What is it like to be a military lawyer?

Asked by: Precious Cronin V  |  Last update: October 16, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)

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.

Do military 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.

Do JAGs ever see 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 lawyers see combat?

Depending on the needs of the Army, the judge advocate may be assigned to additional locations during their first four-year tour, which can include combat zones.

What rank do military lawyers start at?

Marine, Air Force and Navy military lawyers start at the rank of O-2, and Army lawyers start at the rank of O-1.

Becoming a Lawyer in the Army | JAGS

19 related questions found

Do JAGs get paid more?

Because JAGs are the highest-ranking lawyers, salaries for other military lawyers are likely to be lower.

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.

What is the age limit for the JAG officer?

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Active Duty: Be under the age of 42 at the time of entry into the JAG Corps. Years of prior commissioned military service will increase the age limit. Army Reserve: Be under the age of 33 at the time of entry into the JAG Corps.

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.

Is Jag realistic?

Like the hit TV series Law and Order, Jag is also based on real-life instances pulled from headlines that reference aspects of actual incidents and cases related to American Naval Law.

How selective 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%.

Why are military lawyers called Jags?

Leverage your law degree to serve the nation and advocate for justice as a military lawyer.

What is the life of a JAG?

As a JAG, you'll be able to travel as well as live and work in exciting locations all over the world. And while you're serving your country, you will have the opportunity to continue your education through specialized training in an array of legal fields.

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

JAGs and Marine JAs serve as trial lawyers—prosecutors, defense counsel, and victim's counsel. Most JAGs and Marine JAs will serve in a military justice role in their first tour to enable them to advise commanders and commanding generals competently in future assignments.

Will the military pay for my law school?

Service members interested in joining the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) may be eligible for the Army to cover the cost of law school using the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Service members continue to serve on active duty and the Army covers the cost of tuition.

How hard is it to join JAG?

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.

What is the maximum age for the Armed Forces UK?

Age. You must be at least 17 years and 9 months when you apply. You can apply to join the Army until the day before your 50th birthday (for Reserve Soldier) and 48 years and 9 months for Officer Roles. There are higher age limits for some specialist roles, and ex-Regular Rejoiners.

What is the legal age to join the armed forces UK?

In the UK, 16 and 17-year-olds can join the British Army as soldiers, with consent from their parents. Soldiers cannot be deployed to the front line until they are aged 18.

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.

What is unique about JAG positions?

In addition to acting as paralegals to military attorneys, JAG enlisted often provide limited paralegal services such as drafting commonly used legal documents for service members and their families, providing guidance to unit commands regarding the administrative and disciplinary procedure, and acting as notaries.

What are the benefits of becoming a JAG?

FINANCIAL BENEFITS
  • Enter the Army as an officer at an advanced pay grade (First Lieutenant, O-2). ...
  • Receive a promotion six to eight months after joining. ...
  • Receive a pay raise every one to two years.
  • Receive a substantial tax-free housing and subsistence allowance each month.
  • Low-cost life insurance coverage.

Do Jags have ranks?

Time in Army JAG Ranks

For promotion to each of the three field grade ranks – major, lieutenant colonel and colonel – the time-in-grade requirement is three years. Thus, a judge advocate must be a captain for at least three years before becoming eligible for promotion to the highest rank JAG officer.

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.