Prior to his arrival at Georgetown University, The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, LTC Connelly served as The Senior Legal Advisor for the 85th United States Army Reserve Support Command (ARSC), in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

In 2005, he directly commissioned on to active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. LTC Connelly earned: a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas; a Juris Doctor from The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law in Kansas City, Missouri; and a Master of Laws in Military Law with a concentration in Administrative and Civil Law from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Additionally, he is a graduate of: The United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; The Defense Strategy Course; The Reserve Components National Security Course; and The Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) JPME-II in Norfolk, Virginia. LTC Connelly is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Texas, and Missouri.

Mr. Connelly’s notable assignments include: Deputy Command Judge Advocate, 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Orlando, Florida, 2019-2021; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 75th Innovation Command, Houston, Texas, 2018-2019; Chief, Contract and Fiscal Law, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2014-2017; Team Chief, 8th Legal Operations Detachment, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 2013-2014; Special Prosecutor/Assistant Attorney General, Missouri Attorney General’s Public Safety Division, Jefferson City, Missouri, 2013- 2014; Chief, Federal Litigation, III Corps and Fort Cavazos, Fort Cavazos, Texas, 2012-2013; Chief, Military Justice, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force Maverick, Bagram, Afghanistan, 2011-2012; Brigade Judge Advocate, 5th Recruiting Brigade, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 2009-2011; Group Judge Advocate, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2007-2009; Trial Counsel, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, 2006-2007; Administrative Law and Legal Assistance Attorney, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2006.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Afghan Campaign Medals, NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.