A career in the military is filled with many opportunities. Whether you are specifically interested in practicing military law, or perhaps have a desire to work for the Federal Government, there may be an opportunity that is right for you by pursuing a role as Judge Advocate General. Judge Advocates generally function in a wide variety of practice areas, often rotating through several areas during their service commitments. The type of law that you may practice will vary based on service branch, assignment, and geographic location.
Following are some frequently asked questions that discuss information for students interested in entering the U.S. military JAG Corps.
Judge Advocates are commissioned officers in one of the U.S. Armed Forces that serve as legal advisors to the command in which they are assigned. Their functions include providing legal advice and assistance in a wide variety of practice areas, as well as serving as prosecutors and defense counsel in courts-martial.
- Air Force: “Judge Advocates are involved with issues concerning discipline and criminal law; claims for and against the government; legal assistance; and other areas such as environmental and real property law, civil law, international law, operational law and labor law.”
- Army: “(Judge Advocates) primarily focus on the areas of criminal law, legal assistance, civil/administrative law, labor/employment law, international/operational law and contract/fiscal law, and medical law.”
- Coast Guard: “The Coast Guard Legal Program is a “full-service” legal support organization, providing legal advice and counsel for any and all requirements the service’s decision makers place on us. This is done within 10 general legal practice areas: Criminal Law/Military Justice, Operations, International Activities, Civil Advocacy, Environmental Law, Procurement Law, Internal Organizational Law, Regulations & Administrative Law, Legislative Support and Legal Assistance.”
- Marine Corps: “The three most common areas of practice for first-term judge advocates include the following: Criminal Litigation, Operational and International Law, and Civil Law.”
- Navy: “As a Navy judge advocate, you will experience the most diverse legal practice available to an attorney. Some of the specific areas of our practice include: Military Justice, Legal Assistance, International and Operational Law, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Civil Litigation, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Information Operations and Intelligence Law.”
- Air Force: 1L, 2L, or 3L year – The Air Force offers three separate programs through which students can apply to be U.S. Air Force Judge Advocates:
- Graduate Law Program. Students must join an AFROTC detachment during their first semester of law school. They will attend an AFROTC field training encampment at an Air Force base during the summer before either their second or third year of law school. Upon completion of the AFROTC program and graduation from law school, GLP cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in an inactive status until they pass the bar, at which time they will enter active duty as first lieutenants.
- One-Year College Program. Students must join an AFROTC detachment during the first semester of their second year of law school. They will attend an AFROTC field training encampment at an Air Force base during the summer before their third year of law school. Upon completion of the AFROTC program and graduation from law school, GLP cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in an inactive status until they pass the bar, at which time they will enter active duty as first lieutenants.
- Direct Appointment Program. Attorneys and students who have completed their second year of law school or have completed two-thirds of their degree requirements may apply for direct appointment as a Judge Advocate. If selected, upon medical qualification, completion of law school and passing the bar, the applicant will be provided a duty assignment. Upon acceptance of the assignment and execution of the oath of office, the applicant enters active duty as a first lieutenant.
- Army: 3L year – Students in their third year of law school may apply for consideration. Applications are due by November 1 and applicants must also schedule an interview with a U.S. Army JAG Corps Field Screening Officer (FSO) prior to that date. If selected, the applicant must meet the Army’s medical and weight standards, be able to obtain a security clearance, and be available for worldwide assignment. Applicants will be notified of their proposed assignment prior to incurring any military obligation.
- Coast Guard: 3L year – Third year law students can initiate an application as soon as the previous third year class graduates. The earlier one starts an application, the more opportunity for consideration and selection in that fiscal year. Once considered and selected, training will begin after the July bar exam dates.
- Marine Corps: 1L, or 2L year – Students interested in the U.S. Marine Corps may apply for the PLC-Law program during their first or second year of law school. Upon acceptance, participants must complete a 10-week course during one summer at Officer Candidate School in Quantico. Upon completion of OCS, they are sworn in as second lieutenants and placed on inactive duty in the Marine Corps Reserve pending completion of law school and passage of the bar.
- Navy: 2L or 3L year – Students may apply after completing their first year of law school. Upon selection, students are commissioned in the inactive Navy Reserve while they finish law school. After completing law school, gaining bar admission, and successful completion of the Navy Officer Development School, participants are appointed as active-duty Navy judge advocates. This is the most common way to become a Navy JAG Corps officer.
Each branch of the military requires that commissioned officers serve four years on active duty. After leaving the branch following this commitment, you must remain for four additional years in inactive status. This means that you no longer serve in the military but can be recalled should need arise due to a conflict/war.
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps – Contact the Marine Corps directly for more information regarding the initial commitment requirement.
- Navy
Of the five branches, the Air Force and the Army currently offer limited opportunities for funded legal education – for active-duty military personnel, or others that are interested in entering their programs. From year-to-year, a select number of candidates are offered these opportunities based on available funds. Generally, if you are accepted into this highly selective program, your tuition, fees, and books will be paid for. Furthermore, if you are active duty, you would likely also receive your regular full pay, allowances, and other benefits while you are in law school.
Air Force Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP): Click here
Army Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP): Click here
Hawaii Air Force Contacts: Capt. Kirsten Selvig (kirsten.selvig@us.af.mil) and Capt. Christopher Simmons (christopher.simmons.32@us.af.mil)
Hawaii Army Contact: Maj. Robert Murdough (robert.e.murdough.mil@mail.mil)
Hawaii Coast Guard Contact: Lt. Amy Sung (amy.k.sung@uscg.mil)
Hawaii Marine Corps Contact: Gunnery Sgt. Brian Laudencia (Brian.Laudencia@marines.usmc.mil)
Hawaii Navy Contact: Lt. Andrew Scott (andrew.j.scott1@navy.mil)
Reference
University of Virginia School of Law, Public Service, “Judge Advocate General FAQs.”