French was commissioned through the Judge Advocate General's Corps Student Program in 1992, graduating in 1993 from the Villanova University School of Law.

Seventh Fleet; staff judge advocate to Commander, Carrier Strike Group FIVE; and legal officer, aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

His other assignments include legal counsel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; staff judge advocate, U.S. European Command; deputy legal advisor to the U.S. National Security Council; special counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations; commanding officer, U.S.

Region Legal Service Office, Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia; chief of Operational Law, Multi-National Forces, Iraq; deputy legal counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; assistant force judge advocate, Commander, U.S.

[6][7][8][9] In May 2024, French was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as Judge Advocate General of the Navy.