how to become a marine corps lawyer

by Jordyn Beahan 10 min read

  • Graduate Law Program. Students must join an AFROTC detachment during their first semester of law school. ...
  • One-Year College Program. Students must join an AFROTC detachment during the first semester of their second year of law school. ...
  • Direct Appointment Program. ...

Full Answer

Can I become a lawyer after leaving the Marine Corps?

Although you will not leave the Marine Corps with a law degree, the training and experience you receive in the military will prepare you well for civilian employment. Former MOS 4421 that wish to become lawyers will need to continue their education in law school.

How do I become a legal services specialist in the Marines?

In order to qualify for an Marine Corps Legal Services Specialist (MOS 4421) you must score General Technical (GT): 100 or higher on the ASVAB. Aspiring Legal Services Specialists must also score Clerical (CL): 105 or higher.

How can I join the military as a lawyer?

The first is for law students to apply to the JAG Corps upon completion of law school. Applicants must have passed the bar exam, and must be prepared to enter Officer Training. The second path is for licensed and experienced attorneys to join the armed forces.

How do I become a marine Judge Advocate?

All Marine Judge Advocates are unrestricted Marine Corps Officers. There are several paths to pursue a commission and ultimately serve as a Judge Advocate whether you are an undergraduate, law school student or licensed attorney.

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Will the Marine Corp pay for law school?

WILL THE MARINE CORPS PAY FOR LAW SCHOOL? Although programs do exist whereby active duty Marine officers are ordered to attend law school, drawing full pay and allowances while tuition is paid by the Marine Corps, no similar program is available to officers who enter the Marine Corps via the OCC(LAW) or PLC(LAW).

Can a Marine be a lawyer?

There are several different programs that the Marine Corps uses to select Marine lawyers, but the majority of candidates commission as Marine Corps officers through the Platoon Leaders Course – Law. This program is for individuals who have been selected as officer candidates, but have not yet graduated from law school.

How do you become a JAG lawyer in the Marines?

JUDGE ADVOCATE REQUIREMENTS The Marine Corps Judge Advocate program accepts applicants at all stages of legal education. Applicants should possess a competitive LSAT, competitive undergraduate and law school GPA, and must be admitted to or enrolled in a full-time Juris Doctorate program at an ABA-accredited law school.

What is a Marine Corps lawyer called?

Marine Corps judge advocates, or JAs, are licensed attorneys who are also commissioned officers in the Marine Corps.

Is being a JAG worth it?

By becoming a JAG, you are guaranteed a career that has rotating assignments by location and practice area, exposing you to the world and the law in ways you could have never imagined. It provides unrivaled practical and hands-on experience to springboard your career.

How hard is it to become a 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).

Does JAG Corps pay 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.

How much do marine JAGs make?

Judge advocates earn the title “Marine,” while using their legal expertise in support of America's finest. The salary for this position varies based on location, but is generally between $60,764 and $85,848 upon completion of entry-level training, and up to $101,799 after two years of service.

Do JAGs see combat?

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.

Do JAG officers go through basic training?

Military officers, including JAG lawyers, do not undertake the same bootcamp-style basic training as enlistees, but they must complete an officer basic course that teaches military protocols and includes physical fitness training.

Can you go to law school while in the military?

And the Army is willing to pay the law school tuition, with the help of the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Officers selected for FLEP attend a civilian law school of their choice, for three years of legal studies, while remaining on active duty with full pay and benefits.

What rank do JAG officers start at?

New Army Judge Advocates enter service as First Lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to Captain (O-3) six to nine months later. Officers receive a raise in basic pay upon promotion to Captain and receive automatic pay increases after serving 2, 3, and 4 years.

What is a Marine Corps legal services specialist?

An Marine Corps Legal Services Specialist (MOS 4421) is the military equivalent of a paralegal or legal secretary. Starting your legal career with the Marine Corps can lead to civilian employment after finishing your service.

What is the role of a legal services chief in the Marine Corps?

Legal Services Chiefs are directly responsible to the Marine Corps for the overall assignment, performance, training, counseling, discipline, morale, and welfare of all enlisted personnel in the department.

What is boot camp for Marines?

The intention of boot camp is to prepare Marines for the lifestyle and culture of serving the military. Once you complete basic training you will progress to focus on your MOS.

What are the benefits of being a Marine?

The Marine Corps offers several additional benefits to soldiers along with monthly pay: 1 Medical Insurance 2 Affordable Life Insurance 3 Vacation Time 4 Special Pay 5 Retirement 6 Education: Marines can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses. 7 Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance. 8 Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.

How many words per minute do you need to type to be a Marine?

Marines must have the ability to type at least 35 words per minute. You can test your typing skills on the internet and use free programs to improve typing skills if you are not yet reaching 35 WPM.

What are Marine Corps assignments?

According to the Marine Corps Legal Services Training and Readiness Manual, typical assignments include: Research, preparation, and typing of general correspondence, forms, reports, wills, powers of attorney, and other documents dealing with legal and quasi-legal matters.

What is the most important skill to learn as a legal services specialist?

Organization is another important skill you will learn as an Legal Services Specialist since military personnel must check completed work for typos and organize files on a consistent basis. The only area of legal administration a Legal Services Specialist is not involved in is court-martial reporting.

PLC Law Program

PLC-Law is the largest commissioning source for Marine Corps judge advocates and is the main effort of the MCRC law recruiting mission.

Program Manager Updates

15 November 2021 All informational updates to the pool of commissioned Student Judge Advocates awaiting accession to active duty will posted on our LinkedIn page. If you are a commissioned Student Judge Advocate, please request access to the group in order to receive updates.

What Does it Mean to be a Military Lawyer

Before we jump into the detailed steps of becoming a military lawyer, let’s take a closer look at what becoming a military lawyer entails. Military lawyers are sometimes also referred to as military attorneys.

What are the Steps to Become a Military Lawyer

To be a valid applicant, you must be a U.S citizen. Then, you need to pass a security clearance, which investigates your history, particularly regarding finances, health, and substance abuse. Plus, you need to pass the physical fitness requirements for your military branch of choice. Finally, make sure that you meet the age requirement: 42.

Conclusion

With that, you have gone through the 10 steps on how to become a military lawyer. Was this article informative and helpful? Hopefully, you now have an idea of what you need to do to be a military lawyer. If there’s anything else you’d like to share or add, leave a comment below!

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