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shintopig wrote:So the Army is only doing one board this time around, meaning they're only doing a Fall 2014, board and no Spring 2015 board.

Any prior service, previous applications etc. know what this means as far as acceptance numbers go? Bottom line: Are they going to accept all their JAs (~100-120 I think) for FY14 all in the Fall 2014 board, or are they accepting the usual half (~60-65) for FY14 and but no more afterwards.

I think the Army has only done one board for the past few years. As far as numbers are concerned, I don't know about every class - but our acceptance rate last year was around 9%. If I remember correctly, I think we had a total of 108 accepted (including alternates), from over 900 applicants. I could be wrong because that's what I remember from the top of my head, but I could check. I can't speculate as to what that means as far as numbers are concerned for those who are awaiting decisions for the FY15 board. However, I assume that all of their acceptances will be made in the fall board.

On the Navy application regarding letters of recommendation, they say "Letters should be addressed to the 'President of the JAGC Accessions Board'." Anyone know if it's a big deal to not have recommenders specifically address their letters this way?

It seems nit picky, but I guess that it is the Navy. I have a couple of really good, but generic, letters of recommendation. I understand the thought that specifically addressed letters sound better to the reader, but I'm really wondering if it's necessary for me to call up an 0-6 to ask him to change "To Whom it May Concern" to "To the President of the JAGC Accessions Board".

FYI for AF applicants...here are the results of the latest Force Shaping board the AF conducted. Of interest to you might be the number of JAG officers trimmed from the force (either by TERA (early retirement), VSP (voluntary separation program), or RIF (Reduction in Force...i.e. fired)). Unfortunately, the JAG career field data doesn't break down the numbers by each category of reduction, but based on the proportion of junior officers to senior officers, statistically the majority likely came from VSP and RIF.

I suppose you could look at this two ways...1) the AF has trimmed the JAG ranks to make room for younger JAGs and will need more new JAGs to enter the pipeline, or 2) the JAG career field is overmanned which drove the reduction and it may be slow going for new applicants. Not saying base your application decision on either one. Regardless, AF personnel levels and hiring are often very dynamic. Just food for thought.

On a different note, I'm not a JAG but I've been in the AF for over 8 years, been stationed at 6 different bases, and deployed twice. I'm happy to answer any AF-life questions you have. And if I don't know the answer, I likely know someone who does and I can find out for you.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/mili ... /19275995/

Rambo152 wrote:On the Navy application regarding letters of recommendation, they say "Letters should be addressed to the 'President of the JAGC Accessions Board'." Anyone know if it's a big deal to not have recommenders specifically address their letters this way?

It seems nit picky, but I guess that it is the Navy. I have a couple of really good, but generic, letters of recommendation. I understand the thought that specifically addressed letters sound better to the reader, but I'm really wondering if it's necessary for me to call up an 0-6 to ask him to change "To Whom it May Concern" to "To the President of the JAGC Accessions Board".

This is my personal opinion, not that of the Navy. The LOR section doesn't really differentiate people. The board understands that if you ask someone to write a letter of recommendation, it is generally going to be good. You can screw it up if you only have letters from your friends, but the lack of "President JAGC Accessions Board" is no big deal. The members understand that many applicants apply to all the services at once.

lawhaze wrote:Are other Army AD applicants' application statuses still listed as "Under Completeness Review"? I know this question is asked every year, but I'd like to see what the current situation is.

Update: My status changed to "Pending Board Decision" on 25 November 2014. To those whose applications statuses haven't yet switched, JARO told me not to worry unless you're contacted re incompleteness.

Best of luck to all!

I'm a 2L at a T25 school who was accepted into the Air Force Graduate Legal Program (GLP) this past February. I'm happy to answer any questions about the application process, applying as a 1L, going through AFROTC, etc. It's so hard to find good information about JAG anywhere, I know the struggle!

Last summer I did the Navy internship at HQ in DC (Navy Yard), and I'm hoping to get one with the Army for next summer to round out my experience. Happy to talk about that as well.

Jules07 wrote:I'm a 2L at a T25 school who was accepted into the Air Force Graduate Legal Program (GLP) this past February. I'm happy to answer any questions about the application process, applying as a 1L, going through AFROTC, etc. It's so hard to find good information about JAG anywhere, I know the struggle!

Last summer I did the Navy internship at HQ in DC (Navy Yard), and I'm hoping to get one with the Army for next summer to round out my experience. Happy to talk about that as well.

