The fourth child and second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Jill Duggar Dillard made her TLC debut in 2008 at just 17 years old. Viewers got a front-row seat to Jill’s 2014 wedding to Derick Dillard, as well as her journey into motherhood with the birth of her first son, Israel Dillard, in 2015.
Now, more than a decade later, Jill and her husband are making a major life change amid the ongoing Joseph Duggar situation. Read on to discover what the Dillard family is up to.
Derick Dillard Makes Major Career Shift, Joins the Marines
In an update provided on the Dillard family website, Jill and Derick shared with fans that “Derick has joined the Marine Corps!”
They added, “He has been selected for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS)!”
The couple also confirmed that Derick is scheduled to ship out for active duty in just a few weeks. Derick’s goal is to be commissioned as an officer at the end of OCS and then get an assignment as a Marine Corps JAG officer.
Jill and Derick also shared with fans that this career decision has been weighing on Derick’s heart for a while now. They wrote, “Becoming a military JAG officer has been something Derick has wanted to do for a long time and he even received a recruiting letter last year from the Marine Corps, but the timing just wasn’t right for our family, and then by the time we were ready, we weren’t sure the opportunity would still be available.”
They continued, “After starting the process in early March, we have been surprised how quickly things have come together and the doors that have continued to open, so much so that we can’t deny God is leading us in this direction.”
Fans Show Support for Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard’s Big Move
Along with the update on their family website, Jill also shared the news on Instagram. Fans quickly flooded her comment section with messages of support.
One fan wrote, “Thank you!!!! Retired Navy wife, we need godly men to serve and lead!!!”
Another added, “Welcome to the military family !! 17 + years Army wife here. If you ever need anything or have questions, please feel free to reach out.”
While many fans celebrated the update, others questioned why Derick would step away from his legal career to join the Marines. Derick graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in May 2021. After passing the bar in February 2022, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Oklahoma before making the move into private practice.
However, Derick is not really giving up his law career. Instead, he is continuing it in a new capacity as a Marine Corps JAG officer. JAG stands for Judge Advocate General, which means Derick will be serving as a military attorney in the Marines.
Jill Duggar Dillard and Derick Dillard Continue to Focus on Family Amid Ongoing Joseph Duggar Situation
While the Dillards are making big moves for their family of five, they’ve also been dealing with ongoing family turmoil surrounding Jill’s younger brother, Joseph Duggar.
Shortly after news broke about Joseph Duggar’s arrest on March 18, 2026, Derick and Jill posted a statement to their family website condemning the alleged actions of Joseph Duggar.
The couple wrote, “We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.”
They added, “We pray God gives her strength, comfort, and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.”
While the Dillards have made it clear where they stand amid the ongoing Joseph Duggar situation, they are also choosing to remain positive and hopeful for the future. The Dillard family is on to their next big adventure as they prepare for this next chapter with Derick’s transition into military service.
