What rank do military lawyers start at?
Asked by: Dr. Mikel Wintheiser III | Last update: December 28, 2025Score: 5/5 (74 votes)
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.
What rank are lawyers in the military?
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.
What rank do jag officers start at?
If you were selected under the Student Program, you will be commissioned as an Ensign in the inactive Navy Reserves (non-paid, non-drilling status). If you were selected under the Direct Appointment Program, you will be commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.
What is the title of a military lawyer?
Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) | U.S. Army.
Are all Jag officers Navy?
Today, the JAG Corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 1,000 commissioned officers serving as judge advocates, 550 enlisted members (primarily in the legalman rating), and nearly 700 civilian personnel, all serving under the direction of the judge advocate general of the Navy.
What does an Army Lawyer do
How hard is it to become a navy jag?
The initial JAG training can also be difficult for attorneys with families. Training begins with approximately six weeks of officer training focused on leadership skills and military tactics and then approximately ten weeks of JAG school (Marine JAG training is significantly more rigorous).
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.
Do Jag lawyers 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 is the highest title for a lawyer?
Law Firm Partners
The pinnacle of the law firm hierarchy is the partners of the firm. Law firm partners play a significant role in law firm management and business. Attorneys who are seasoned not only possess extensive legal knowledge. But also play a major role in a firm's business or capital.
Where are most JAGs 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 is the max age to join JAG?
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. Years of prior commissioned military service will increase the age limit.
What are the military ranks in order?
- Second Lieutenant. Typically the entry-level rank for most commissioned officers. ...
- First Lieutenant. A seasoned lieutenant with 18 to 24 months of service. ...
- Captain. ...
- Major. ...
- Lieutenant Colonel. ...
- Colonel. ...
- Brigadier General. ...
- Major General.
What rank do jag officers start at in the Army?
Enter the Army as an officer at an advanced pay grade (First Lieutenant, O-2). Pay information is available HERE. Receive a promotion six to eight months after joining.
Is there a ranking system for lawyers?
"The Martindale-Hubbell rating system is a valuable tool for identifying excellent lawyers of high ethical standards, and has long been my primary source for referral of matters to first-class lawyers," said William Reece Smith, Jr., partner at Carlton Fields.
Do Jag lawyers get deployed?
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.
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.
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 long is a JAG contract?
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.
How long does it take to be a jag?
judge advocate staff officer course
This is a nine-week course where you will be trained on Air Force legal practice.
Do jag officers go to bootcamp?
JAGs don't do basic training. For those not already in the Army, there is a direct commission course that you'd do prior to your JAG basic course (Basic Officer Leaders Course, or BOLC).
Is jag free for military?
Soldiers on active duty and their immediate Families and/or survivors are eligible for free Legal Assistance. highest court of a State or Federal court. Judge Advocates and DoD civilian attorneys assigned to assist eligible individuals with personal legal problems are known as Legal Assistance Attorneys.
Where do Navy jags get stationed?
Once you've completed training, you'll receive your first assignment. Common locations include San Diego, CA; Norfolk, VA; Bremerton, WA; Jacksonville, FL; Pensacola, FL; Mayport, FL; Washington, DC; and Pearl Harbor, HI.
How fast do JAG officers get promoted?
Officers in the Navy JAG Corps presently serve approximately six‐eight years as LTs before they are eligible to promote to lieutenant commander (LCDR). LCDRs serve approximately four‐seven years before they are eligible to promote to commander (CDR).
Do jag officers make good money?
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.