What is the difference between Army JAG and Marine JAG?
Asked by: Eryn McCullough III | Last update: December 25, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (71 votes)
Army, Navy, and Air Force JAGs are restricted officers, meaning they are mostly limited to serving as lawyers throughout their military careers. In contrast, Marine JAs are unrestricted officers, allowing them to serve in various positions that are also open to other Marine officers, such as a Commanding Officer.
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.
What is the difference between Army JAG and Navy JAG?
In the Army JAG Corps, you can experience diverse legal fields, such as criminal law, administrative law, and contract law. The Navy JAG Corps emphasizes maritime and international law, providing roles in military justice and operational law.
What does a marine jag do?
Litigation: As a Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel or Victims' Legal Counsel, Marine Judge Advocates litigate felony and misdemeanor criminal cases before military judges and juries.
Do Army JAG officers see combat?
Throughout the history of the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps), deployed judge advocates and paralegals have provided vital legal support to combat operations.
Major Differences Between a Military Legal Career and a Civilian Legal Career | JAG Corps
What rank is an Army JAG?
“JAG” stands for judge advocate general. These are servicemembers who are also lawyers. Though “JAG” is a popular descriptor for a servicemember lawyer, the Army prefers “Judge Advocate” or “JA” instead. There are over 1800 JAs in the Army worldwide, ranking from First Lieutenant to Lieutenant General.
Do marine JAGs get deployed?
JAG attorneys will likely not live in one location for long. They are usually assigned to military bases for two years at a time, with possible deployments to other locations during that time.
How much do marine jags make?
Average U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate yearly pay in the United States is approximately $73,684, which is 13% above the national average.
Is becoming a jag hard?
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.
How many marine jags are there?
The United States Marine Corps is seeking applicants for positions as Marine Corps Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps Judge Advocate Community is comprised of 595 uniformed, active-duty attorneys serving at bases and stations around the world in support of national security operations.
How much do Army JAGs get paid?
How much does an Army Jag make? As of Jan 15, 2025, the average monthly pay for an Army Jag in the United States is $2,126 a month.
Is NCIS the same as Jag?
NCIS seasons 1 through 5 are coming to Netflix very soon, the streaming service soon being the home of the show's earliest investigations. Originally conceived as a spinoff of the '90s legal drama Jag, the series has become a long-running franchise all of its own, with NCIS season 22 currently airing on CBS.
Can retired military use jag?
Active-duty military, reserve and guard members (depending on status), and retired service members and their families are eligible for free legal assistance, including: Drafting powers of attorney.
What is the acceptance rate for Army JAG?
Acceptance into the Army JAG Corps is highly selective with an acceptance rate between 4-7%.
How long do jag officers serve?
Some Judge Advocates serve for four years, while others serve more than twenty years and earn a full retirement.
Do Jag lawyers pass the bar?
Yes. You may apply to the DAP in your 3L year (i.e., once two-thirds of the credits required for your ABA-approved law degree are complete). If selected, you will not enter active duty until you are medically cleared, pass the bar and receive your license and certificate of good standing.
What rank are jag officers?
In the U.S. military, JAG officers typically start at the rank of O-2, which is First Lieutenant in the Army and Air Force or Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy. This initial rank reflects their specialized training and the critical role they play in providing legal services to service members.
Do marine JAGs see combat?
JAGs, often perceived as confined to courtrooms, sometimes operate in combat zones. They provide real-time legal guidance to commanders. A prevalent myth suggests JAGs avoid danger. In reality, JAGs can face risks while embedded with combat units, ensuring legal compliance during missions.
What is the hardest Marine job?
Security Force duty is among the most challenging the Corps offers, and Marines who take on this opportunity must be highly-trained in advanced security procedures.
Do jag officers get special 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).
Will Jag pay for law school?
Eligible loans can include educational loans taken out for law school, undergraduate school and graduate programs. Air Force JAGs are eligible for reimbursement up to $350 per year for the cost of bar membership. JAGs can apply for tuition assistance to help with the expense of an LL. M.
Where do most Jags get stationed?
- 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)
What are the benefits of the Marine Jag?
In addition to tuition assistance, Marines receive constructive service credit for each year in law school prior to commissioning. You will be promoted on schedule while you're attending law school, and your compensation will increase based upon your length of service and pay grade once you begin active duty.
What is the age limit for the JAG officers?
Qualifications & Requirements
Be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin Active Duty service. Waivers may be requested on a very limited basis.