How much do jags make in the military?

Asked by: Dr. Adelia Durgan DVM  |  Last update: August 24, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (71 votes)

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.

Do JAGs get military benefits?

Mobilize and deploy to support Army legal operations in the U.S. and abroad. Enjoy flexibility and train periodically, typically just one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer. Get paid for your service and receive many federal benefits, including low-cost medical coverage and retirement benefits.

Which branch pays JAGs the most?

U.S. Army – $48,078.00 per year. U.S. Coast Guard – $55,638.00 per year. U.S. Marine Corps – $41,727.60 per year. Navy JAG – $48,078.00 per year.

How long is the JAG contract in the Army?

After the initial four years, you would remain for four additional years on inactive status, during which time you would not be serving in the military but could be recalled should the need arise. JAG members in all branches receive a base salary and employee benefits like health and life insurance.

How hard is it to get into the 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.

Becoming a Lawyer in the Army | JAGS

28 related questions found

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.

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.

What rank do you start as a jag?

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).

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.

Where do most JAGs get stationed?

MAJOR ARMY LOCATIONS
  • 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 do boot camp?

Because Army Judge Advocates are Soldiers, they must remain physically fit according to the Army's standards. Newly commissioned Judge Advocates do not participate in traditional “boot camp” like the media portrays. Instead, Judge Advocates will attend a Direct Commission Course.

How often do JAGs deploy?

Typically, Judge Advocates rotate legal disciplines every one to two years, and move to a different installation every two to three years.

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.

How selective is Army JAG?

Acceptance into the Army JAG Corps is highly selective with an acceptance rate between 4-7%. In 2017, the Army JAG Corps accepted 200 out of 4,000 applicants. Initial entry training into the JAG Corps is composed of two phases: 6-week Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Moore, Georgia.

Do you get 50k for joining the military?

Qualified active duty recruits may be eligible for a combination of bonuses totaling up to $50,000. The maximum bonus for a three, four, five, or six-year contract is based on periodic updates and is subject to change.

How much is deployment pay?

The new benefit, called Operational Deployment Pay, is $240 a month and is effective immediately retroactive to Oct. 1, Wormuth said during a meeting with reporters at the Association of the U.S. Army's 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

How fast do JAGs get promoted?

The pay and benefits of joining the JAG Corps are competitive. Attorneys will commission as lieutenants and typically be promoted within the first 6-12 months.

Is being a jag worth it?

Becoming a Judge Advocate is personally, professionally, and financially rewarding. In addition to your salary, the JAG Corps offers student loan repayment and other benefits that will help you build your future. You will receive both tangible and intangible benefits not offered by other employers.

What MOS sees the most combat?

The Army and the Marine Corps are usually the first to be deployed and typically experience the most combat among all branches. However, this doesn't mean that other branches like the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard do not see combat. They do, but the nature of their work might be different.

How competitive is becoming a jag?

We receive hundreds of highly competitive applications each board and have only a limited number of selection quotas available to offer Professional Recommendations to. The selection rate for the Student Program continues to hover around 5 to 20% for the past 5 years, and even less for our other commissioning programs.

How long do jag officers serve?

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.