how to become a navy lawyer

by Iva Fisher 7 min read

If you are looking to become a JAG lawyer in the U.S. Navy, you must have completed law school, be admitted to the bar of either a federal court or the highest state court and be an officer in the Navy. Then, you must complete the two phases of selection, a professional recommendation and a Navy commission application.

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);

Full Answer

What is it like to be a lawyer in the Navy?

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.

How do I become a Navy JAG?

Apr 25, 2020Ā Ā· 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; be a graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); Click to see full answer. People also ask, does Navy JAG pay for law school? Successful ā€¦

How do I become a Navy officer?

Meet any additional basic requirements for commission in the Navy. Direct Appointment Program. 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.

What does it mean to be a military attorney?

Feb 08, 2021Ā Ā· After ODS, individuals will go to the Basic Lawyer Course at Naval Justice School onboard Naval Station Newport. This is a ten-week course that trains the fundamentals of military law and relevant civil law. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit the Navy website. RELATD: Navy Education Programs.

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Will the Navy pay for law school?

ā€ 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 fullyā€funded by the Navy.Oct 10, 2020

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.

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.

What do lawyers in the Navy do?

The Navy JAG Corps supports military personnel and their families by providing legal assistance services. Additionally, we provide legal assistance for Wounded Warriors and assist active duty personnel through all stages of the disability evaluation system.

Is it hard to get into JAG Corps?

Depending on the service branch, the acceptance rate for JAG Corps applicants is typically between 4-7%. The Army, for instance, receives about 4000 applications every year and only accepts around 200.May 9, 2017

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 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

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).

Is JAG free for military?

Every military legal assistance office provides free legal assistance to eligible personnel regardless of his or her branch of service. For example, a Marine can obtain legal assistance from an Army JAG, just as a soldier can receive legal assistance from a Marine JAG.Dec 3, 2020

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.Sep 10, 2021

How much does a Navy Legalman make?

US Navy Salary FAQs The average salary for a Legalman is $52,522 per year in United States, which is 26% lower than the average US Navy salary of $71,246 per year for this job.Feb 23, 2022

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

seven yearsIt usually takes seven years to become a lawyer, including four years of undergraduate study and three years of law school. However, many people choose to get a job in the legal field before applying to law school in order to strengthen their application.Feb 23, 2021

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 partiā€¦
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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 3Lā€”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 unā€¦
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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 recomā€¦
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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 ā€œOath and Acceptance of Office.ā€ 1. If you were selected under the Student Program, you will be commissioned as an Ensign in the inactive Navy Reserves (non-pā€¦
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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 service. ODS is lā€¦
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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 courā€¦
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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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