Air Force/Navy JAG Student Program Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am planning on applying to the Air Force and Navy JAG Student Programs. I would like to know if I have any chance at all of even being considered. My GPA is only a 2.2 and I have no extracurricular activities. I stress that it is not because I am lazy or a bad student. I have a kid and he was, and only 6 months old when I started law school. So because of that it has been impossible to join any groups since they all meet in the evening. My GPA has suffered because with his mother working nights I literally go to class and then come home to be with him. So studying is something that is almost impossible to get done. Luckily, I was able to create a schedule this semester to do an internship so I will get some experience.

I plan on applying regardless but do I have any chance at all or am I just wasting my time?

[thriller1122]

I wouldn't say you are wasting your time, but if you can't handle a kid and law school you can't handle being in the military. This is not to say you can't learn the skills to be successful in the military in the future, but law school isn't super difficult even with kids. Balancing normal workflow, family, PT, deployments and TDYs on the other hand... I would keep working on your scheduling and time management. Try and get it to a point where you can do multiple things at once. I would also try for an internship with a JAG office to be able to see first-hand what the military lifestyle is like.

[Anonymous User]

To provide an accurate answer to whether you have a chance or not we would need more information.

What year are you in? Are you able to bring your GPA up any higher prior to applying? What was your LSAT score? Undergrad GPA? Do you have any prior work experience? Do you have personal/professional experience highlighting leadership qualities? Do you appear physically fit? Why do you want to become a military officer?

Most applicants are viewed using an approach that takes into account all aspects of a particular candidate (i.e., work experience, academia, soft skills). Although your GPA will be a huge hurdle to overcome, other portions of your application can help make up for your grades. That being said, it may still prove to be an uphill battle. You may want to consider applying to Army JAG to increase your odds.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous User]

I wouldn't say you are wasting your time, but if you can't handle a kid and law school you can't handle being in the military. This is not to say you can't learn the skills to be successful in the military in the future, but law school isn't super difficult even with kids.

This is an incredibly "cringy" comment that sounds as if it comes from a position of ignorance. (Unsure if that ignorance springs from not having kids, or not having served in the military in any real or significant capacity.) My background: 12 years active duty military officer, front line combat platform and multiple upon multiple highly-decorated deployments. Also had a kid in law school. Which is "harder"? They are different--apples to oranges. And simply because someone struggles in one arena does not in any way indicate a lack of aptitude for another.

OP, I apologize for above poster's embarrassing comment. I suspect it's someone who hasn't grown into their brand new combat boots yet, but is convinced the uniform imparts to them some elevated social status that allows condescension to others (it doesn't). You'll run into these types from time to time in the military, but I hope you can extend some grace to "youthful" people like this who have misplaced enthusiasm. As for the military's willingness to take someone with a lower-than-ideal GPA, the worse they can do to you is say no. If you want to serve your country and have an interest in pursuing Air Force/Navy JAG, reach out and apply. There's no telling what the "needs of the service" will be, and it's possible you will find the door open. Good luck!

[Halp]

I wouldn't say you are wasting your time, but if you can't handle a kid and law school you can't handle being in the military. This is not to say you can't learn the skills to be successful in the military in the future, but law school isn't super difficult even with kids.

This is an incredibly "cringy" comment that sounds as if it comes from a position of ignorance. (Unsure if that ignorance springs from not having kids, or not having served in the military in any real or significant capacity.) My background: 12 years active duty military officer, front line combat platform and multiple upon multiple highly-decorated deployments. Also had a kid in law school. Which is "harder"? They are different--apples to oranges. And simply because someone struggles in one arena does not in any way indicate a lack of aptitude for another.

OP, I apologize for above poster's embarrassing comment. I suspect it's someone who hasn't grown into their brand new combat boots yet, but is convinced the uniform imparts to them some elevated social status that allows condescension to others (it doesn't). You'll run into these types from time to time in the military, but I hope you can extend some grace to "youthful" people like this who have misplaced enthusiasm. As for the military's willingness to take someone with a lower-than-ideal GPA, the worse they can do to you is say no. If you want to serve your country and have an interest in pursuing Air Force/Navy JAG, reach out and apply. There's no telling what the "needs of the service" will be, and it's possible you will find the door open. Good luck!

Yeah wtf? And “law school isn’t super difficult even with kids?” This reminds me of all the “I only study for 20 minutes a day; that’s all you ever need to get straight A’s at HLS” type nonsense you hear in 1L. The only problem is, it’s bull crap meant to make the speaker look soooo smart because they don’t need to put in much work and it’s sooooo easy. Utter nonsense.

Also, research shows that human beings are not capable of paying attention to more than one thing at a time. So other than doing tasks while you are like...exercising or in the tub/toilet, maybe, you can’t “do multiple things at a time.” Get out of here with that nonsense advice.

[Dcc617]

The military is super shitty for and to families though. It's a lot of time away from loved ones, even when there's nothing really going on. I once had a superior officer tell my company that we needed to train for being away from our families, so that's the mindset.

OP, why do you want to join the military?

