what branch of the military should i join if i want to be a lawyer

by Lenora Hansen PhD 9 min read

The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law.Feb 6, 2019

Full Answer

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 to choose which branch of the military to join?

Your best bet is to visit a local recruiter for each branch of the military, and talk to them in depth about the various career opportunities. Hopefully this article informed you enough to make the right decision on which branch of the military you should join!

Is the Army a good place to go for Law School?

My sense has been that the Army has a real focus on officership. The Army also has excellent legal education programs at the Army JAG school. I worked years as an Army civilian attorney, and enjoyed every day of it.

Can a law student work in a military office?

The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard all have summer clerk programs, during which law students and (sometimes) college students can work in legal offices. I wouldn't be surprised if the USMC does this too; I just don't know.

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Can you be in 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.

What branches of the military will pay for law school?

The Army will cover the cost of law school for those who are qualified and looking to make an impact. Through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) and other JAG initiatives, you can achieve your dream of becoming a lawyer without the financial burden.

Is it hard to be a lawyer in the military?

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 does a lawyer have 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.

Will the Air Force send me to law school?

The Air Force, however, offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty. Under FLEP, commissioned officers and enlisted members on active duty may apply and be competitively selected to attend law school through the Air Force's funding.

Do Marines 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).

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 is an Army lawyer called?

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.

How do lawyers join the army?

Minimum of 55 percent in the LLB degree (three years as a professional after graduation or five years after passing the 10+2 stage). Candidates must be eligible to register as lawyers with the Bar Council of India/State. Applicants must have graduated from a Bar Council of India-approved college or university.

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 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.

How many lawyers are in the army?

Originally established on July 29, 1775 by General George Washington, it is our country's oldest and one of the largest law firms in the United States, employing more than 4,500 full and part time attorneys.

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!

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.

What is the JAG Corps?

This is made possible through the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) which is a governmental organization that is concerned with military law and military justice. The lawyers in this system are military officers who are known as Judge Advocates.

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.

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 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?

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 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. ...

A Sure-Fire Military Branch Quiz

It’s challenging to decide which branch is right for you. And the fact that you cannot change your service easily makes it even more difficult. However, the 20-question on this page can lend a hand with choosing your dream U.S. forces based on your likes/dislikes and skills.

Find out which branch you should join

The goal of the quiz is to help you find the right military force to join. So, that’s the first piece of useful information it offers. We’ve created a database of all six branches to find the perfect option for you. We have questions that lead you through picking the best service like a professional recruiter.

Discover why you suit a specific military branch

It’s crucial to know why a particular force is your best bet. That’s why the military branch quiz explains the reason behind each result. It helps you get your head around the idea and have your own analysis based on ours.

Get some tips on how to join your dream force

What happens after you decide which military branch to join? The quiz gives you some pieces of valuable information on what to do next and how to sign up. Each U.S. military service has its own recruiting process, although they overlap.

Things that the Military Branch Test Considers

How can we answer a big question like, “Which military branch should I join?” Well, the key is letting you create your own path. The quiz here is in self-report format. So, it’s more of a guided process to enable you to choose your branch. We consider the following factors to do so.

Know Your Options before the Military Branch Quiz

You get to choose between five Department of Defense and one Department of Homeland Security branch. It’s crucial to know what each of them is about prior to make any decision or taking online quizzes.

What does it mean to be a line officer in the Marines?

In the Coast Guard and the Marines, you are a Line Officer first--this means you may not be serving as a practicing lawyer on each of your assignments. You could actually wind up driving a ship or as an infantry officer. So, think about whether something like that appeals to you.

Can you serve as a JAG?

The other services (Army, Navy, Air Force) all centrally manage their JAGs as a Corps. This means Congress requires that you will never serve as something other than a JAG, unless The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) himself or herself specifically approves you to do that.

Does the Army have summer clerks?

The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard all have summer clerk programs, during which law students and (sometimes) college students can work in legal offices. I wouldn't be surprised if the USMC does this too; I just don't know. Many years ago I worked as a law clerk in several Coast Guard Headquarters legal offices.

1. The Army

The U.S. Army, founded in 1775, is the most senior branch in the military in order of precedence. This is also the largest branch. In 2020, there were roughly 1,005,725 soldiers in service.

2. The Air Force

This is the air service branch and is given the largest budget out of all five branches.

3. The Navy

This is the other branch – the maritime service branch, which is the third-largest in the U.S. military.

4. The Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is the maritime land service branch founded in 1834. It is often called the Marines.

5. The Coast Guard

This service branch is responsible for maintaining security, conducting search and rescue, and enforcing laws founded in 1967.

Which branch of the military is the least understood?

The US Coast Guard is the one branch of the military that is probably the least understood. Coast Guard cutter at sea in rough conditions. Image: Wikimedia.org. While most people don’t realize it, it actually is a branch of the US Military.

How long is Army Basic Training?

Army recruits are issued gear in their training. Officially known as Basic Combat Training (BCT), it’s comprised of 3 phases and lasts 10 weeks.

What is the Air National Guard?

Air Force National Guard units are essentially the military reserve force, as well as the militia Air Force, of each state. Air National Guard members in Louisiana.

Is there a quiz to join the military?

Joining the military can be one of the biggest decisions of your life, and no quiz will give you the full insight you need to make an informed decision. The purpose of this article is to help you get a better understanding of what it’s like to serve in each branch of the armed forces.

Is the Navy a good base?

It is commonly understood that within the military that the Navy has the best base locations in the US Armed Forces. Although there are minor exceptions , every Navy base is on a coast. So, if you want to serve and the beach life calls to you, consider joining the Navy. An aircraft carrier gets resupplied at sea.

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What Is The Jag Corps?

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The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military, concerned with military justice and military law. The chief attorney in each branch is the Judge Advocate General, and those under him or her are considered to be Judge Advocates. These individuals both defend and prosecute military personnel, using the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). JAG ...
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The UCMJ

  • The UCMJ is a detailed body of law that has governed the U.S. armed forces since 1951. The UCMJ was modestly updated in 2008, to incorporate changes made by the President (via executive orders) and to include the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2006 and 2007. The UCMJ differs from traditional law, in that the military uses it to enforce itself, as if it were its own jurisdiction.
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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 likewise enter Officer Training. From there, each branch differs as follows:
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Army

  • Entry into the Army JAG Corps (founded by George Washington in 1775) occurs through Direct Commission. Commissioned individuals enter the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Training Course, which is split into two phases. 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 G…
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Navy

  • To become an officer in the JAG Corpsin the Navy, this branch of the military must offer hopefuls a commission, after which time they enter Officer Development School (ODS), where they receive the rank of Ensign, and their active duty pay and benefits begin. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, ODS is specifically tailored to those entering the Navy as officers. Once completed, candidates enter Naval Justice School, to learn the UCMJ and the specifi…
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Air Force

  • The Air Force has four different entry programs into the JAG Corp. The first is the student option, where candidates apply as either a 1L or 2L, and commit to completing Active Duty as a member of the JAG Corps after graduating law school and passing the bar. The second program entails licensed attorneys directly entering the JAG Corps. The third option is for Active Duty military members to go on to law school and return to Active Duty …
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Marine 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, student…
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