How long is an Air Force JAG contract?
Asked by: Karina Monahan | Last update: January 26, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (70 votes)
An Air Force JAG (Judge Advocate General) contract involves an initial four-year active duty service commitment, beginning when you depart for Officer Training School (OTS), followed by an additional four years in the Inactive Ready Reserve, making the total obligation eight years, though you can leave active duty after the first four years if you fulfill the reserve requirement.
How long is the Air Force Jag commitment?
You do not incur a service commitment until you accept your JAG assignment. The initial active duty commitment is four years, which begins on the day you depart for Officer Training School (OTS).
How long do you serve as a jag?
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.
What is the shortest contract in the Air Force?
The Navy offers a two-year active duty enlistment, but they couple it with a two- or four-year active (drilling) Navy Reserve commitment. The shortest military contract by the Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps is four years.
How selective is Air Force Jag?
The selection process is competitive. Academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation are all considered.
How to Become an Attorney in the Air Force | Air Force JAG Corps | Air Force Attorney
What is the $600000 bonus for the Air Force?
The $600,000 bonus in the Air Force is a retention incentive for experienced pilots and rated officers, offering up to $50,000 annually for a 12-year commitment, designed to combat a critical pilot shortage and keep skilled aviators from leaving for the private sector, with specific amounts varying by aircraft and commitment length.
What is the easiest JAG to get into?
While all JAG programs are competitive, the Army JAG Corps is often considered the "easiest" to get into primarily because they have the most openings and high turnover, with pathways like the 1L internship and Early Decision Program boosting chances, while Navy and Air Force have smaller quotas, making them tougher, though Navy offers a direct commission path for licensed attorneys. The key to success across services is a strong academic record, leadership, extracurriculars, and physical fitness, with early application to specific programs like Army's internship being a huge advantage.
What is the 59 minute rule in the Air Force?
The "59-minute rule" in the Air Force (and DoD) isn't a formal policy but an informal practice allowing supervisors to excuse brief, unavoidable absences or tardiness (under one hour) without charging leave, based on 5 CFR 630.206, originating from federal regs for managing leave increments. It's for justifiable, ad-hoc situations like traffic, weather, or appointments, not regular early releases or an entitlement, used sparingly by supervisors to cover small disruptions.
Can you get a 2 year contract in the Air Force?
You generally can't get a standard 2-year active duty contract in the Air Force; most active duty commitments are 4 or 6 years, but you can join the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserves with a structure that includes 2 years of active service (often after initial training) and a total 8-year commitment, or the limited National Call to Service (NCS) program offers short active duty stints followed by reserve time. A 2-year total enlistment isn't typical, as the military requires an 8-year service obligation, split between active and inactive (Reserve/IRR) time, though the active portion can be shorter.
Can you retire after 20 years in the Air Force Reserves?
A service member in the Air Force Reserve must have completed 20 years of qualifying service to be eligible for non-regular retired pay at age 60. A qualifying year is a complete year in which a service member has earned a minimum of 50 retirement points.
How much does a first year Jag make?
Income. 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 MOS is least likely to be deployed?
No job is 100% deployment-proof, but roles in Administration, Finance, Human Resources (42A), Cyber, Logistics, and Certain Medical Fields (like dental specialists - 68E, or legal - JAGC) are statistically least likely to deploy, as they often support operations from non-combat, base-level environments, focusing on skills like clerical work, data processing, supply chain, or specialized technical/professional support. The Air Force and Space Force also generally see fewer direct combat deployments than the Army or Marines, with roles in Air Traffic Control, Cyber Security, and Federal Civilian roles on bases being less deployment-heavy.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
What is the hardest school in the Air Force?
The hardest school in the Air Force is widely considered to be the Air Force Special Warfare Pipeline, particularly the Pararescue (PJ) and Combat Control (CCT) training, with the Pre-Dive Course being a brutal gatekeeper known for extreme physical and mental tests like underwater knot-tying and buddy breathing under duress, leading to very high attrition. Other contenders for toughest include the demanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training and the intellectually intense Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun's Air Force equivalent), but Special Warfare stands out for its unparalleled difficulty and attrition.
Is the Air Force going to a 2 mile run?
No, the U.S. Air Force is not going to a mandatory 2-mile run; they are offering the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (HAMR) as an alternative to the 2-mile run on their physical fitness test, allowing airmen a choice every six months, with the official rollout of these updated standards beginning in July 2026. Airmen can now choose between the 2-mile run or the HAMR, with the overall fitness standards remaining intact.
What is the Air Force JAG bonus?
If you stay with the Air Force JAG Corps after you complete your initial four-year obligation, you can qualify for $60,000 in cash bonuses. The money is provided directly to you for your personal use, (e.g. loans, car, house, investments, etc).
What's the shortest military contract?
The shortest practical active duty military contract for the U.S. Army is often a 2-year active duty term, but it's part of an 8-year total commitment, with the remainder served in the Guard/Reserves (a "2x8" contract), meaning roughly 2.5 years total including training. Other branches may have similar options, but availability depends on military needs, job (MOS), and specific programs like the National Call to Service, making 2-year active duty commitments generally the shortest available for enlistees.
What is the best Air Force base for singles?
#1 – Scott Air Force Base, IL
Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. It's a great base to live on whether you're single, married, or have kids, as there's a lot to do in your downtime.
Can you leave the Air Force after 3 years?
You will become eligible to request a separation from the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force after five years of service.
Is the Air Force getting rid of family days?
As of April 9, 2025, the U.S. Air Force officially rescinded its standardized Family Days policy, giving unit commanders broader discretion in determining when time off can be granted.
How fast can you make an E7 in the Air Force?
To be promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7) you will need 8 years of service and 24 months of being in the E-6 grade and you must acquire a 7-skill level. The average duty time for the promotion to Master Sergeant (E-7) is 17 years.
What is a 418 in the Air Force?
In the U.S. Air Force, an AF Form 418 (often just called "a 418") is a document used by a commander to notify an airman of a proposed denial of reenlistment, citing specific performance or conduct issues, and it triggers a formal appeal process for the airman to contest the decision. It's essentially a record that justifies why an airman isn't meeting Air Force standards for continued service, requiring signatures to show notification and allowing for a written appeal to higher command.
How many JAGs are there in the Air Force?
What JAGs Do. The Air Force employs about 1,300 Active-Duty judge advocates, whose responsibilities include advising commanders on their legal responsibilities as leaders and warfighters. The service's top legal officer provides independent legal counsel to senior military leaders.
What branch gets deployed the least?
The U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Air Force, particularly in non-combat support roles (like cyber, logistics, admin), generally have the lowest deployment frequency, followed by the Coast Guard, while the Army and Marines typically deploy more due to their ground combat roles; however, specific jobs (MOS/AFSC) and reserves heavily influence deployment, with some Air Force Guard roles offering very low deployment.
Do jag officers go to bootcamp?
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.