how to be a navy lawyer

by Imani Bogisich 8 min read

The Law Education Program (LEP) gives active-duty Navy officers the opportunity to enter law school, earn the degree of Juris Doctor, and subsequently serve as a career Navy judge advocate. This is a selective program typically accepting only four Navy officers each year.

Full Answer

What are the requirements to become a navy lawyer?

You must be a U.S. citizen. As an aspiring Legalman, you should possess good writing and communication skills, excellent hearing, attention to detail, and typing skills. The Navy will provide classroom and group instruction in Navy legal, administrative and clerical functions.

Can you go to Law School in the Navy?

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy JAG Corps as an already licensed attorney, you must meet these basic qualifications: 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

How do you become a Judge Advocate in the Navy?

How it Works. Application Deadlines. Application Process. The Law Education Program (LEP) gives active-duty Navy officers the opportunity to enter …

How can I join the military as a lawyer?

Overview. We are over 900 attorneys based throughout the world who practice law, support the Navy, and serve our nation ashore and at sea. As commissioned naval officers, we are the uniformed lawyers of the U.S. Navy. We are members of the Navy's Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. Our practice encompasses a broad array of law.

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Does the Navy hire lawyers?

The Navy JAG Corps provides legal support for the fleet and enables the Navy mission throughout the world, both ashore and at sea. The JAG Corps is ideal for lawyers looking to gain hands-on legal experience in many different areas of law including: Military Justice.

Will the Navy pay for law school?

IPP Funded Legal Education Training selectees will remain on active‐duty, with pay and benefits, while attending law school and completing the bar exam. Navy administrative (NAVADMIN) messages annually announce deadlines and application procedures for the IPP board.Oct 10, 2020

What is a lawyer in the Navy called?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG", is the legal arm of the United States Navy.

Can you go to law school while in the Navy?

It enables selected law students to commission in the inactive Navy Reserve while attending law school. Upon law school graduation and bar admission, Student Program participants are appointed as active-duty Navy judge advocates, ready to start their adventure.

How hard is it to get into Navy JAG?

Depending on the service branch, the acceptance rate for JAG Corps applicants is typically between 4-7%.May 9, 2017

Do Navy JAG lawyers get deployed?

Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world. JAGs serve as legal advisers to military commanders and have many responsibilities, including providing legal opinions on whether military actions comply with the laws of armed conflict to prosecuting or defending service members in courts martial.Jun 16, 2019

Is JAG a good career?

Conclusion. JAG is an absolute correct way to fulfil one's dream. The officers always have a fixed timeline and working hours which helps them in achieving the attributes from the profession.

What rank is a JAG lawyer?

Judge Advocates enter active duty as first lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to captain (O-3) after six months.

How long is the naval Justice school?

A 10-week Basic Lawyer Course trains Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard lawyers in the fundamentals of military justice and relevant civil law, with particular focus on the development of trial advocacy skills, administrative law and investigations, legal assistance, basic operational law and the preparation of new ...

Can the military pay for law school?

Will the JAG Corps pay for my 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.Sep 10, 2021

Can Naval Academy students drink?

The Naval Academy is cracking down on drinking. ``We are going to have zero tolerance for alcohol misuse and abuse,'' said Capt. Randy Bogle, commandant of midshipmen at the academy where liquor plays a part in about 60 percent of the serious conduct offenses.

What does JAG stand for in the Navy?

Judge Advocate Generals Corp
ABA Career Center

More and more, new lawyers are becoming JAG officers (aka Judge Advocate Generals Corp), working in all legal matters involving the military, which mirrors almost every aspect of civilian law. JAGs are in each of the five US military branches: army, navy, marines, coast guard, or air force.

What degree do you need to be a sailor?

Sailors serve in one of over 100 occupational specialties and require a high school diploma or GED. Officers have four year degrees and are trained in one of dozens of specialties [including aviation, ships, submarines, and support] and lead and manage Sailors.

Can you be a JAG in the Navy Reserve?

