Working at a firm and as a Reserve JAG Forum

[kronos1928]

So I may be completely dreaming here, but I've always been caught between two lives. On one hand, I've always wanted to serve my country in uniform. I've always wanted the training and the know-how. On the other, I wanted to be an attorney working for a firm and making the big $$. I'm a 2L now at HLS with a firm offer for this summer (they give 100% offers).

I am curious as to whether anyone here has joined the JAG reserves in any branch. My preferred branch would be USMC. But I realize this is a huge commitment just to be trained (OCS + TBS + JAG school). That's nearly a year of training for a 6-year commitment. The other option I was looking into was Direct Commissioning in the Army (6 weeks + 10 1/2 in JAG school). This comes with an 8-year commitment. But I know that in the Army as a direct commission, I won't be considered a true soldier and it is my understanding that I would be passed over for many opportunities I would want to partake in (e.g., airborne, air assault). I know the Air Force and the Navy have similar programs.

Obviously I want to limit my deployment options if possible. It would take a big chunk out of my firm if I were to deploy for a year. I'm pretty sure they can't fire me for deploying or training, right? Will someone help me sort this out? I'd really hate to regret not fulfilling this part of my soul. Thanks!

[Troianii]

So I may be completely dreaming here, but I've always been caught between two lives. On one hand, I've always wanted to serve my country in uniform. I've always wanted the training and the know-how. On the other, I wanted to be an attorney working for a firm and making the big $$. I'm a 2L now at HLS with a firm offer for this summer (they give 100% offers).

I am curious as to whether anyone here has joined the JAG reserves in any branch. My preferred branch would be USMC. But I realize this is a huge commitment just to be trained (OCS + TBS + JAG school). That's nearly a year of training for a 6-year commitment. The other option I was looking into was Direct Commissioning in the Army (6 weeks + 10 1/2 in JAG school). This comes with an 8-year commitment. But I know that in the Army as a direct commission, I won't be considered a true soldier and it is my understanding that I would be passed over for many opportunities I would want to partake in (e.g., airborne, air assault). I know the Air Force and the Navy have similar programs.

Obviously I want to limit my deployment options if possible. It would take a big chunk out of my firm if I were to deploy for a year. I'm pretty sure they can't fire me for deploying or training, right? Will someone help me sort this out? I'd really hate to regret not fulfilling this part of my soul. Thanks!

Let me first suggest that you read up on the Soldier and Sailor's Civil Relief Act. It legally prevents employers from ****ing around with guardsmen and reserves. If you get deployed, your employer is actually legally required to keep your job for you. They can hire a temp, but they can't replace you, and your position can't mysteriously be cut (it's obviously a different story if your firm closes down, or downsizes and lets off a majority of employees, but if there's any indication they've targeted you because of your service, you can sue them). They also aren't legally allowed to discriminate on that basis - so if you're applying to a firm and they say they can't take you because they need someone they "can count on" to be there when needed, then you should show them the letter of this act - they aren't allowed to do that, and it's legally about the same as if they said, "sorry, we don't want no darkies".
http://www.military.com/benefits/milita ... rview.html

I'd love to go JAG if I wasn't already physically broken from my service, but let me give you one piece of advice: if you really are that concerned about avoiding deployments, don't sign up. I mean to begin with, it's not like they send JAG to the frontlines with rifles, but really, if you're concerned about getting deployed, don't sign up in any branch for any job. I, my brothers, and many buddies deployed - to my knowledge, every one of us wanted to deploy again.

[bearsfan23]

I think you're really underestimating how competitive JAG programs are, as well as what a serious commitment it is. You want to be in the military but you don't want to deploy? Uh ok, be sure to say that in your interview.

Being at HLS doesn't mean shit. JAG is far more competitive than a BigLaw offer.

Maybe try applying first before worrying about this problem

[nycguy]

Nice info provided Troianii....

[TheSpanishMain]

The Air Force and Navy do not commission fresh grads directly into the Reserves.

[kronos1928]

Allow me to clarify. I am not worried about deploying. I would welcome it. I was just worried about losing my job/pay during said time. I realize this is a huge commitment and I realize it is difficult to get into. So spare me all that crap. I just want to know if it is possible or if it is recommended that I don't do it because it would kill my chances at learning enough at a law firm or that the time in the USMC or Army would seem pointless and boring.

