how to become a naval lawyer

To be eligible for appointment in the Navy JAG Corps DA Program, you must:

• be a United States citizen of good moral character;
• be younger than 42 years of age at time of commissioning;
• If applicant is over 42 years of age, a waiver may be authorized. ...
• be a graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA);

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Full Answer

What are the requirements to become a navy lawyer?

See Application Process for details. be a graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); be admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court of a State, Territory or Commonwealth or the District of Columbia; and meet the physical and medicalrequirements for commission in the Navy.

Can you go to Law School in the Navy?

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.

How do you become a Judge Advocate in the Navy?

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 school.

How do I become a military attorney?

Becoming a military attorney combines two careers. As an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps, you have the duties, respect, and career opportunities of an officer while providing high quality legal services to active duty servicemen and woman around the world.

Does Navy pay law school?

‐ Funded Graduate Education: As part of the culture of learning that the Navy JAG Corps fosters, Navy judge advocates have the opportunity to earn a Master of Law (LL. M.) degree fully‐funded by the Navy.

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).

What rank is a Navy lawyer?

Currently, the JAG is appointed as a three-star vice admiral or lieutenant general while holding office and the DJAG is currently appointed as a two-star rear admiral or a major general.

What is a lawyer in the Navy called?

Navy Reserve Lawyers & Paralegals.

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.

Do military lawyers 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.

Is Navy JAG competitive?

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

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law.

Is JAG Navy only?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, is the military justice branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called judge advocates.

What do lawyers in the Navy do?

We provide the legal expertise necessary to conduct military operations worldwide. We also support the Navy as a whole by providing legal advice for programs such as recruiting, training, and organization. The American people expect the highest standards of personal and professional conduct from their armed forces.

Can I join the military and go to law school?

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.

Where is Navy JAG training?

Newport, RINew judge advocates first attend the five-week Navy Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. After ODS, new judge advocates then report to their permanent duty stations for approximately two months. They will then proceed to the ten-week Basic Lawyer Course at Naval Justice School (NJS), also in Newport, RI.

How much is the Navy JAG Corps retention bonus?

Retention Bonuses: Navy JAG Corps Officers are currently eligible for a total of $60,000 in retention bonuses paid over three installments at different career milestones that Officers can use to pay off their student debt.

What is the Navy JAG Corps?

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:

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:

How long is the Navy JAG training?

Officers appointed to the JAG Corps must first attend Officer Development School (ODS), a five-week course in Newport, RI, that provides a comprehensive introduction to Navy Staff Corps Officer responsibilities. From there, Navy JAG Corps Officers attend Naval Justice School, a 10-week course that teaches the fundamentals of military justice, ...

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.

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:

How it Works

Applicants must take the LSAT and apply to law school. Applicants are encouraged to apply to more than one school, but must apply to at least one law school in which they are eligible for in-state tuition and one school that is close to the officer's current duty station.

Application Process

The selection board meets in February of each year. Selected officers are typically notified in March.

LT Jonah Hein

"As a surface warfare officer, I watched judge advocates advise my commanders on operational issues and provide critical legal assistance to my sailors. I applied to the Law Education Program so that, through the lens of my operational experience, I could provide similar legal services to the Fleet."

How to become a JAG?

To qualify for enlistment into the JAG Corps of any branch and practice law in the military, you must pass the bar exam. You may take the exam in any of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. While it is not required, you should strongly consider taking the bar exam in the same state you attended law school.

What degree do you need to join the JAG Corps?

Dept. of Education. College ROTC programs, such as the Air Force Graduate Law Program, may assist you, both with finances and motivation, to complete the education you need to join the JAG Corps.

How to become a JAG lawyer?

To become a JAG lawyer, you'll need to go to law school and attend the Officer Candidate School, which is the training academy for prospective military officers. You must also be a US citizen, pass a security clearance, and meet the physical requirements for the branch of the military you choose.

What branches of the military can you join with a law degree?

With a law degree and admittance to a state bar, you are eligible to seek enlistment and induction into the JAG Corps of all branches of the United States military including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

How long does it take to take the LSAT?

The Law School Aptitude Test, often referred to as the LSAT, is a critical part of your law school admissions package. The five-section LSAT is multiple choice and you have 35 minutes to complete each section.

What is a JAG in the military?

The Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps of the five military branches is as competitive and demanding as any military career. Along with completing the educational and licensing requirements of the legal profession, you must also be able to meet the same standards as any prospective officer.

How often are bar exams administered?

States may also add state-specific essay tests to the array of multistate tests. Bar exams are typically administered twice a year with the results released about 10 weeks after the test. ...

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

Application Deadlines

Application Process

Selection Board Process

Commissioning

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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

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