The position of JAG Corps Officer in the Navy Reserve is open only to those with current or prior Active Duty experience. The Student Program is the most common way to become a Navy JAG. To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy JAG Corps as a law student, you must meet these basic qualifications:

What is a Navy JAG?

The Navy JAG Corps provides legal support for the fleet and enables the Navy mission throughout the world, both ashore and at sea. The JAG Corps is ideal for lawyers looking to gain hands-on legal experience in many different areas of law including: Military Justice. Legal Assistance. International Law.

What is the degree of an officer?

Officer. Officers have four year degrees and are trained in one of dozens of specialties [including aviation, ships, submarines, and support] and lead and manage Sailors. Enlisted. Sailors serve in one of over 100 occupational specialties and require a high school diploma or GED. Officer.

What is a JAG degree?

As part of the culture of learning that the Navy JAG Corps fosters, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree fully funded by the Navy in areas of study including military law, international law, national security law, cybersecurity law, environmental law and trial advocacy. You’ll also have access to benefits that include:

Where is the ODS in the Navy?

Located in Newport, Rhode Island, ODS is specifically tailored to those entering ...

How to join the JAG Corps?

There are two ways to enter the JAG Corps as a Marine. The first is the PCL-Law program --the Marine Corps equivalent to the student entry program. Students complete the ten-week Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, either during the summer before law school, or the 1L or 2L summer. Candidates then receive the rank of Second Lieutenant and are placed on Inactive Duty pending completion of law school. Upon graduation, students must take the first scheduled bar exam in any state, and must report LSAT scores of 150+. After passing the bar, students enter the Basic School--a six-month intensive basic training for the Marine Corps, then join JAG Corps members from the Navy at the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. Students are then assigned their first duty station. The second option for entering the Marine JAG Corps is through the OCC-Law program, which is open to licensed attorneys, who must have completed law school, passed a state bar, and earned a 150+ on the LSAT.

Who is Alison Monahan?

Alison Monahan wrote about legal careers for The Balance Careers. She is a lawyer and founder of The Girl's Guide to Law School. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps), which encompasses the career path for military lawyers, has been popularized by the television show JAG, the film A Few Good Men, and a host of other pop cultural ...

What is the JAG Corps?

Alison Monahan. Updated February 06, 2019. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps), which encompasses the career path for military lawyers, has been popularized by the television show JAG, the film A Few Good Men, and a host of other pop cultural touchstones. If you're looking to serve your country as a lawyer, consider the JAG Corps.

What is a JAG?

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law. The chief attorney in each branch is the Judge Advocate General, and those under him or her are considered to be Judge Advocates. These individuals both defend and prosecute military personnel, using the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

What is the UCMJ?

The UCMJ is a detailed body of law that has governed the U.S. armed forces since 1951. The UCMJ was modestly updated in 2008, to incorporate changes made by the President (via executive orders) and to include the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2006 and 2007. The UCMJ differs from traditional law, in that the military uses it to enforce itself, as if it were its own jurisdiction.

When was the UCMJ updated?

The UCMJ is a detailed body of law that has governed the U.S. armed forces since 1951. The UCMJ was modestly updated in 2008, to incorporate changes made by the President (via executive orders) and to include the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2006 and 2007.

Responsibilities

The JAG Corps is ideal for young lawyers looking to expand their career opportunities and gain hands-on legal experience.

Work Environment

In this profession, you’ll find opportunities to work around the globe. Depending on your role, you may spend time in an office environment, on a ship, or visiting bases and other installations both foreign and domestic.

Training & Advancement

Officers appointed to the JAG Corps must first attend Officer Development School (ODS) – a five-week course in Newport, RI, that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of being a Navy Staff Corps Officer.

Education Opportunities

As a JAG Corps Officer, you’ll have paid opportunities for postgraduate legal education at civilian institutions or military graduate schools. You’ll also have access to general educational benefits that include:

Qualifications & Requirements

A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor in the Legal Support field in the Navy. Those seeking a Legalman should have good speaking and writing skills, excellent hearing, attention to detail, and typing skills.

