Susan Escallier Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Military Service, Career, Controversy, Husband, Net Worth, Family

Naijaplaybaze August 6, 2024

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Susan Escallier Biography

Susan Escallier is a retired Brigadier General who served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, primarily as a judge advocate. She was appointed as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions in 2023, where she was responsible for overseeing military commissions, including the Guantanamo Bay war court.

In her role as Convening Authority, Escallier was involved in high-profile cases, such as those related to the 9/11 attacks. Recently, she approved plea agreements that were later overruled by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who revoked these deals, sparking controversy and criticism from various quarters, including the ACLU.

Before her appointment as Convening Authority, Escallier held several significant positions, including Commander of the Army Legal Services Agency and Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals.

Susan Escallier Age

Susan Escallier was born in 1965, making her 59 years old as of 2024.

Susan Escallier Educational Background

Susan Escallier completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was commissioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1988. After her initial military service, she earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from The Ohio State University. Additionally, she holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Military Law and a Master’s degree in Resource Strategy.

Susan Escallier Career Journey

Susan Escallier Biography

Susan Escallier, a retired Brigadier General has a distinguished career in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Over her 32 years of service, she held several prominent legal and leadership positions, contributing significantly to military justice and legal affairs. Let’s explore her career in detail:

Early Military Career

Susan Escallier began her military career after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1988, where she was commissioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Her early assignments included serving with the 25th Infantry Division. This experience provided her with a solid foundation in military operations and leadership, which she later leveraged in her legal career.

Transition to Legal Roles

Following her initial military service, Escallier transitioned to a legal career by earning her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The Ohio State University. She further enhanced her legal expertise with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Military Law. These qualifications allowed her to join the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where she began her ascent in military legal circles.

Leadership in Military Justice

Escallier’s career in military justice saw her take on several leadership positions, including serving as the Commander of the Army Legal Services Agency. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing all civil litigation and managing trial judges within the U.S. Army.

Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals

As the Chief Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, Escallier played a crucial role in shaping military jurisprudence. She was responsible for reviewing court-martial convictions and ensuring that legal proceedings met the highest standards of fairness and integrity.

Convening Authority for Military Commissions

In 2023, Escallier was appointed as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions, a role that placed her at the forefront of military legal proceedings involving national security. As Convening Authority, she was responsible for overseeing the Guantanamo Bay military commissions, making critical decisions on plea agreements and the pursuit of death penalty cases.

Controversies

Susan Escallier has been involved in some controversies, primarily related to her role as the Convening Authority for Military Commissions. In 2024, She approved plea agreements for the accused 9/11 conspirators, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, which would have removed the death penalty as a sentencing option in exchange for guilty pleas. This decision was met with significant controversy and backlash, particularly from political figures and 9/11 victims’ families who felt that the removal of the death penalty was unjust.

Following the public outcry, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin intervened and revoked the plea deals approved by Escallier. He relieved her of the authority to make such decisions in the future, assuming responsibility himself.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil liberties organizations criticized Austin’s decision to revoke the plea deals, arguing that it represented a missed opportunity for judicial closure and a potential violation of due process principles. The ACLU stated that the plea deals were necessary given the complexities and delays in the military commission trials.

Susan Escallier Personal Life and Family

We do know that Susan Escallier is married and has children, however, Information about her family, including her husband and children, is not publicly disclosed.