How do I become a JAG?

Asked by: Nelda Weimann  |  Last update: August 8, 2022
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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.

How hard is it to get into JAG?

Depending on the service branch, the acceptance rate for JAG Corps applicants is typically between 4-7%. The Army, for instance, receives about 4000 applications every year and only accepts around 200.

Is being a JAG worth it?

By becoming a JAG, you are guaranteed a career that has rotating assignments by location and practice area, exposing you to the world and the law in ways you could have never imagined. It provides unrivaled practical and hands-on experience to springboard your career.

Is being a JAG hard?

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).

Can a civilian be a JAG?

U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps

We are the civilians of the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. The JAG Corps' mission is critical to the success of military operations. JAG Corps civilians perform a wide variety of legal and non-legal roles to ensure the Navy's legal mission is accomplished.

How to Join the JAG Corps | Becoming a Judge Advocate

30 related questions found

What rank is a JAG lawyer?

Judge Advocates enter active duty as first lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to captain (O-3) after six months.

Does Navy JAG 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 Army JAGs see combat?

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.

Do JAG officers have to go through 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.

Does military pay for law school?

Yes, through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), the Army covers the cost of law school for up to 25 active-duty Officers and non-commissioned Officers every year.

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law.

How long is a JAG contract?

4. How long is the initial service commitment? Each branch of the military, with the exception of the Marine Corps, 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.

Will the Air Force 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.

Do you go to law school before becoming a JAG?

To become a JAG lawyer, you'll need to go to law school and attend the Officer Candidate School, which is the training academy for prospective military officers. You must also be a US citizen, pass a security clearance, and meet the physical requirements for the branch of the military you choose.

Do you need to pass the bar to be a JAG?

In order to be a judge advocate in any military service, the member has be a graduate of an accredited law school and have passed the bar examination in at least one state.

Is JAG Navy only?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, is the military justice branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

How long is JAG training?

The course of instruction is nine-ten weeks and covers civil and military law, as well as intensive trial advocacy training.

How long is AF JAG school?

The initial training is the same, requiring eight weeks at OTS, followed by nine weeks at JASOC. There are Reserve and National Guard units around the country.

How fast do JAG officers get promoted?

Time in Army JAG Ranks

For promotion to company grade ranks – first lieutenant and captain – the time-in-grade requirements are 18 months and two years, respectively. For promotion to each of the three field grade ranks – major, lieutenant colonel and colonel – the time-in-grade requirement is three years.

Is being a JAG stressful?

For some JAGs, this is an insanely stressful but incomparably rewarding experience. For others, it's just insanely stressful. Deployments can cause divorces, missed births of first-born children, missed NFL seasons, and just an overall miserable six months to a year of your life.

What do you do after JAG?

An Army lawyer? You have to go to the JAG officer school once you get your law degree and pass the bar. There are lots of ways to get the degree. The Army has a program called Funded Legal Education Program that sends officers already serving in other branches to some of the best law schools in the country.

How often are JAG officers deploy?

A diverse practice provides a Judge Advocate a broad base of knowledge. Typically, Judge Advocates rotate legal disciplines every one to two years, and move to a different installation every two to three years. Leadership, physical fitness, diversity, and collegiality are priorities in the JAG Corps.

Do Jags make more money?

US Army Salary FAQs

The average salary for an Army JAG Attorney is $107,278 per year in United States, which is 5% higher than the average US Army salary of $101,845 per year for this job.

Do Jags get bonuses?

Retention Bonuses: Navy JAG Corps officers are eligible for a total of $60,000 in retention bonuses paid over three installments at different career milestones (at approximately the four-year mark, seven-year mark and 10-year mark) that can be used by officers to pay off their student debt.