Military Law Forum

[Patrick Bateman]

Thanks for your input, dgsaudio!

Bateman and Rocky--all I'm trying to do is get my parents and family to support my decision to join. Once I join, I will be fully committed to do anything and go anywhere.

Fair enough.

To piggy back AED9, a USAF JAG was severely wounded in the past year when her convey was hit by an IED. Apart from that, all of my friends in the AOR routinely deal with the random rocket/mortar attacks. Our jobs do not take us outside the wire often, but JAGs do run conveys when they are getting from A to B with all the inherent risk that comes with that.

Do we take the risks that the combat arms community is forced to take every day? Hardly. But when deployed you will still be doing your job in a very dangerous place.

[Cole S. Law]

You are more likely to get killed in a car accident on the way to school tomorrow than getting killed by enemy action as a JAG.

[Eagle]

Thanks everyone! That was very helpful.

[upnorthguy]

Has anyone here investigated the National Guard JAG?

After doing quite a bit of research, I have a packet submitted (as of January) with the ARNG . So far, the process is quite slow, but I'm sure YMMV.

[JP_Spungo]

After doing quite a bit of research, I have a packet submitted (as of January) with the ARNG . So far, the process is quite slow, but I'm sure YMMV.

Regarding that, the Army seems a bit schizophrenic (or has failed to make its updates explicit on its different websites) regarding whether applications should be online or via paper. The http://jagcnet.army.mil website indicates Army National Guard JAG applicants are still supposed to fill out paper applications, but the .PDF documents provided seem out of date. Is paper actually still the proper means for Army National Guard JAG applications (and only for National Guard)?

Meanwhile, did you submit a packet with Army JAG Reserve and Army JAG active duty as well?

Thanks.

[upnorthguy]

After doing quite a bit of research, I have a packet submitted (as of January) with the ARNG . So far, the process is quite slow, but I'm sure YMMV.

Regarding that, the Army seems a bit schizophrenic (or has failed to make its updates explicit on its different websites) regarding whether applications should be online or via paper. The http://jagcnet.army.mil website indicates Army National Guard JAG applicants are still supposed to fill out paper applications, but the .PDF documents provided seem out of date. Is paper actually still the proper means for Army National Guard JAG applications (and only for National Guard)?

Meanwhile, did you submit a packet with Army JAG Reserve and Army JAG active duty as well?

Thanks.

My packet has been "paper". Really, so far I have only sent pdf scans of my paper docs. The JAG packet contact for my state's OSM office told me that my letters of recommendation were the only items that I needed to submit in original copy form.
From what I've seen/read, it does look like the online application is the proper method for AD and USAR and "paper" for ARNG. I'm sure this process could vary by state for the ARNG.

I did not submit a packet to the Reserves. I'm interested in the dual state/fed role of the ARNG so I have primarily looked at the ARNG. Another important factor is that there is an ARNG unit near me (<10 miles) so my weekend drill commute would be easy most of the time (there would be weekends when I would have to drive to other units in the state).

I am not interested in AD JAG. The cut in pay (including BAH, etc.) combined with the required relocation of the family (kids in school) is not worth it.

[Groundie]

Waiting to hear from Navy and applying to AF.

Personal story: I applied last AF board without my LoR from the O-5 from my Army internship who was busy doing stuff with Haiti. That did not go well. This time, re-submitted with additional LoRs including the O-5 so here's hoping.

That having been said, getting to know field grade (O-4+) officers (or in the Navy, senior O-5+) is a must for any of these. My army internship lacked had only TWO field grade officers for the entire post and adjacent airfield, a Deputy SJA and a section chief. People who are doing the internships: Look for opportunities to show off your work product with a colonel, full bird if available.

If anyone has any questions about the Army internship, I'd love to talk about it, although it looks like there are many who have done it as well.

[nomargfan5]

I'm interested in joining Air Force JAG after graduation. What elective classes should every Air Force JAG take? Thanks!

[Cole S. Law]

If anyone has any questions about the Army internship, I'd love to talk about it, although it looks like there are many who have done it as well.

Do you get an "offer" from the internship or do you still need to go through the complete application process again to get an appointment after graduation?

[Groundie]

Do you get an "offer" from the internship or do you still need to go through the complete application process again to get an appointment after graduation?

You have to go through the whole application process again, I'm afraid, if it's the same as a couple years ago. If you have all the factors people have enumerated on above, this should make you a lock, assuming you also get a good letter of recommendation.

[Groundie]

A few slow days...

Good luck to everyone in the Air Force April DAP board and everyone waiting on the Navy.

Any 2Ls planning on applying to the Air Force June DAP?

[thedude6512]

Just got selected for Marine Corps JAG about a week ago. Anybody else going to OCS this summer?

[JMD.USMC]

Just got selected for Marine Corps JAG about a week ago. Anybody else going to OCS this summer?

Have fun.
I did OCS in the summer of 2002. The most miserable yet awesome experience of my life.

Nothing I've done since has come close to giving me the sense of accomplishment I felt in the weeks after graduation from OCS.

[snakemongler84]

I'm trying to go this summer, but it will require my PFT score growing by leaps and bounds in a little over a week. I'll be doing my best.

