how to become an air force lawyer

To get a direct appointment as an attorney with the Air Force, you must have graduated with a Juris Doctor (or be close to graduation) from a law school approved by the American Bar Association.

Full Answer

How do you become an Air Force JAG lawyer?

If selected, you must complete and pass an Air Force medical examination and obtain admission to practice in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia before an offer of assignment will be extended to you. You do not incur a service commitment until you accept your JAG assignment.

What can you do with an air force law degree?

As a member of this elite group of law professionals, you’ll provide a full range of legal services to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, and Guardians.

How to become a lawyer in the military?

Army ROTC is probably the most certain way to become a lawyer in the Armed Services. There are two different routes for Army ROTC to become a lawyer: Active duty with educational delay: during the fourth year in Army ROTC, a cadet can request an educational delay to attend law school before going on active duty.

How do I become an Air Force officer?

Requirement01Qualifying Test* Anyone striving to be an Air Force Officer must pass the Air Force Qualifying Test—a multiple choice test with topics ranging from verbal and math skills to questions covering specific fields of interest. This test can only be taken twice, so it’s essential to study and prepare wisely.

Can you become a lawyer while in the Air Force?

If you're currently active duty in the Air Force or any of the armed forces, there are many ways you can go to law school and get on track to become a JAG. Whether you're finishing your service commitment or in the middle of it, there is an entry program designed for you.

Will the Air Force pay for law school?

Does the Air Force JAG Corps pay for law school? The Air Force JAG Corps currently does not offer scholarships to pay for law school. The Air Force, however, offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty.

Can you join the military to become a lawyer?

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.

How much does a JAG make in the Air Force?

Air Force JAG salary starts at $3,850.50 per month in base pay, which translates to $46,206 annually. Air Force benefits include a housing allowance adjusted for local cost of living, medical and dental benefits, and 30 days of paid vacation a year.

How hard is it to get into JAG?

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.

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 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.

What rank is a lawyer in the Army?

Coast Guard lawyers start at the highest rank, O-3. Marine, Air Force and Navy military lawyers start at the rank of O-2, and Army lawyers start at the rank of O-1.

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.

Do Air Force JAGs get deployed?

JAG Corps Airmen perform most of their work at legal offices located at Air Force installations and deployed locations around the world.

What happens after 4 years in the Air Force?

We can only carry out our mission with the efforts and commitment of our Airmen. That's why we continue to help them grow with advanced training, ongoing career opportunities and excellent pay and benefits....$1,785.00.YearsBenefit4 years$1,785.006 years$1,785.003 more rows

What benefits do you get after 4 years in the Air Force?

After you complete your initial four-year service obligation, you can qualify for a retention program that allows the service to pay you up to $60,000 if you stay with the Air Force. Sign up for another two years after your initial four-year commitment and you receive $20,000.

How long does it take to become a JAG?

The first is the Direct Commissioned Course (DCC) Phase--a six-week basic training for JAGs in Fort Benning, Georgia. The second is the Charlottesville Phase, which is a 10.5-week officer’s course at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, at the University of Virginia. Those who complete the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Training Course then enter Active Duty for a required four years.

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.

Can you go to law school as a JAG?

The third option is for Active Duty military members to go on to law school and return to Active Duty as a JAG Corps officers. The fourth option is for experienced attorneys to work part-time with the Air Force JAG Corps, while maintaining their civilian jobs.

What is the job of a military lawyer?

Monitor, coordinate and direct legal activities. Prepare legal advice and opinions. Represent the United States in civil proceedings. Act as trial counsel, defense counsel or military judge as-needed. Instruct personnel in military justice procedures and legal issues.

What is 51JX in the Air Force?

51JX. The pursuit of justice is at the center of every Air Force objective. So the rights of Airmen are naturally held in the highest regard and are defended and supported by top legal minds like Air Force Judge Advocates (JAG).

BECOMING A JAG

As a member of this elite group of law professionals, you’ll provide a full range of legal services to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, and Guardians.

JAG BENEFITS

THE STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM WILL REPAY UP TO $65,000 OF YOUR STUDENT LOANS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unless you grew up in a JAG or Air Force family, it’s likely you have many questions about the program and life in the Air Force. A lot of those questions are answered here, but please feel free to contact us at 1-800-JAG-USAF or airforcejagrecruiting@gmail.com with any specific inquiries.

What is a military lawyer?

The lawyers in this system are military officers who are known as Judge Advocates. They are responsible for maintaining cases and advising service members on legal issues. Although all potential candidates must be in law school or have graduated, each branch of service has its own process to becoming a Judge Advocate.

What are the options for the Air Force?