1) What do you think made you stand out for GLP? (without outing yourself too much!)
2) Why volunteer over the summer if you already have a guaranteed job lined up?
3) Do you start the GLP application process with a recruiter, or with your local det.?

twenty wrote: 1) What do you think made you stand out for GLP? (without outing yourself too much!)
2) Why volunteer over the summer if you already have a guaranteed job lined up?
3) Do you start the GLP application process with a recruiter, or with your local det.?

Get ready for a long answer, haha.

From my own experience, I think the biggest single factor in GLP selection is the interview. I knew I wasn't very good at interviewing, so I met with my school's career office around 5 times for tips and mock interviews. For me, planning what I was going to say to the obvious questions (why military, tell me about yourself, leadership experience, etc.) and practicing was huge. I dressed very formally but wasn't overly formal with the interviewer - especially as someone without prior military service, I knew he wouldn't be expecting me to treat him as a superior officer. I was still respectful and a little more formal than usual, but tried to not stifle my personality.

I also had very (VERY) good undergrad grades, so I'm sure that helped counteract the fact that the board had absolutely nothing from law school but my first-semester grades. I don't think grades are more important than the rest of the application, though.

I think he liked to see the initiative I took as well, not many people know that you can apply to the AF in your first semester, so if you do you're in a much smaller pool. No idea if that matters in the grand scheme of things, but who knows! I'm also a first-gen college grad, which I emphasized along with the fact that I came to law school specifically with JAG in mind. Although I have no immediate family who was/is in the military, I was able to give thoughtful and sincere reasons why I chose JAG - this is where the practice comes in. But if you're just applying because you haven't found a job and it's just another option for you, they'll probably be able to tell.

I took the job with the Navy primarily for the experience. Yes it was expensive (DC! Yikes), but I am really glad I did. It was a really great experience and I definitely got a feel for how the legal system works on a base. It was a little different because most of what they do at HQ is not what you'll be doing on your first tour, but for me especially it was great to be immersed in that environment and make connections. I'm pulling for Army next year because I really gained a respect for the Navy and Marine Corps through working with them that the AF doesn't provide, haha. Plus, joint ops are the way of the future so I figure being able to relate to and understand the other services is really important.

I began the application process by filling out the online application, but one of those documents for the GLP is a letter from your area det commander saying he's met with you and he'd be willing to accept you into the program. So before my interview, I went in to talk with the commander and it was pretty informal. Most of the application stuff I figured out on my own just using the resources they have on the internet, I actually never talked to a recruiter and had been unable to go to the one information session they held at my school.

Ok that was probably more info than you wanted, let me know if you have any other questions!

Jules07 wrote:I'm a 2L at a T25 school who was accepted into the Air Force Graduate Legal Program (GLP) this past February. I'm happy to answer any questions about the application process, applying as a 1L, going through AFROTC, etc. It's so hard to find good information about JAG anywhere, I know the struggle!

Last summer I did the Navy internship at HQ in DC (Navy Yard), and I'm hoping to get one with the Army for next summer to round out my experience. Happy to talk about that as well.

If you are a 2L, I'm fairly certain your coming summer is going to involve the 22 days of AFROTC field training down at Maxwell.

http://www.airforce.com/jag/entry_progr ... aw_program

Depending on the timing, 8-10 weeks with the Army as an intern may not be possible.

Patrick Bateman wrote: If you are a 2L, I'm fairly certain your coming summer is going to involve the 22 days of AFROTC field training down at Maxwell.

http://www.airforce.com/jag/entry_progr ... aw_program

Depending on the timing, 8-10 weeks with the Army as an intern may not be possible.

I joined AFROTC in March and went to Max 1 this past May-June, so I'm set! It made for a full summer with 8 weeks in DC afterwards, but it was nice to get it out of the way.

Jules07 wrote:

Patrick Bateman wrote: If you are a 2L, I'm fairly certain your coming summer is going to involve the 22 days of AFROTC field training down at Maxwell.

http://www.airforce.com/jag/entry_progr ... aw_program

Depending on the timing, 8-10 weeks with the Army as an intern may not be possible.

I joined AFROTC in March and went to Max 1 this past May-June, so I'm set! It made for a full summer with 8 weeks in DC afterwards, but it was nice to get it out of the way.

To clarify, then, you were accepted as a 1L, right? I'm a little confused on that, though, because I thought as a 1L select, you had a year to prepare before you went to Field Training?

Also, your Navy internship was before you went to law school then?

bouakedojo wrote: To clarify, then, you were accepted as a 1L, right? I'm a little confused on that, though, because I thought as a 1L select, you had a year to prepare before you went to Field Training?

Also, your Navy internship was before you went to law school then?

My Navy internship was this past summer, my 1L summer.

