Can you get a law degree through the military?
Asked by: Russ Herzog | Last update: October 28, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (19 votes)
The Law
Can you get a law degree in the military?
A career in the military is filled with opportunities. Pursuing your dreams of practicing law is one of them. 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.
Is military service good for law school?
Military service has little to no effect in law school admissions. The two most important factors are LSAT and undergraduate GPA. At the elite law schools, like Harvard, Duke, or Georgetown it might help a little bit.
Is it hard to get into jag?
Acceptance into any jag program ranges from 1-5% of applicants depending on the service applied to.
Is being a lawyer in the military worth it?
As always, there is a cost to service in the military, but the reward for your service — experience in different areas of the law, a decent salary and benefits, and the pride of serving your country — may be well worth the sacrifice.
Law School Admissions as a Military Applicant
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.
Which military branch is best for Jag?
Furthermore, Air Force bases are often considered to have better facilities and are located in more desirable locations. The Marine Corps JAG program tends to be smaller than the others, offering a tight-knit community and more hands-on experience early on.
Does Jag pay well?
The Navy JAG Corps offers active duty judge advocates a competitive starting salary, ranging from $80,000 to $108,000, depending on duty location. Your initial pay rapidly rises as you promote, reach longevity milestones, and become eligible for continuation bonuses.
What is the max age to join jag?
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Active Duty: Be under the age of 42 at the time of entry into the JAG Corps. Years of prior commissioned military service will increase the age limit. Army Reserve: Be under the age of 33 at the time of entry into the JAG Corps. Years of prior commissioned military service will increase the age limit.
Will Jag pay for law school?
Does the Air Force JAG Corps pay for law school? The Air Force JAG Corps currently does not offer scholarships to pay for law school. The Air Force, however, offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty.
Which military branch pays for law school?
The VA will pay for tuition, required fees and supplies, books, and parking.
What is a good GPA in law school?
The average GPA for law school is between 3.91. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher.
Do military lawyers get deployed?
Operational and International Law: Marine Judge Advocates maintain the same readiness and training standards as every Marine Officer and are deployable worldwide. Marine Judge Advocates have opportunities to deploy with scalable Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF) around the world.
What rank do jag officers start at?
If you were selected under the Student Program, you will be commissioned as an Ensign in the inactive Navy Reserves (non-paid, non-drilling status). If you were selected under the Direct Appointment Program, you will be commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Does military look good for law school?
Military service shows law schools that you can accomplish long-term goals. Use that to your advantage. This commitment sets you apart from traditional law school applicants and prepares you for dedicating yourself to the rigorous study and practice of the law.
Do jags have to pass the bar?
Because we must wait on you to become a licensed attorney before scheduling you for officer training, you will not become a servicemember until after the bar exam results are released and you are licensed to practice law. If you are a law student or ROTC cadet, you may apply for internship or externship opportunities.
How to become a lawyer through the military?
- Have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Law degree from an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school.
- Have a license to practice law in any state.
- Be a U.S. citizen by the time you commission as an Officer.
- Be under the age of 42.
- Be eligible for a Secret Security Clearance.
Is it hard to get into JAG Corps?
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.
Do jag officers go to bootcamp?
JAGs don't do basic training. For those not already in the Army, there is a direct commission course that you'd do prior to your JAG basic course (Basic Officer Leaders Course, or BOLC).
What is the acceptance rate for Army JAG?
Acceptance into the Army JAG Corps is highly selective with an acceptance rate between 4-7%.
How long is a Jag contract?
As a JAG you're commissioned as a (second?) lieutenant (or other branch equivalent) after you finish your officer training & JAG school training. You serve for 4 years. After that, you can try to renew for another 4 years.
Where are most JAGs stationed?
- Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (near Baltimore)
- Fort Belvoir, VA (near Alexandria)
- Fort McNair, Washington, DC.
- Fort Meade, MD (near Baltimore)
- Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, VA (near Arlington)
Do JAGs see combat?
While JAG lawyers are not traditional combatants, their military roles often involve them in combat zones. There, they provide essential legal support to ensure that military operations comply with international law.
Do you get deployed as a jag?
If you are eager to play a critical role in the operations of the Air Force, focusing on operations law is a rewarding career path. JAGs in this field deploy with operational units, where they provide vital legal services to the combat leadership and Airmen.