The Air Force has four entry options that are for: Students. Licensed attorneys. Active duty military. Air Force Reserves. The first option requires that students be on track to graduate or have recently graduated from an ABA-approved law school.

Can a judge advocate work part time in the army?

Both have to go through the same process, however, the Army Reserves allows Judge Advocates to maintain their civilian jobs while working part time with the Army. To apply for the JAG Corps, an application must be submitted, and an interview must be conducted with an Army Judge Advocate.

When do you have to submit your application for the Air Force?

You must submit all application materials online on or before the 10th of the month (i.e., January 10) prior to the board meeting. In addition to your online application, you must schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system.

What are the qualifications to become a jg?

QUALIFICATIONS. If you have completed your second year of law school or have completed two-thirds of your degree requirements, you may apply for a direct appointment as a JAG. Applicant requirements. Must be a citizen of the United States.

When do GLP cadets go to law school?

GLP cadets typically attend the field training course in the summer between their first and second year of law school or between their second and third year of law school. Upon completion of AFROTC program and graduation from law school, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in inactive status.

What is the best way to become a military lawyer?

Research military legal education programs. If you are seeking a career as a military attorney, there are special programs that may help you with admission, completion, and even funding of your legal education. The Army offers a highly-competitive summer internship to second-year law students.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What are the requirements to graduate from law school?

Most schools require that you graduate with a minimum 2.0 grade point average in your legal coursework.

What is an educational delay law degree?

The Educational Delay Law Program is a three- year program for officers commissioned through AFROTC who want to delay their entry onto extended active duty in order to pursue a law degree. Applicants are not guaranteed positions as Air Force Judge Advocates and must compete for selection for entry into the Educational Delay Program (Educational Delay – In) and for entry onto active duty as Judge Advocates (Educational Delay – Out). However, there is a high probability that an Air Force ROTC Educational Delay officer WILL BE assessed into the JAG Corps. The JAG Corps does not award any scholarships for participation in the Educational Delay Program.

What is the educational delay for a second lieutenant?

If a cadet receives admission to an accredited law school, the educational delay is almost always granted. Once a candidate commissions as a second lieutenant, he/she would serve in the individual ready reserve (IRR) as he/she completes law school. Once the officer completes law school and obtains the bar for any of the 50 States, ...

Can a cadet be on active duty with an educational delay?

Active duty with educational delay: during the fourth year in Army ROTC, a cadet can request an educational delay to attend law school before going on active duty. If a cadet receives admission to an accredited law school, the educational delay is almost always granted.

Can you become a lawyer in the army?

Overall, Army ROTC is probably the most certain route to becoming a lawyer in the Armed Services and also has the possibility of serving as a lawyer in the Army Reserve or National Guard. If accepted to an accredited law school, it is pretty much guaranteed that an Army ROTC cadet will receive an educational delay. They will almost certainly be accessed as a JAG lawyer either on active duty or in the reserves.

Is the Air Force restricted to law school?

The Air Force route is somewhat restricted by the need to compete for an educational delay and the fact that is small part of the overall mission for the Air Force JAG each year. In addition, to be most competitive for law school, an Air Force ROTC scholarship candidate would need to secure a non-technical scholarship which is less likely ...

Can a JAG lawyer join the National Guard?

Accession as a JAG lawyer in the Army Reserve or National Guard is certain and the officer would finish out his/her service obligation as an Army Reserve or National Guard lawyer.

Can Navy midshipmen go to law school?

However, once accepted for an educational delay, the probability for accession into the Air Force JAG Corps is high. The Navy currently does not have a way for Navy midshipmen to attend law school after commissioning.

How many times can you take the Air Force Qualifying Test?

This test can only be taken twice, so it’s essential to study and prepare wisely.

When are the Air Force selection boards held?

No one factor can cause selection or rejection. Selection boards are typically held biannually in February and August. However, the 2021 selection boards for Air Force and Space Force, including all programs, are completed for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Who reviews officer applications?

Every officer application is reviewed by either the Officer Training School Selection Board or Air Force Recruiting Services , depending on your path and profession. Each committee evaluates both objective and subjective factors to determine if a candidate is a proper fit. No one factor can cause selection or rejection.

Can you enter the delayed entry program in the Air Force?

Once you’ve passed all the necessary requirements and are accepted into the Air Force, you’ll enter the Delayed Entry Program while you wait for your departure date to either Officer Training School or—for medical, legal and ministry professionals—Commissioned Officer Training.

What Is The Jag Corps?

The UCMJ

How Does One Join The Jag Corps?

• There are two main paths lawyers may take to join the JAG Corps. 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. Such candidates must lik...

See more on thebalancecareers.com

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marine Corps

Coast Guard