I know I can be fairly well-prepared by June, but this 04/21 deadline is kicking my butt. Need to shave a minute of my 3-mile to make it under 24, and a few more pull-ups wouldn't hurt. What PFT score were you selected with (if you don't mind me asking), and did you hear of any others? Thanks, and good luck if I'm not along for the ride this time.

(PS: I've heard from OSO sources that you can't do PLC-Law your second summer, but had read elsewhere that you could - Confirmation?)

[Undead_Ed]

I'm trying to go this summer, but it will require my PFT score growing by leaps and bounds in a little over a week.

I don't know what you can do in a week besides get your mind right. This may help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZA6mvMXxBQ
Good luck!

For the long term, try this program:
http://www.military.com/military-fitnes ... -mile-time

I think it has really helped me to get better run times.

[thedude6512]

What PFT score were you selected with (if you don't mind me asking), and did you hear of any others? Thanks, and good luck if I'm not along for the ride this time.

(PS: I've heard from OSO sources that you can't do PLC-Law your second summer, but had read elsewhere that you could - Confirmation?)

I got a 284 (20 pull ups, 100 crunches, 20:32 run). The PFT score is a pretty big part of the selection process, and my OSO said that a JAG applicant usually needed at least a 250 to be competitive. I was the only law candidate at my school, so I don't really have a basis for comparison, though. FYI, I've heard that if you're not getting below 22:00 on the run by the time you get to OCS, it's going to be really rough.

As far as doing OCS your second year, of course you can. The only difference is that you will earn one less year in service by the time you graduate. It's really no big deal. In fact, if you work this summer, it will probably make you a more competitive applicant next year.

[Esquire]

Any idea on when the Navy will make its decisions?

[nycparalegal]

If you want to do JAG, but only as a reserve, do you work the same type of cases as an active duty JAG?

Is their any sort of stigma to only being a reserve JAG officer, rather than being a full active duty JAG?

[Eagle]

Any idea on when the Navy will make its decisions?

Any idea on when the Navy will make its decisions?

We should have started hearing about now. However, the application deadline was extended by a few weeks and so it'll probably be a few more weeks before we find out. I called last week and the board hadn't convened yet. Hope this helps.

[Groundie]

If you want to do JAG, but only as a reserve, do you work the same type of cases as an active duty JAG?

Is their any sort of stigma to only being a reserve JAG officer, rather than being a full active duty JAG?

I only have direct (limited) experience with the Army, so I'll try to answer a general question generally.

Other than slower promotion and less military experience, I don't think there's any "stigma" to being a Reservist. You wear the same uniform. One of the offices I worked for was mostly Reservists on a 1-year mobilization. Let me tell you those people are courageous for volunteering for military service, but spending a year 6,000 miles away from home while in the Reserve is extremely noble on top of that. No one doubted their commitment. Many of the Reservists have prior military experience, and for some other services, being a Reserve JAG requires active duty service first. However, Army JAG takes people straight out of law school into the Reserve, if selected.

In my experience (as an intern) the Reservists tend to fill in in areas where you'd think Reservists would be easier inserted, i.e. legal assistance. Maybe they'd get assigned to claims or contracts, depending on their civilian work. I doubt you'd be assigned to operational law or more strictly military stuff unless on an extended mobilization.

Just remember: It's still possible, and maybe even likely, to get deployed to a combat zone as a Reservist.

[Patrick Bateman]

If you want to do JAG, but only as a reserve, do you work the same type of cases as an active duty JAG?

Is their any sort of stigma to only being a reserve JAG officer, rather than being a full active duty JAG?

As in all things on this thread, a lot will depend on your service branch.

For example, everything is better in the Air Force, including service as a Reserve JAG.

[floridaprosecutor]

Hello All,

I'm new to the boards, but am interested in feedback on AD Army JAG. Any details on the day to day life and career possibilities would be appreciated...

Thanks!

[Devil_Pup]

Just got selected for Marine Corps JAG about a week ago. Anybody else going to OCS this summer?

Congratulations Candidate. I'll echo JMD here, the best, worst time of your life. Just remember why you went there and what your dream is and you can graduate (and don't get broken).
Check out MarineOCS.com, it's a wealth of information for you.

Have fun this summer and remember, when it gets tough, to look down at your uniform and the M-16 in your hands and remind yourself: "this shit is awesome!"

[jhare]

I have a question about serving and know I came to the right place:


I'm thinking about entering the Navy directly after UG. Once I'm there and put the initial 1-2 years in I will apply for the FLEP program, which would make the military responsible for paying 2 years of law school (at least I think this is the case). I know FLEP is selective so there's a 90 percent chance I won't get it. If I don't, I will finish my 4 year tour of duty, proud that I served my country. I will then apply for law school and use the GI Bill to pay for it.

Is this plan feasible? It seems like joining the Services is a win/win whether or not I get accepted into FLEP. Either the military pays for me to go to school while I am serving or they pay for it after my commitment through the GI Bill. And along the way I get to serve my country, something that would make me very proud.

Thanks for any input!!

[jhare]

(bump- posted kinda late last night)