interest in intellectual property. He is involved in both the Intellectual Property Law Society and the Veterans in Law Society.

“With the engineering background, it seems like a natural fit,” he said. “I have friends who left the submarine service and went to law school in different places across the country. They seem to be really enjoying the work they're doing and find that their service has really helped set them up for success.”

When he visited KU Law, White said the sense of community stood out.

“I've really enjoyed just how cordial and welcoming both the students and the faculty are. Everyone here seems invested in ensuring success for the law students,” he said.

While at KU Law, White hopes to assist in the Veterans Legal Support Clinic, a new hands-on learning opportunity for students to provide essential legal assistance to veterans facing obstacles that hinder their transition to and success in civilian life. He noted that helping other veterans, in any capacity, is something that means a lot to him.

As he reflects on his transition from military life to law school, White credits his Navy experience with shaping his work ethic and focus. On the submarine, White didn’t have access to the internet or his phone, forcing him to focus on himself and his work. Now, when he’s reading for class or writing essays, he can call back to these skills and focus on what he needs to.

For other veterans considering higher education, White’s advice is simple: go for it.

“The veterans' benefits that come with being a student at the law school, covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, are phenomenal,” he said. “I think the Department of Veterans Affairs has done a great job of incentivizing veterans to go back to school and get into higher education.”

Whether submerged hundreds of feet below the ocean or buried in casebooks in Green Hall, Christian White remains mission driven. He is committed to learning, leading and serving others.

-By Casey Bacot