What is an Army lawyer?

Asked by: Karley Wisozk  |  Last update: November 6, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (18 votes)

The U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, or JAG Corps, is a government law organization and one of the country's largest law firms. It defends the Army and its Soldiers in all military legal matters. It provides important legal advice to senior Army officials.

What are the roles of a military lawyer?

Military lawyers handle a wide variety of legal issues including international law, operations law, environmental law, as well as military and civilian personnel issues. From trial preparation to post-trial actions, lawyers provide important legal counsel every step of the way.

What rank is a lawyer in the Army?

Army: First Lieutenant (O-2) (typically promoted to Captain (O-3) after six to nine months). Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant (O-1) (page 3) - Time in law school after commissioning counts for time in service, and many Marine Corps lawyers are promoted to 1st Lieutenant upon graduating from law school.

Do Army lawyers get deployed?

They are usually assigned to military bases for two years at a time, with possible deployments to other locations during that time. Family members can typically accompany the attorney to their assignments, but not on deployments, which can be for several months at a time.

What are military lawyers called?

Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of a military concerned with military justice and military law. A military lawyer's job is similar to a civilian lawyer in their day-to-day duties.

Becoming a Lawyer in the Army | JAGS

18 related questions found

How hard is it to be a jag officer?

The Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps of the five military branches is as competitive and demanding as any military career. Along with completing the educational and licensing requirements of the legal profession, you must also be able to meet the same standards as any prospective officer.

What GPA do you need for Jag?

There are no stated GPA minimums, but your academic performance will be a factor. In addition, the Corps will consider your legal experience, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military work record (if any), and leadership experience.

Is being a jag stressful?

Yes. You are going to deploy if you join the JAG Corps. For some JAGs, this is an insanely stressful but incomparably rewarding experience. For others, it's just insanely stressful.

Will Army 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.

How much does a jag make in the Army?

How much does an Army Jag Officer in Los Angeles, CA make? The average Army Jag Officer in Los Angeles, CA makes $58,858, 3% above the national average Army Jag Officer salary of $57,121. This pay is 28% lower than the combined average salaries of other metros San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC and Denver, CO.

How competitive is Army JAG?

While some judge advocates have prior enlisted or commissioned experience, most are direct commissioned and have no prior military training or experience. Acceptance into the Army JAG Corps is highly selective with an acceptance rate between 4-7%.

What branch pays Jags the most?

An Overview of Military Lawyer Salary Data
  • U.S. Air Force – $48,078.00 per year.
  • 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.

Does military have their own lawyers?

Every military legal assistance office provides free legal assistance to eligible personnel regardless of his or her branch of service. For example, a Marine can obtain legal assistance from an Army JAG, just as a soldier can receive legal assistance from a Marine JAG.

Can a military spouse be a lawyer?

Generally, so long as the attorney-spouse can pass a character and fitness test and is not subject to any disciplinary measures, a military spouse may obtain a license to practice law in a participating jurisdiction without taking the bar exam in that jurisdiction.

What legal branch of the armed forces do military attorneys typically serve in?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, is the military justice branch or specialty of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called judge advocates.

Do JAGs go to combat?

2. Do you ever get deployed or have to go to war? Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world.

Do JAG officers get extra pay?

Navy JAG Corps officers are eligible for a total of $110,000 in retention bonuses, paid over three installments are different career milestones (at approximately the five-year mark, eight-year mark, and 11-year mark).

How long is a JAG enlistment?

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.

Does Jag pay law school loans?

Payments are made directly to a qualified lender over a three-year period, starting after completion of the first year of service as a JAG Officer. Eligible loans can include educational loans taken out for law school, undergraduate school and graduate programs.

Do you need a 4.0 GPA to get into law school?

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.

Can a jag go to Ranger school?

Although the JAG Corps internship primarily focuses on law, interns also are officers in the military and encouraged to immerse themselves in the culture and opportunities offered, Hutton said. That means the ability to attend 6:30 a.m. jump school with the 82nd Airborne Division or even Ranger School.

What rank do you start as a JAG in the Army?

They enter the Army as first lieutenants and quickly earn promotion to captain, generally within a year or less of their initial commissioning. There are several factors affecting their next promotion to major.

How many hours a week do JAG officers work?

Judge advocates, unlike many civilian attorneys, are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At a moment's notice, judge advocates must be ready to serve our clients whenever and wherever required. However, military duties do not preclude the opportunity to perform meaningful pro bono work, as Lt. Cmdr.

Do jag officers ever see combat?

JAG officers are attatched with infantry unit on getting commissioned. That's the only place they may see some action.