Army JAG lawyer route? Forum

[BobbyDigital]

Anyone considering this path?

Given the shitty job market, I'm thinking about JAG as a plan B once I graduate. The debt payoff, and immediate work experience is appealing. Of course, there's a big price to pay and lots of uncertainty that comes with signing your life away for 7+ years, and unless I consider it as a full on career, I'm not sure it's worth taking the plunge for the benefits.

If anyone has spoken to a recruiter or knows anyone who has gone this route, I'd be interested to hear about it.

[mpj_3050]

JAG is going to be pretty competitive right now. Also, you still have to make it through the service's officer candidate school.

You should apply as soon as you can because there are boards and such that take quite a bit of time should you get selected.

The military is a huge commitment and there is a reason why you hear many, many people bitch during and after their time.

[BruceWayne]

Anyone considering this path?

Given the shitty job market, I'm thinking about JAG as a plan B once I graduate. The debt payoff, and immediate work experience is appealing. Of course, there's a big price to pay and lots of uncertainty that comes with signing your life away for 7+ years, and unless I consider it as a full on career, I'm not sure it's worth taking the plunge for the benefits.

If anyone has spoken to a recruiter or knows anyone who has gone this route, I'd be interested to hear about it.

It's really only a 4 year commitment. Check out the massive military law thread for great info.

[blink]

sorry buddy, but JAG isn't a backup option. You have to have excellent grades among other things to be selected. Search Military Law for tons of info.

[splitmuch]

Does anyone know about exit options from JAG? Suppose I want to become a USAA and use PSLF to take care of my debt, is going LS to jag to USAA a realistic career path (assuming doing well in LS)?

[adelon]

Even in a good economy it's difficult to back into a JAG job. These days? No way. They're not hard up for people, so they will want to see that you really want to be in the military, not just that you didn't find a good enough job in the civilian sector.

JAG is going to be pretty competitive right now. Also, you still have to make it through the service's officer candidate school.

Only in the Marines, IIRC. USCG, USAF, and Navy send you to the easy 5-week officer training. I believe it is the same in the Army. I think it has to be, since going to BCT and OCS is both entirely unnecessary and not at all worth it for prospective JAGS.

[BobbyDigital]

Just found the military law thread with all my answers, thanks!

I should've mentioned that I'm prior service and it seems as though my odds of getting selected by a JAG corps are probably better than civilian prospects at the moment. No doubt JAG will require excellent grades--what employer doesn't right now?

[gmreplay]

Considered it. Realized I care far too much for my personal freedom to sign myself over to the military for several years.