Can I join the military and go to law school?

Asked by: Audreanne Simonis  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (67 votes)

Yes, provided your schedule allows and provided the law school has a night program. If you are a commissioned officer, you can apply for the Funded Legal Education Program which provides full pay and allowances plus pays for books, fees and tuition. Also, the Air Force has an excess leave legal education program.

Can you go to law school in the military?

Military Students

Today, our flexible trimester system and full and part-time enrollment options allow active duty and reserve members of the military and their spouses the chance to pursue a legal education while serving their country.

Does the military pay for law school?

And the Army is willing to pay the law school tuition, with the help of the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Officers selected for FLEP attend a civilian law school of their choice, for three years of legal studies, while remaining on active duty with full pay and benefits.

Does military help with law school?

As far as “soft” factors go, military service is one of the strongest for law school admissions. The reason for this is that the qualities that are required/trained in you through your service are those that make you a good student: drive, discipline, focus.

How much will the military pay for law school?

A law degree is three years of full-time schooling (four years part time) at a cost of roughly (in 2021) $65,000 a year. The GI Bill will pay 100% of tuition costs for any public school. Most private law schools, including the elite ones like Yale and Harvard, also have unlimited Yellow Ribbon Program participation.

How I go to law school for free - Zero $$ out of pocket

44 related questions found

Is it hard to get into JAG?

The initial JAG training can also be difficult for attorneys with families. Training begins with approximately six weeks of officer training focused on leadership skills and military tactics and then approximately ten weeks of JAG school (Marine JAG training is significantly more rigorous).

Do JAG lawyers get deployed?

Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world. JAGs serve as legal advisers to military commanders and have many responsibilities, including providing legal opinions on whether military actions comply with the laws of armed conflict to prosecuting or defending service members in courts martial.

Will the Marines pay for law school?

WILL THE MARINE CORPS PAY FOR LAW SCHOOL? Although programs do exist whereby active duty Marine officers are ordered to attend law school, drawing full pay and allowances while tuition is paid by the Marine Corps, no similar program is available to officers who enter the Marine Corps via the OCC(LAW) or PLC(LAW).

Does Air Force pay for law school?

The Air Force, however, offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty. Under FLEP, commissioned officers and enlisted members on active duty may apply and be competitively selected to attend law school through the Air Force's funding.

Will the Navy pay for law school?

‐ Funded Graduate Education: As part of the culture of learning that the Navy JAG Corps fosters, Navy judge advocates have the opportunity to earn a Master of Law (LL. M.) degree fully‐funded by the Navy.

Do JAG lawyers go to basic training?

Military officers, including JAG lawyers, do not undertake the same bootcamp-style basic training as enlistees, but they must complete an officer basic course that teaches military protocols and includes physical fitness training. ... Each branch of service has its own locations for training.

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), which encompasses the career path for military lawyers, has been popularized by the television show JAG, the film A Few Good Men, and a host of other pop cultural touchstones. If you're looking to serve your country as a lawyer, consider the JAG Corps.

How difficult is law school?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

Can I go to law school while in the Navy?

The Law Education Program (LEP) gives active-duty Navy officers the opportunity to enter law school, earn the degree of Juris Doctor, and subsequently serve as a career Navy judge advocate. This is a selective program typically accepting only four Navy officers each year.

Does the Air Force have a 2 year enlistment?

Two years is the shortest amount of time a new enlistee can sign up for active duty, however, there is a catch. You actually have an eight-year commitment but you can perform this commitment as an active duty member, a Reservist, or Individual Ready Reservist (IRR).

What is a lawyer in the military called?

ABA Career Center

More and more, new lawyers are becoming JAG officers (aka Judge Advocate Generals Corp), working in all legal matters involving the military, which mirrors almost every aspect of civilian law. JAGs are in each of the five US military branches: army, navy, marines, coast guard, or air force.

How do you become a military lawyer?

What are the Steps to Become a Military Lawyer
  1. Step 1: Be a valid applicant. ...
  2. Step 2: Earn an undergraduate degree. ...
  3. Step 3: Go to Officer Candidate School. ...
  4. Step 4: Pass the LSAT Exam. ...
  5. Step 5: Finish your legal education. ...
  6. Step 6: Pass the bar exam. ...
  7. Step 7: Apply for the state bar. ...
  8. Step 8: Attend a state swearing ceremony.

What are Air Force lawyers called?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Air Force.

How do you get into JAG?

JAG ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  1. Graduate from an ABA-approved law school (you may apply in your third year of law school)
  2. Be admitted to the bar and serve in the National Guard of the same state.
  3. Be mentally and physically fit.
  4. Be of good moral standing and character.
  5. Be a U.S. citizen.

Do JAG lawyers see combat?

The likelihood of you seeing combat is slim to none. CJ sends. 100% that you will be deployed since JAGs are assigned to a unit. If that unit (BDE or Div) goes, the JAG goes with it.

What are Marine lawyers called?

Marine Corps judge advocates, or JAs, are licensed attorneys who are also commissioned officers in the Marine Corps.

Is a degree in law worth it?

According to a Gallup poll of over 4,000 adults who obtained a law degree between 2000 and 2015, only 23% said obtaining a law degree was worth the cost. 1 With the average law school debt coming in around $145,500, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Does JAG pay law school loans?

The highly touted Air Force JAG Corps Student Loan Repayment Program pays eligible JAGs up to $65,000 toward student loan debt. Payments are made directly to a qualified lender over a three-year period, starting after completion of the first year of service as a JAG Officer.

How much do Navy JAGs make?

Active duty judge advocate pay currently starts at between $55,000 and $75,000 per year as a lieutenant junior grade (O‐2) and between $65,000 and $95,000 per year as a lieutenant (O‐3), depending on when the officer accepts a commission and where they are stationed.

Do JAG officers do PT?

I agreed, but told him that I was in the Army, and that in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps we do physical training before we are allowed to give legal advice to our client.