[TheSpanishMain]

A few things.

Bearsfan is incorrect in saying that HYS doesn't matter in a JAG application. It's true that JAG tends to be more holistic than most employers. For example, they might take someone with leadership experience and public/military service at a lower ranked school over a K-JD from a T14. That said, school prestige and grades still matter somewhat. They're just not the be all end all like it is in BigLaw jobs.

Second, you're right in thinking that an Army Reserve JAG officer is going to be an extremely low priority for things like Airborne and Air Assault school. There's just no real need for them to have that particular skill identifier. It sounds to me like you want to have a legal career and also do all the traditional Army stuff: shoot guns, jump out of planes, eat snakes, etc. If that's the case, why be a Reserve JAG? Why not try to get a National Guard commission as a combat arms guy? There's no rule that says if you're in the Guard/Reserves you must have the military equivalent of your civilian job.

As to whether being in the Guard/Reserves is doable while you're a BigLaw associate, I highly doubt it. Just getting through the initial pipeline will require you to do months on active duty going through training. It's true that your firm can't fire you for being in the military, but it would probably undermine your prospects there in a lot of subtle ways. Not to mention you'd really be running yourself ragged.

I guess ultimately it depends on what you want out of your BigLaw job. If you're just trying to do a few years there, get the name on the resume and then dip out for something else, maybe it's doable. I will say I was a Reserve officer while I was a federal employee (not an attorney) and it really isn't that bad. The feds are pretty understanding of military obligations in my experience.

[twenty]

Based on conversations I've had with 6~ reservists with legal careers, (so take it for what it's worth - not much):

Biglaw employers will hate you, but can't do anything about it. On the upside, you can basically never be fired. On the downside, you're a huge liability to the firm, and they will do everything in their power to make you uncomfortable and hopefully get you to leave. The people I've met have left in this situation strike me as go-getters that don't like being shat on. The people I've met that have stuck it out seem like the types that truly DGAF.

It makes zero sense to me to DC into Army JAG if 1) you'd rather be a Marine, and 2) you'd rather do high speed shit. Go do high speed shit. You take a pay cut as an O-1 instead of an O-2+, but who cares - you take a massive pay cut to do either if you're not being paid by your firm during that time.

[thriller1122]

So I may be completely dreaming here, but I've always been caught between two lives. On one hand, I've always wanted to serve my country in uniform. I've always wanted the training and the know-how. On the other, I wanted to be an attorney working for a firm and making the big $$. I'm a 2L now at HLS with a firm offer for this summer (they give 100% offers).

I am curious as to whether anyone here has joined the JAG reserves in any branch. My preferred branch would be USMC. But I realize this is a huge commitment just to be trained (OCS + TBS + JAG school). That's nearly a year of training for a 6-year commitment. The other option I was looking into was Direct Commissioning in the Army (6 weeks + 10 1/2 in JAG school). This comes with an 8-year commitment. But I know that in the Army as a direct commission, I won't be considered a true soldier and it is my understanding that I would be passed over for many opportunities I would want to partake in (e.g., airborne, air assault). I know the Air Force and the Navy have similar programs.

Obviously I want to limit my deployment options if possible. It would take a big chunk out of my firm if I were to deploy for a year. I'm pretty sure they can't fire me for deploying or training, right? Will someone help me sort this out? I'd really hate to regret not fulfilling this part of my soul. Thanks!

If you're worried at all about constant deployments I would probably shy away from USMC. I mean, they all deploy but I would probably expect it more from the Marines. Personally, I'm in the Air Force and the chances of deploying as a JAG aren't awesome. Thats not to say you won't, but I would be more susprised than say the Army or Marines. As far as the comissioning thing goes, you kind of sound like you are interested in military service in general. Airborne and whatnot are for specific careers that do just that. Its not that JAG limits you from doing that, its that JAG is a completely different career. Its not like you could sign up to be a finance officer and then be airborne when you deploy. If you have questions about commissioning there is a current officer with the handle AF Falcon on TLS. He might be a good person to ask.