how to become a navy jag lawyer

by Kira Wyman 6 min read

  • Applicants must be a citizen of the United States.
  • JAG candidates must be able to pass a security clearance. The security clearance procedure will investigate your allegiance to the United States, any ties with foreign governments, criminal history, substance ...
  • If you are interested in becoming a JAG attorney, you must start your studies so that you will be licensed to practice law and ready for entry into active duty ...
  • You must be able to meet all the physical fitness requirements for your chosen branch of the military.

How to become a JAG lawyer in the military?

How to Become a JAG Lawyer. 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.

How long does it take to become a Navy JAG officer?

From there, Navy JAG Corps Officers attend Naval Justice School, a 10-week course that teaches the fundamentals of military justice, civil law, trial advocacy skills, administrative law and investigations, legal assistance, and national security law. Once you’ve completed training, you’ll receive your first assignment.

Can a second year law student go to the Navy JAG?

First year law students are eligible to apply. Students interested in the Navy JAG program can apply to The Navy JAG Corps' Student Program. Second year law students who are accepted into the program are commissioned in the inactive Navy Reserve and can transition straight from law school to the Naval Officer Development School.

Why join the Navy as a lawyer?

The legal world is ultra-competitive, and if you’ve ever imagined such a career for yourself, you know getting your foot in the door can be a big challenge. The Navy sets you up for success with hands-on experience that will take you across the world and put you ahead of your peers.

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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 the Navy JAG Corps pay for law school?

Successful applicants to the Navy JAG Corps Student Program (SP) are commissioned as inactive reserve ensigns (ENS) during law school. Inactive reserve officers do not receive pay or allowances while in law school.

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. 1.

How many years does it take to become a JAG?

THE ONE-YEAR COLLEGE PROGRAM Become a JAG right after graduation, guaranteed. The One-Year College Program (OYCP) assures you a position as a JAG upon successful completion of a one-year AFROTC program, law school and legal licensing requirements.

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.

Is Navy JAG competitive?

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

Is being a JAG stressful?

For some JAGs, this is an insanely stressful but incomparably rewarding experience. For others, it's just insanely stressful. Deployments can cause divorces, missed births of first-born children, missed NFL seasons, and just an overall miserable six months to a year of your life.

Do JAGs go to bootcamp?

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.

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.

How much do Navy Jags make?

Salary Ranges for Navy Jag Corps The salaries of Navy Jag Corps in the US range from $10,518 to $211,773 , with a median salary of $38,846 . The middle 57% of Navy Jag Corps makes between $38,846 and $96,438, with the top 86% making $211,773.

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.

What is life like as a Navy JAG?

Live life to the fullest - The Navy promotes a culture where family, friends, leisure, fitness, and work are all part of an officer's life and well-being. Take time - With the Navy JAG Corps you will work hard but with 30 days of paid vacation a year, you are encouraged to make time for yourself.

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 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 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 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:

Who Is Eligible

To be eligible for the Student Program (SP) with the Navy JAG Corps, you must:

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.

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.

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.

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.

COMMISSIONING

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:

How to Apply

Student Program: Are you a law student interested in full-time employment?

SELECT YOUR SITUATION BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT WHICH PROGRAMS YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR

Student Program: Are you a law student interested in full-time employment?

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Apply

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 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 March 10, 2022. Structured Interviews must be requested by March 2, 2022. 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…
See more on jag.navy.mil

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…
See more on jag.navy.mil

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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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...
See more on jag.navy.mil

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…
See more on jag.navy.mil

Application Deadlines

  • The Spring Direct Appointment Board application deadline is March 10, 2022. If you have questions about the application process, please visit FAQ/Contact. Back to Topics
See more on jag.navy.mil

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 …
See more on jag.navy.mil