Student Organization Spotlight: National Security & Military Law Society NSMLS president Henry Rodriguez '27L discusses the goals of the organization and opportunities for students to get involved.

By Law Communications
November 10, 2026

Tell us about the organization and its mission.

The National Security & Military Law Society (NSMLS) exists to connect law students interested in the distinct but often-interconnected areas of national security law and military law, and to facilitate speakers and networking events on topics relevant to those fields. We bridge the gap between students who have national-security or military backgrounds and students who do not but may be interested in future related legal work.

What events do you have this fall and spring? Are there particular speakers, programs, or events NSMLS has hosted that have been especially memorable or impactful?

Early on this fall, through the Office of Career Strategy, we helped bring representatives from five military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) to campus for 2026 JAG Day, with informational interviews with law students and a career panel guided by NSMLS Vice President Jared Paul ’28L. In October, NSMLS co-hosted Michael J. Missal ’78, former Inspector General of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, for a dive into IGs’ historical oversight role. In addition to the talk’s administrative law themes, which resonated with me after being fascinated by Professor Murchison’s final Admin Law class last spring, I enjoyed the challenge of responding and asking Mr. Missal questions on the fly as a discussion moderator.

In November, NSMLS will host Thomas C. Wingfield, the 2019-2021 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy, for a talk on why the “rule of law” is a useful concept to military theorists and international legal scholars alike, applying his experience as a Rule of Law Advisor for NATO’s mission in Afghanistan. I’m particularly excited for this event, as I had the pleasure of working with Tom at DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations Law Division this summer and think there will be great takeaways for those interested in national security law, international law, and/or just history fans (like me).

Finally, with the generous assistance of Professor Will Mackie, for several years NSMLS has taken interested students to the two-day Law, Ethics and National Security (LENS) Conference at Duke Law in late February, which brings experts and students together to discuss emerging issues in the field. I attended last year—some favorites were the discussions on space law and the business elements of national security law. We hope to bring another group this spring.

If alumni are interested in getting involved, what can they do and how can they connect?

Definitely reach out to me over email, hrodriguez@law.wlu.edu, to our Vice President, Jared Paul, or get in touch with our Dean of Students, Maria Saez-Tatman, who can connect you with someone in the club.

How many law students are currently involved—do you need to have a military background to participate? How has the law school community supported students in this organization?

Great question! You don’t need a military background to participate—I don’t have one personally, though some members do. You could only be interested in national security law, only in military law (such as serving as a Judge Advocate), or both. There are roughly 40 students in the club. The administration and OCS have helped us with putting on the JAG Day Event and sometimes recommending speakers of interest. Professor Mackie, who teaches our National Security Law class, has also helped generate interest in our events.

What would you tell a prospective student who is a veteran, has a military connection, or is interested in national security and military law about the community they would find at W&L Law?

This is a small community where most law students know nearly everyone in their class (at least, I do). You have a chance to invent or re-invent yourself in a supportive environment. If you come here to become a Judge Advocate, W&L helps with the connections to pursue that, like through our JAG Day. Alternatively, if you have a military background but want to turn over a new page with a traditional legal career, as several people I know have done, you’re not going to feel pigeonholed based on your past. Either way, with just a little effort, you will come out of here with a supportive network and lifelong friends.

What has being involved with NSMLS added to your own experience at W&L Law?

I’ve been able to see the breadth of what national security law actually entails, particularly in the worlds of business and federal law enforcement. Additionally, leading NSMLS has been a great opportunity to learn what goes into making an event happen. I recommend 3Ls take on leadership positions in areas they’re interested in; it’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone.