what is it like as an air force lawyer

by Prof. Adam Rippin II 3 min read

How to become a military lawyer?

Feb 04, 2020 · They simply assist Air Force lawyers (known by the acronym JAG) by doing a lot of the “grunt” work. This includes things like: Case research and discovery Preparing case files Administrative tasks Drafting correspondence Calling clients and other lawyers Analyze court documents Requirements and Qualifications

What is an Air Force paralegal?

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. VIEW FULL FAQ. CAREER BROWSER.

Is the Air Force a hard life?

Some externs are assigned to Air Force headquarters in the Washington, D.C., area. If chosen for the National Capital Region, you will gain real-world experience in support of Air Force missions while learning from senior civilian and military Air Force …

Why should you become a JAG officer?

A career in the military is filled with opportunities. Pursuing your dreams of practicing law is one of them. 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.

image

What does an Air Force lawyer do?

These highly trained attorneys handle a wide variety of legal issues including international law, operations law, environmental law and military and civilian personnel issues. From trial preparation to post-trial actions, they provide important legal counsel every step of the way.

How much do Air Force JAG lawyers make?

How much does a JAG at US Air Force make? The typical US Air Force JAG salary is $84,742 per year. JAG salaries at US Air Force can range from $62,000 - $108,000 per year.

What is an Air Force lawyer called?

The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Air Force.

What branch of the military is best for lawyers?

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.Feb 6, 2019

What rank is a lawyer in the Air Force?

Military pay is also based on your time in the Air Force and your rank. Judge Advocates enter active duty as first lieutenants (O-2) and are promoted to captain (O-3) after six months. View the typical base pay for Air Force personnel.

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

Do 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.Nov 7, 2014

Is Air Force JAG competitive?

The JAG application process is competitive, rigorous, and highly selective. We evaluate each candidate using the "whole person" concept, which means we look at academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, and work and leadership experience.

Does Air Force JAG 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.

Does Air Force JAG get deployed?

JAG Corps Airmen perform most of their work at legal offices located at Air Force installations and deployed locations around the world.Oct 15, 2018

Is becoming 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 do you become a JAG lawyer in the Air Force?

QUALIFICATIONS. Licensed attorneys may apply for a direct appointment as a Judge Advocate. Once selected for the JAG Corps, all applicants must complete and pass an Air Force medical examination before an offer of assignment will be extended.

What does a paralegal do in the Air Force?

Air Force paralegals work in the department of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) and assist lawyers in providing legal counsel to key personal, such...

What ASVAB score do you need to be a paralegal in the Air Force?

To become a paralegal in the Air Force, you’ll need to score 51 in the General, which evaluates your word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and a...

How much do paralegals make in the Air Force?

Like all U.S. military members, Air Force paralegals are paid according to their time in grade and service. Currently, a new airman with the rank o...

Where is the Air Force paralegal tech school?

Tech school to become an Air Force paralegal is located at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and training lasts for 35 days.

Is the Air Force hard to get into?

The Air Force is one of the most difficult of the services to join because it has the best retention rate of all the branches. It also has one of t...

How to become a paralegal in the Air Force?

To become a paralegal in the Air Force, you’ll need to score 51 in the General, which evaluates your word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and arithmetic reasoning.

How long is the BMT in the Air Force?

Like every other job in the Air Force, paralegals must first complete basic training, otherwise known as BMT. BMT is 8 1/2 weeks long and is conducted exclusively at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.

How long does it take to become a paralegal?

This training is just over 1 month long, and throughout the training, you will learn things like: Legal claims and tort administration and investigation.

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.

DO THE JOB YOU WERE TRAINED TO DO

As a JAG, you’ll start practicing law right away for the most high-profile client you can imagine: your country. You’ll jump right in and start doing the work you love. Work you’ll feel proud about. Work that many attorneys strive to do their entire career.

THE DIRECT APPOINTMENT PROGRAM

You have a degree (or you will soon), and you’re ready to put your knowledge to work. As a JAG, you’ll have a fulfilling career from day one, with opportunities to practice law in various areas while working with a team of people who want you to succeed.

What are the requirements to become an Air Force officer?

Applicant requirements. Must be a citizen of the United States serving on extended active duty as an Air Force officer or enlisted member. Officer applicants must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below. Must have served on active duty for at least two, but not more than six years (including enlisted time), at the time their law school would begin.

What degree do you need to be a second lieutenant?

Must have graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. Enlisted selectees attend Officer Training School (OTS) and commission as second lieutenants during the summer before law school begins. Selectees begin their legal education in the fall of the year in which they are selected.

How many hours do you work in the Air Force?

Life in the Air Force requires hard work, but also allows time for your own pursuits. Typically, you can expect an eight-hour workday, leaving plenty of time to relax, recharge and do other things you enjoy once you change out of uniform. Airmen get 30 days vacation with pay each year to use at their discretion.

What are the benefits of being an airman?

As an Airman, you’ll receive good pay and a full package of benefits that keep cost of living extremely low. With excellent food and housing, insurance, recreation and retirement benefits, expect to be able to save a high percentage of your salary for future goals. WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

Why are the US armed forces important?

Being part of an organization whose purposes is to preserve peace and security, and also defend the US air space and its territories, you will be in a better place to serve your country.

Is the Air Force a military branch?

Armed Forces and one of the 7 American uniformed services, the Air Force is one of the most prestigious branches of the military.

image

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 likewise enter Officer Trai…
See more on thebalancecareers.com

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, …
See more on thebalancecareers.com

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 e…
See more on thebalancecareers.com

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 o...
See more on thebalancecareers.com

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 D…
See more on thebalancecareers.com

Coast Guard

  • Unlike the other military branches, there is only one way to enter the Coast Guard JAG Corps—as a Direct Commission Lawyer (DCL). Final year law students and licensed attorneys may enter the Coast Guard this way. After commissioning, they must attend the 4-5 week long Direct Commission Officer course in New London, Connecticut, before attending a ten-week Basic Law…
See more on thebalancecareers.com