[mdk16]

I wouldn't say you are wasting your time, but if you can't handle a kid and law school you can't handle being in the military. This is not to say you can't learn the skills to be successful in the military in the future, but law school isn't super difficult even with kids.

This is an incredibly "cringy" comment that sounds as if it comes from a position of ignorance. (Unsure if that ignorance springs from not having kids, or not having served in the military in any real or significant capacity.) My background: 12 years active duty military officer, front line combat platform and multiple upon multiple highly-decorated deployments. Also had a kid in law school. Which is "harder"? They are different--apples to oranges. And simply because someone struggles in one arena does not in any way indicate a lack of aptitude for another.

OP, I apologize for above poster's embarrassing comment. I suspect it's someone who hasn't grown into their brand new combat boots yet, but is convinced the uniform imparts to them some elevated social status that allows condescension to others (it doesn't). You'll run into these types from time to time in the military, but I hope you can extend some grace to "youthful" people like this who have misplaced enthusiasm. As for the military's willingness to take someone with a lower-than-ideal GPA, the worse they can do to you is say no. If you want to serve your country and have an interest in pursuing Air Force/Navy JAG, reach out and apply. There's no telling what the "needs of the service" will be, and it's possible you will find the door open. Good luck!

Thank you, I definitely plan on applying. My motto for always been that the worst an organization can say is no.

[mdk16]

The military is super shitty for and to families though. It's a lot of time away from loved ones, even when there's nothing really going on. I once had a superior officer tell my company that we needed to train for being away from our families, so that's the mindset.

OP, why do you want to join the military?

I don't mind the deployments. Mainly because if I worked at a private law firm in south Florida I'd likely pull 80+ hours weeks. I believe the military gives me the best situation to get out of survival mode. I know what i'm capable of, and I think in the military I can finally showcase those abilities. As I said I am not a lazy person by any means. In undergrad I worked 2-3 jobs and still graduated with above a 3.0. Even found time to do community service. In law school I've just had to deal with several almost evictions, car repossession, and other financial issues just to stay in school while also raising a kid so studying often has taken a back seat. I have a good schedule this fall (which is my last semester) so I can go out and gain some experience. I think military gives me more stability than I've had the last few years and the ability to focus on the law without worrying about all the financial problems.

[wishywashy]

I don't mind the deployments. Mainly because if I worked at a private law firm in south Florida I'd likely pull 80+ hours weeks. I believe the military gives me the best situation to get out of survival mode.

I have several friends and family in (or who use to be in) the service, and a law school classmate in JAG program. The military can really help people turn their lives around. Just make sure you watch for the scams people run around military bases (high interest car loans, etc. - just ask around and google a bit).

If you strike out on JAG consider the reserves or national guard too for the income. I have a few friends who went through hard times and the only thing that kept them off the streets was their paycheck from the reserves. Check out the officer pay scales in reserves/guard as well as the retirement programs (and student loan/GI bill + student loan forgiveness + TriCare health insurance).

If the military doesn't fit then you can always let your term expire without re-upping.

Keep a good attitude and best of luck OP.

[Anonymous User]

The poor--and often inaccurate--advice on this thread is baffling.

OP, based on your comments I would strongly advise against applying at this time. You should avoid limping into the military. Serving will not magically heal your financial woes or suddenly provide you with academic/professional success. You would be a military officer, which carries with it an enormous amount of responsibility both for yourself and the enlisted service members that will be looking to you for legal support.

You have only commented on what the military can provide you, not why you want to serve as a military officer. I would take a couple years to gain some professional experience and get your house in order, then apply for direct appointment.

Side note- comparing a deployment to working at a firm for 80+ hours a week may indicate you need to speak with more service members (preferably not on this site) to gain better insight on exactly what your signing up for.

[mdk16]

The poor--and often inaccurate--advice on this thread is baffling.

OP, based on your comments I would strongly advise against applying at this time. You should avoid limping into the military. Serving will not magically heal your financial woes or suddenly provide you with academic/professional success. You would be a military officer, which carries with it an enormous amount of responsibility both for yourself and the enlisted service members that will be looking to you for legal support.

You have only commented on what the military can provide you, not why you want to serve as a military officer. I would take a couple years to gain some professional experience and get your house in order, then apply for direct appointment.

Side note- comparing a deployment to working at a firm for 80+ hours a week may indicate you need to speak with more service members (preferably not on this site) to gain better insight on exactly what your signing up for.

To answer what I'd offer to the military is someone who wants a military career and doesn't see it as just a stepping stone to further a career. On top of that, a lot of the enlisted soldiers are just kids that have similar backgrounds to mine. I have the ability to communicate and relate to them in a way that, in my experience, I know many law students aren't able to. Also i'm fully aware of the leadership aspect. I have been in several leadership positions on jobs and I know I am very capable in that department.

I also will not be limping into anything. A little inexperienced, sure. But I never limp into anything. I also compare working 80+ hours a week to employment because lets be honest, what's really the difference. I've met plenty of attorneys that see their kids and family barely more than a military person that's deployed. I'd much rather deal with an occasional 3-6 month deployment in the Navy or AF than a lifetime of 80+ hours a week and basically missing my kid's entire life.