Can you be in the military and in law school?
Asked by: Polly Lueilwitz | Last update: January 22, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (25 votes)
LEPs will remain on active duty, with pay and benefits, while attending law school and completing the bar examination. Obligated service is two full years for each year or part thereof in the program, in addition to any other obligation, which the individual has incurred.
Can you go to law school while in the military?
If you're currently active duty in the Air Force or any of the armed forces, there are many ways you can go to law school and get on track to become a JAG. Whether you're finishing your service commitment or in the middle of it, there is an entry program designed for you.
Can you be in the military and a lawyer?
You can keep your job at a civilian law firm and serve part-time through the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Provide legal expertise in a wide range of areas based on current need. Mobilize and deploy to support Army legal operations in the U.S. and abroad.
Should I join the military before 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.
What military branch will pay for law school?
The VA will pay for tuition, required fees and supplies, books, and parking.
Can a military background help future law students?
Will the military pay for me to become a lawyer?
Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP)
Service members continue to serve on active duty and the Army covers the cost of tuition. This program is based on funding availability and limited up to a total of 25 commissioned and noncommissioned officers per fiscal year.
Do law schools care about military service?
Military veterans are hot commodities in law school, and with good reason: the qualities that make you successful in military service will carry you through your legal education and beyond, into your law practice.
What rank do lawyers enter the military?
For the U.S. Navy, newly commissioned JAG officers usually begin as Lieutenants Junior Grade (O-2). Like the Army, exceptional experience in legal practice can qualify you for a higher starting rank. Some may enter as Lieutenants (O-3), especially if they have notable professional backgrounds or advanced legal degrees.
Does it matter what you major in before law school?
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that they do not recommend any specific major for undergraduates or coursework to prepare for law school.
Do military lawyers get extra pay?
Military Justice Career Litigation Track (MJCLT) attorneys are eligible for an additional $10,000 bonus at each payment phase.
Is becoming a jag hard?
The JAG application process is competitive, rigorous and highly selective. We evaluate each candidate using the "whole person" concept, which means we look at academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record (if any) as well as work and leadership experience.
What is the age limit for the Army?
Requirements to join the Army.
Perform important day-to-day operations and ensure the success of your unit's mission. Requirements to join as an enlisted Soldier include: Be between 17 and 35 years old. Be medically and physically fit.
Do military lawyers get deployed?
They are usually assigned to military bases for two years at a time, with possible deployments to other locations during that time. Family members can typically accompany the attorney to their assignments, but not on deployments, which can be for several months at a time.
What is the range of LSAT scores?
To make it easier to compare scores earned across different LSAT administrations, your “raw score” is converted to an LSAT scale. This is the score you receive in your score report. The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.
Is military law more strict?
Military law and civilian law differ in several ways. Firstly, military law is typically more strict than civilian law. In the military, soldiers are subject to harsher punishments for violating rules and regulations compared to civilians who break laws.
Will the military pay for my law school?
Service members interested in joining the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) may be eligible for the Army to cover the cost of law school using the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Service members continue to serve on active duty and the Army covers the cost of tuition.
Which military branch is best for lawyers?
If you're planning to become a lawyer and want to join the military, the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps might be what you're looking for.
Is there an age limit for Jag?
To be eligible for appointment in the Navy JAG Corps DA Program, you must: be a United States citizen of good moral character; be younger than 42 years of age at the time of commissioning; If an applicant is over 42 years of age, a waiver may be authorized.
Can I join the military and be a lawyer?
Law students may apply as early as their final fall semester of law school. At the time of entry onto active duty, hold a JD from an ABA-accredited law school. The law school's ABA accreditation requirement may be waived where applicants have earned an LL. M from an ABA-accredited law school.
Will the military pay off law school debt?
Eligible military servicemembers can avoid this debt burden by using the GI Bill to help pay for law school. For graduates who have already incurred law school debt, the military's various student loan repayment and other debt-relief programs are additional options to alleviate student debt.
Can I go to law school after the military?
After military service, law school can be a great next step, as these six law students can attest. Veterans in or considering law school can learn much from their hard-won victories. “Everything I've done post-military has been because of the military,” says law student and Marine Corps veteran Sergeant Matthew Jodrey.
Is law school 2 or 3 years?
The typical full-time law school program is three years. Many schools also offer part-time options, which involve a slightly lighter course load each term and stretch the curriculum over four years.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
What is the cheapest law school in us?
The cheapest law schools in the US are the University of the District of Columbia law school and the University of North Dakota law school, which are cheapest only for in-state residents.