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Who Is Eligible

  • To be eligible for the Student Program (SP) with the Navy JAG Corps, you must: 1. be a United States citizen of good moral character; 2. be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin active duty; 3. have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or GRE; 4. be a law student with at least one year of school completed, attending an American B...
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How It Works

  • Becoming a judge advocate is a two phase process. The first phase is to apply for a Professional Recommendation to become a judge advocate. If you are Professionally Recommended you then apply for a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Once accepted into the program, SP participants continue law school until graduation and take the first bar examination after law sc…
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Application Deadlines

  • Submission deadline for all application materials AND the completion of your structured interview is October 1, 2021. Structured Interviews must be requested by September 16, 2021. Make sure to read the application guide and checklist linked above before submitting your application. If you have questions, please visit FAQ/Contact. Back to Topics
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Application Process

  • Student Program applicants can apply to both the Fall and Spring accession boards, as both a 2L and a 3L—there is no limit on how often you can apply. Application materials are not kept after selection decisions are final, so if you want to be reconsidered, you must reapply. Submitting an application doesn't mean you joined the Navy. Applicants are under no obligation whatsoever un…
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Selection Board Process

  • Once applications are received, the accessions office completes a full review of all applications for completeness and ensures each applicant is eligible. The completed packages of all eligible applicants are then reviewed by a board of senior active duty judge advocates. The board typically takes place 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. The final selection of professionally recom…
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Commissioning

  • Phase Two: U.S. Navy Commissioning Screening If your application is selected, you will be considered Professionally Recommended for a commission and begin Phase Two. In Phase Two, the final screening and commissioning of applicants is conducted by Navy Recruiting Command. During this phase the following will occur: Back to Topics
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Apply

  • If selected, you are recommended for a commission with the U.S. Navy. You will have time to decide if you wish to join and move forward with a JAG Corps program. If you accept the commission, you will sign an “Oath and Acceptance of Office.” 1. If you were selected under the Student Program, you will be commissioned as an Ensign in the inactive Navy Reserves (non-pai…
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Officer Development School

  • Before becoming a Navy judge advocate, you must become an officer first. You will not undergo basic training in the traditional sense, but will attend Officer Development School(ODS) in Newport, RI. 1. ODS is a five-week course of instruction designed to acquaint newly commissioned staff corps officers with the customs and traditions of the naval s...
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Naval Justice School

  • The Naval Justice School(NJS) in Newport, RI provides intensive instruction to officers in the fundamental principles of military justice, civil and administrative law, and procedure, with practical application of those principals. 1. NJS students attend the Basic Lawyer Course and, upon successful completion of this course, become certified as Navy judge advocates. The cour…
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First Tour Judge Advocate Program

  • Throughout your first two years as a Navy judge advocate, you will rotate between the three major areas of services: legal assistance, command services, and military justice.
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Who Is Eligible

  • To be eligible for appointment in the Navy JAG Corps DA Program, you must: 1. be a United States citizen of good moral character; 2. be younger than 42 years of age at time of commissioning; 3. be a graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); 4. be admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court o...
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How It Works

  • Becoming a judge advocate is a two phase process. The first phase is to apply for a Professional Recommendation to become a judge advocate. If you are Professionally Recommended you then apply for a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Once accepted into the program, DA participants begin their Navy training. DA participants first attend the five-week Navy Officer Dev…
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Application Deadlines

  • Submission deadline for all application materials AND the completion of your structured interview is February 19, 2021 If you have questions about the application process, please visit FAQ/Contact. Back to Topics
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Application Process

  • Direct Appointment applicants can apply multiple times—there is no limit on how often you can apply. Application materials are not kept after selection decisions are final, so if you want to be reconsidered, you must reapply. Submitting an application doesn't mean you joined the Navy. Applicants are under no obligation whatsoever until they are offered and accept a commission …
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