I was accepted in my second semester of my 1L year, and I had the option of going to FT right away or waiting until next summer. I chose to go right away; I wasn't 100% prepared, but I survived. There's a special max that all the JAG cadets are supposed to attend (last summer it was Max 3), but it didn't work with my Navy internship. Starting next year, I'm pretty sure JAG cadets are either highly encouraged or required to wait until their 2L summer to go to FT.

1. Good luck to all of those still waiting for decisions from the various branches. I know the waiting can be brutal, but just hang in there and enjoy the holidays with family and friends as much as possible!
2. If there are any other AD Army selectees leaving for training in January let me know!
3. If anyone has questions about the post-selection/pre-training Army process, or about specific aspects of the Army application that aren't on this forum, I'd be happy to share my experience.
4. Thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum. It's been a great resource for me throughout my journey and I hope it continues to be for others.

Hi all,

I've dropped in a few times, but mostly just read everything posted in here. I'm a 2L waiting to hear from the Navy SP board. It appears that the Thursday of the second week in December seems to have been the release date for the past two years.

Good luck to everyone else waiting as well!

Jules07 wrote:I'm a 2L at a T25 school who was accepted into the Air Force Graduate Legal Program (GLP) this past February. I'm happy to answer any questions about the application process, applying as a 1L, going through AFROTC, etc. It's so hard to find good information about JAG anywhere, I know the struggle!

Last summer I did the Navy internship at HQ in DC (Navy Yard), and I'm hoping to get one with the Army for next summer to round out my experience. Happy to talk about that as well.

Hi Jules,

What did your timeline for applying looked like? I'm a 1L hoping to join AF JAG but have not requested letters of recommendation yet. Do you think it is too late to get these at this point?

I've considered waiting until next year and just focusing on grades and getting an internship for the summer which is why I haven't requested any letters yet. I also wasn't sure how many people even got chosen through GLP which deterred me from trying without a JAG internship on my resume. But then I saw your post and it renewed my interest in applying this year.

herring3279 wrote: Hi Jules,

What did your timeline for applying looked like? I'm a 1L hoping to join AF JAG but have not requested letters of recommendation yet. Do you think it is too late to get these at this point?

I've considered waiting until next year and just focusing on grades and getting an internship for the summer which is why I haven't requested any letters yet. I also wasn't sure how many people even got chosen through GLP which deterred me from trying without a JAG internship on my resume. But then I saw your post and it renewed my interest in applying this year.

Hi! I actually interviewed last November, but that was pretty early. I sort of jumped the gun on that one. If you're really serious about JAG, I would go ahead and apply this year. If you don't get selected this time, from what I've seen on this forum they like to see repeat applications because it shows that you really want it.

I think I only had two letters of rec, one from a previous employer and one from an undergrad professor. I didn't have any from law professors because at that point I hadn't really formed relationships with any of them yet. The letters took awhile to get, so what I did was I completed everything else in the application, and when I called to schedule my interview I told the secretary that they hadn't come in yet. I interviewed and everything and she just had me mail them in to her, or you could probably have the letters sent directly to the office. They were totally fine with it there, but I would bring it up when you call just in case. All that matters is that they have them before the board meets.

My interviewer was also telling me that hardly anyone actually applies for the GLP in 1L year, so my opinion (take it or leave it) is that it demonstrates your level of interest in JAG that you would be willing to commit to it that early on.

One last thing - for my writing sample I used a memo from my legal research and writing class instead of something from undergrad, and I brought that up in the interview as well. But I don't think it would count against you as a 1L if you used a good non-legal writing sample.

Jules07 wrote:

herring3279 wrote: Hi Jules,

What did your timeline for applying looked like? I'm a 1L hoping to join AF JAG but have not requested letters of recommendation yet. Do you think it is too late to get these at this point?

I've considered waiting until next year and just focusing on grades and getting an internship for the summer which is why I haven't requested any letters yet. I also wasn't sure how many people even got chosen through GLP which deterred me from trying without a JAG internship on my resume. But then I saw your post and it renewed my interest in applying this year.

Hi! I actually interviewed last November, but that was pretty early. I sort of jumped the gun on that one. If you're really serious about JAG, I would go ahead and apply this year. If you don't get selected this time, from what I've seen on this forum they like to see repeat applications because it shows that you really want it.

I think I only had two letters of rec, one from a previous employer and one from an undergrad professor. I didn't have any from law professors because at that point I hadn't really formed relationships with any of them yet. The letters took awhile to get, so what I did was I completed everything else in the application, and when I called to schedule my interview I told the secretary that they hadn't come in yet. I interviewed and everything and she just had me mail them in to her, or you could probably have the letters sent directly to the office. They were totally fine with it there, but I would bring it up when you call just in case. All that matters is that they have them before the board meets.

