How long do JAG officers serve?

Asked by: Raymond Lynch Jr.  |  Last update: November 9, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (8 votes)

JAG attorneys are required to serve at least four years on active duty and usually four more years on inactive status afterward. The freedom to change jobs, take vacations, and many more aspects of daily life are limited. JAG attorneys will likely not live in one location for long.

How long is an Army JAG Contract?

Active Duty: Active Duty Judge Advocates incur a four year Active Duty service obligation, followed by a four year period in the Individual Ready Reserve (an inactive, non-drilling military status). Army Reserve: Army Reserve Judge Advocates incur an eight-year service obligation.

How long are JAG deployments?

Deployments normally last six to ten months and include port‐calls to locations throughout Europe and Asia.

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.

How difficult is it to become a JAG officer?

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.

How to Become an Attorney in the Air Force | Air Force JAG Corps | Air Force Attorney

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What rank do JAG officers start at?

New Army Judge Advocates enter service as First Lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to Captain (O-3) six to nine months later. Officers receive a raise in basic pay upon promotion to Captain and receive automatic pay increases after serving 2, 3, and 4 years.

Do 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.

Does Army JAG pay for law school?

Will the JAG Corps pay for my 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.

Do JAG officers 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.

What military branch goes in first in a war?

The Marines are often the first on the ground in combat situations, leading the charge when conflict arises.

Which military branch gets deployed the most?

Soldiers on active duty in the Army deploy more than any other branch, with the possible exception of the Navy (although most Navy deployments are on ships at sea). How often you deploy depends on whether the U.S. is involved in any ongoing conflicts. Deployment is also heavily determined by your Army job.

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.

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 much do Air Force Jags make?

The salaries of Air Force Jags in the US range from $10,085 to $237,745 , with a median salary of $42,868 . The middle 57% of Air Force Jags makes between $42,868 and $107,389, with the top 86% making $237,745.

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.

How much do Army Jags make?

The salaries of Army Jag Officers in the US range from $10,917 to $291,686 , with a median salary of $52,943 . The middle 57% of Army Jag Officers makes between $52,945 and $131,968, with the top 86% making $291,686.

Is Air Force JAG competitive?

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, and work and leadership experience.

How long is Army JAG training?

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).

How do I get into JAG?

In order to become a JAG officer, you'll need to meet the following 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.

Do Air Force JAG officers get deployed?

JAG Corps Airmen perform most of their work at legal offices located at Air Force installations and deployed locations around the world.

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.

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

To qualify for enlistment into the JAG Corps of any branch and practice law in the military, you must pass the bar exam. You may take the exam in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. While it is not required, you should strongly consider taking the bar exam in the same state you attended law school.

Do JAGs go to OCS?

Marine Judge Advocates (often referred to as “JAGs” by laymen who do not really know the difference) are unrestricted line officers who go through the same initial training (OCS and TBS) as all other officers in the Marine Corps.