What rank is JAG Corps?
Asked by: Ms. Lera Gibson Jr. | Last update: October 4, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (22 votes)
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.
What rank are JAG lawyers?
“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.
What rank is a JAG officer in the Navy?
Student Program officers will serve as ensigns (O-1) (in a non-paid status) during law school and will promote to lieutenant junior grade (O-2) after passing the bar exam and upon starting active duty.
What is the Army equivalent of JAG?
The Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) is a different kind of law firm. Since its founding in 1775, the JAG Corps mission has been to represent the legal interests of Soldiers and the U.S. Army with unmatched strength, courage, character and commitment, and unsurpassed knowledge of the law.
Is it hard to get into 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.
Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps
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.
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 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.
What rank is a lawyer in the Army?
Any rank from 1st Lieutenant to Lieutenant General. Because of the J.D. degree, military lawyers start out one rank higher than the ordinary officer. After that, their rank progression is the same as any other officer's.
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)
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.
What rank is a Navy JAG officer?
The Navy JAG Corps includes a cadre of over 1,000 uniformed attorneys in the United States Navy who are commissioned naval officers in pay grades ranging from lieutenant junior grade (LTJG) through vice admiral (VADM).
Do I need a law degree to be a JAG?
Direct Appointment Program
Be a graduate of an ABA-accredited law school. Be admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court of a State, Territory or Commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin Active Duty service. Meet any additional basic requirements.
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.
What rank do Army JAG officers start at?
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.
How long is naval justice school?
Upon completion of TBS, you will undergo specialized training in military law at the Naval Justice School (NJS) at Newport, Rhode Island. Following this 10 week course you will report to your first command, where you will begin your practice.
Do JAG officers have to pass the bar?
You will begin the training pipeline after you have commissioned and after you have passed the bar exam. You must have passing bar results prior to attending Officer Development School (ODS).
How long is the JAG contract?
Once you begin active duty at NJS, you will be required to serve four years. After a four-year active duty obligation, your name will remain on a list of inactive reserve officers for four additional years if you choose to leave active duty.
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.
Do jag officers go to bootcamp?
As a Judge Advocate, you won't participate in the Basic Training that enlisted Soldiers complete. Instead, you'll attend the Direct Commission Course (DCC), a six-week rigorous physical, weapons, and leadership course that will prepare you to serve as an Officer.
What is the acceptance rate for Army JAG?
Acceptance into the Army JAG Corps is highly selective with an acceptance rate between 4-7%.
What is the Air Force equivalent of Jag?
Over 1,300 active duty military attorneys, called judge advocates (JAGs), have discovered that service as a commissioned officer in the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) has much to offer. Our legal practice is challenging and offers early opportunities to litigate in a variety of forums.
Do you get deployed as a jag?
If you are eager to play a critical role in the operations of the Air Force, focusing on operations law is a rewarding career path. JAGs in this field deploy with operational units, where they provide vital legal services to the combat leadership and Airmen.