My interviewer was also telling me that hardly anyone actually applies for the GLP in 1L year, so my opinion (take it or leave it) is that it demonstrates your level of interest in JAG that you would be willing to commit to it that early on.

One last thing - for my writing sample I used a memo from my legal research and writing class instead of something from undergrad, and I brought that up in the interview as well. But I don't think it would count against you as a 1L if you used a good non-legal writing sample.

Thank you so much for the advice! Submitting everything and waiting for letters of rec to come in later is something I hadn't thought of. You've helped relieve my stress so much.

herring3279 wrote:

Jules07 wrote:

herring3279 wrote: Hi Jules,

What did your timeline for applying looked like? I'm a 1L hoping to join AF JAG but have not requested letters of recommendation yet. Do you think it is too late to get these at this point?

I've considered waiting until next year and just focusing on grades and getting an internship for the summer which is why I haven't requested any letters yet. I also wasn't sure how many people even got chosen through GLP which deterred me from trying without a JAG internship on my resume. But then I saw your post and it renewed my interest in applying this year.

Hi! I actually interviewed last November, but that was pretty early. I sort of jumped the gun on that one. If you're really serious about JAG, I would go ahead and apply this year. If you don't get selected this time, from what I've seen on this forum they like to see repeat applications because it shows that you really want it.

I think I only had two letters of rec, one from a previous employer and one from an undergrad professor. I didn't have any from law professors because at that point I hadn't really formed relationships with any of them yet. The letters took awhile to get, so what I did was I completed everything else in the application, and when I called to schedule my interview I told the secretary that they hadn't come in yet. I interviewed and everything and she just had me mail them in to her, or you could probably have the letters sent directly to the office. They were totally fine with it there, but I would bring it up when you call just in case. All that matters is that they have them before the board meets.

My interviewer was also telling me that hardly anyone actually applies for the GLP in 1L year, so my opinion (take it or leave it) is that it demonstrates your level of interest in JAG that you would be willing to commit to it that early on.

One last thing - for my writing sample I used a memo from my legal research and writing class instead of something from undergrad, and I brought that up in the interview as well. But I don't think it would count against you as a 1L if you used a good non-legal writing sample.

Thank you so much for the advice! Submitting everything and waiting for letters of rec to come in later is something I hadn't thought of. You've helped relieve my stress so much.

I just thought I'd weigh in since I was a GLP non-select last year. I interviewed in January when I was home for Christmas as there aren't any AF bases near school. I got all my letters of rec sorted out in early-mid December and sent them in with my other materials. I had no grades when I interviewed, though, so that probably hurt me since they had no law school grades to evaluate me based on. Make sure to maintain good communication with the SJA's office that you interview with. my grades finally came out about January 29 and I called and asked if they had sent in the materials yet, they hadn't, so I asked them if I could get the transcript faxed over, and they said yes, but when I got my packet back after not being selected, the transcript had no grades. So just make sure you're all on the same page.

My interviewer encouraged me to keep applying. That's what you'll hear from people in all the branches. Keep applying and you're likely to eventually get picked up by somebody if you're at all competitive.

Here's my .02:

I will reiterate what a previous poster said--I think the interview, whether it be for GLP or Direct Appointment, is very important. I interviewed for the GLP my 1L year and in hindsight, I feel like I bombed the interview (and was not selected, of course). I knew nothing about the legal profession and having no legal experience, really had no leg to stand on for any hypothetical questions that were posed. It was just bad.

However, my interview went exceedingly well for my direct appointment application and I ended up being selected. I drew on the wealth of experiences I've had working in a prosecutor's office and all my answers really seemed to jive with what my interviewer was looking for in a prospective JAG officer.

For anyone who applied for the Army 2L internship, per the JARO FB page earlier this morning:

We project releasing the list of selectees for the 2L Summer Internship Program as early as next week! Check this page and jagcnet.army/jaro for updates.

MarkfromWI wrote:For anyone who applied for the Army 2L internship, per the JARO FB page earlier this morning:

We project releasing the list of selectees for the 2L Summer Internship Program as early as next week! Check this page and jagcnet.army/jaro for updates.

Wow, that's unreal. Last year's Army internship results were scheduled for release in mid-December, but the announcement was ultimately pushed to 10 January. Hopefully this year's quick turnaround will give everyone the chance to relax a bit during the holidays.

Any Air Force signed up for 15-02? I was thinking about meeting up on Sunday night before class begins.

Not Professionally Recommended by Navy.

Sorry, UFLaw. Hopefully you'll get in on another round.

I was professionally recommended. Thanks to everyone on this thread for the information/encouragement/advice you've provided.

Congrats!