Do jag officers go to ocs?

Asked by: Suzanne Quigley  |  Last update: April 21, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (1 votes)

Yes, aspiring JAG (Judge Advocate General) officers in the Army and Marines do generally go to Officer Candidate School (OCS) to become officers first, but Navy JAGs attend the less intensive Officer Development School (ODS) after commissioning, or OCS if selected via specific pathways, focusing on military law training at the Naval Justice School afterward; the key is that they become an officer before fully becoming a certified JAG.

Do jag officers go through oCS?

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

You will undergo basic military training alongside other future Navy leaders, including surface warfare officers, pilots, submariners, civil engineering officers and staff corps officers. The completion of OCS in Newport, RI is how a judge advocate earns their commission.

What rank are jag officers?

8. What rank will I begin at?

  • Air Force: First Lieutenant (O-2) (typically promoted to Captain (O-3) after six months).
  • Army: First Lieutenant (O-2) (typically promoted to Captain (O-3) after six to nine months).
  • Coast Guard: Lieutenant (O-3)

What is the easiest JAG to get into?

While all military JAG (Judge Advocate General) programs are competitive, the Army JAG Corps is often cited as the "easiest" to get into due to having the most spots and higher turnover, but it's still selective (around 4-7% acceptance); the Navy and Air Force are generally tougher, with the Air Force being particularly competitive for quality of life, though all branches value strong academics, leadership, and fitness. Key strategies to improve chances include applying through internships (like Army's 1L program), securing direct commissions after law school, demonstrating leadership, and performing well in interviews, says Reddit users and wikiHow contributors. 

Do jag officers go to boot camp?

What training do Army Lawyers need to complete? As a Judge Advocate, you won't participate in the Basic Training that enlisted Soldiers complete. Instead, you'll attend the Direct Commission Course (DCC), a six-week rigorous physical, weapons, and leadership course that will prepare you to serve as an Officer.

The Path to Becoming a Navy JAG (Avery Smith)

25 related questions found

Do jag officers ever see combat?

Q: Do JAG Officers See Combat? A: JAG officers are often deployed into combat zones and can potentially experience combat. They must be ready to fight if necessary, and that is why, in order to be accepted into the JAG Corps and become a military lawyer, you must pass different physical tests and training.

What is the most in demand MOS in the Army?

High-demand Army MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) often fall into Cyber/Signal, Intelligence, Medical, Aviation, and certain Logistics/Mechanic roles, driven by modern warfare needs, with examples like 35F (Intelligence Analyst), 25D (Cyber Network Defender), 68W (Combat Medic), 17 series (Cyber Operations), and 13/14 series (Artillery/Air Defense), frequently offering significant bonuses (up to $50k+) for enlistment due to critical shortages. 

Are JAG officers real lawyers?

JAGs are both officers and practicing attorneys with responsibilities that focus on all legal aspects of military operations—leadership, military justice, civil law and litigation, and operations and international law.

Do jag officers pass the bar?

Yes, all JAG officers must pass a state bar exam and be licensed to practice law to join the JAG Corps, either by taking it after law school (Student Program) or by already being a licensed attorney (Direct Appointment Program). Passing the bar is a fundamental requirement for eligibility and practice as a military lawyer, alongside graduating from an ABA-accredited law school and meeting other military commissioning standards. 

Who is the only 6 star general?

Gene Schwartz A 6-star general is a common, informal term for the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the highest possible rank in the U.S. Army. This rank has been bestowed upon only three individuals: John J. Pershing, George Washington (posthumously), and Ulysses S. Grant (posthumously).

What is the rarest rank in the navy?

The rarest ranks in the U.S. Navy are often considered the Admiral of the Navy (a six-star rank, held by only George Dewey) and Fleet Admiral (a five-star rank, held by only four WWII-era officers), as these are rarely used and carry significant historical weight, though today's rarest might be the unique Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) for enlisted ranks. For current or very rare flag ranks, the Commodore title (previously a one-star rank, now an honorific for senior captains) also represents a unique, almost extinct, rank/title dynamic, notes Military.com.
 

What is the rarest MOS in the Marine Corps?

The rarest Marine Corps MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) often points to highly specialized roles like 4133 (MCCS Retail) with fewer than 100 personnel, or niche technical/intelligence jobs, though specific numbers fluctuate; other contenders for rarity include Ground Sensor Platoon (GSP) members (Secondary MOS 8621) or certain Cyber/Radar repair roles, but the MCCS retail jobs are consistently cited as extremely small communities. 

Who are the only 5 star generals?

There have been five 5-star generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry H. Arnold, and Omar Bradley.

What is the 4 2 2 rule in the Navy?

"4-2-2" in the Navy refers to a standard enlistment contract for new sailors since October 2020, requiring 4 years of Active Duty (AD), followed by up to 2 years in the Selected Reserve (SELRES), and then 2 years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) to complete the total 8-year Military Service Obligation (MSO). This system ensures sailors transition from full-time service to part-time reserve duty, with the Navy determining if a sailor moves to SELRES based on their needs and time in service. 

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.
 

Is JAG hard to get into?

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 $600000 bonus for the Air Force?

The $600,000 bonus is a retention incentive for experienced U.S. Air Force pilots and other aviators (like drone operators, combat systems operators) to stay in service, offering up to $50,000 annually for committing to 3 to 12 more years to combat a long-standing pilot shortage, with amounts varying by aircraft type and commitment length. This initiative, running through programs like the Experienced Aviator Retention Incentive (EARI), aims to retain critical skills, supplementing non-monetary perks like assignment choice. 

What is the hardest MOS to qualify for?

The hardest Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to get generally fall under Special Operations (like Army Special Forces, Air Force Pararescue/Combat Control, Navy SEALs) or highly technical fields (like Army Cyber Operations, EOD), due to extremely rigorous selection, demanding training pipelines with high attrition, and intense physical/mental requirements, with some specialized roles like Army Astronauts (FA 40) being incredibly rare. 

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are typically high-level roles in Tech, Finance, Law, Healthcare, and Executive Management, often involving significant responsibility or performance-based pay, such as CEOs, surgeons, investment bankers, senior software engineers, and top-tier consultants, though high-earning potential also exists in specialized sales and successful entrepreneurship. 

Can you make $100,000 in the military?

Yes, you can make $100,000 or more in the military, especially as an officer or in specialized roles, by combining base pay, allowances (like BAH for housing and BAS for food), bonuses, and benefits, with high-demand fields like aviation, cyber, and medical offering significant earning potential both during service and in high-paying civilian careers afterward. Reaching six figures often depends on rank, specialty, years of service, location (affecting allowances), and smart financial management, with some enlisted members achieving it through diligent saving and investing, notes a Reddit thread. 

Why does silver outrank gold in the military?

In terms of heraldic tradition, insignia changes over time created the situation of silver outranking gold. Beginning in 1780, general officer rank was designated by silver stars. Beginning in the 1830s, colonels wore silver eagles, with the color likely chosen because general officers already wore silver.

How do you address a lieutenant?

Call Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels “Colonel.” Address First and Second Lieutenants as “Lieutenant.” Call Majors “Major.” Address Captains as “Captain.”