wˈɑːtkɪn sˈɜːvd æz ɐ kɐnˈeɪdiən fˈoːɹsᵻz lˈiːɡəl ˈɑːfɪsɚ, stˈɑːɹɾɪŋ ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi tˈuː, fɔːɹ twˈɛnti fˈoːɹ jˈɪɹz pɹˈaɪɚ tə hɪz ɐpˈɔɪntmənt tə dʒˌeɪˌeɪdʒˈiː.
Watkin served as a Canadian Forces legal officer, starting in 1982, for 24 years prior to his appointment to JAG.