Military Law Forum

[BrutusBuckeye]

How did they notify you?

Click on this link and enter the same information you used to register:
https://onlineapplication.jag.navy.mil/ ... Login.aspx

Good luck!

Mine still says Pending. Oh well.

Good luck to you! Hopefully you make it off the alternate list.

[Groundie]

Anyone get the call from the AF yet?

[BrutusBuckeye]

My status just changed to not professionally recommended. Oh well.

[Groundie]

My status just changed to not professionally recommended. Oh well.

Same here. Good luck to the alternates!

[TenaciousD]

My status just changed to not professionally recommended. Oh well.

Tough luck. There's always next time (a mantra I've certainly heard over the past few frustrating months).

[Groundie]

The Direct Appointment board for AF JAG (April) posted the selection list this morning.

Can you tell us the number of selectees/applicants?

[3milesup]

Not prefessionally recommended by the USN. Oh well is right.

[Patrick Bateman]

The Direct Appointment board for AF JAG (April) posted the selection list this morning.

Can you tell us the number of selectees/applicants?

Less than 20 selected, 350+ applicants.

[Undead_Ed]

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people who got accepted to Navy JAG also got accepted to Army JAG or AF JAG. I'm sure the 65K that Army and AF are now offering new admits will draw more than a few of these people away from Navy.

I'm kind of in a bind because I have to make my decision with Army by May 11th, but doubt I will hear back from Navy before then.

I got an email that I am a Navy Alternate as well. I was a little surprised because I figured they forgot about us. However, I had already decided I would stay Army and try to go to jump school. And I am ok with getting the 65K too.

[Eagle]

I'm trying to compare Army to Navy. I currently have a TON of law school debt and so Army's loan repayment program is a big plus for me. I also like the "Hooah" mentality of the Army and the ability to gain experience in a variety of practice areas.

At the same time, I am attracted to Navy's "intellectual" reputation, great base locations, and the possibility to learn admiralty/maritime law. Two things I do not like about Navy are that it does not have a loan forgiveness program and that it is difficult to do work outside of military justice during the first tour.

I am pretty sure that I do not want to make JAG a lifetime career and so exit-options are a big factor for me as well. I am from Southern California and would like to to one day work for a small to mid-size litigation firm or DOJ in SoCal.

What is your impression of how civilian and private sector employers view the different branches? I know for example that AF places very well with defense contracts such as Northrup Grumman and the US Attorney's Office in the Central District used to hire a lot of former Navy Jags. A buddy of mine works for the Army Corps. of Engineers and he says that quite a few former Army JAGs work there.

[Rotor]

Eagle, a reply without quoting your quote. I recognize it's anecdotal, but the one JAG I'm close to who isn't still in jumped ship in the middle of the economic downturn into a NYC NALP 250 firm. Granted he was a LCDR and not a one-termer. He had nothing but military law jobs, though. Just a data point to help you decide.

[Undead_Ed]

I'm trying to compare Army to Navy...

What is your impression of how civilian and private sector employers view the different branches? I know for example that AF places very well with defense contracts such as Northrup Grumman and the US Attorney's Office in the Central District used to hire a lot of former Navy Jags. A buddy of mine works for the Army Corps. of Engineers and he says that quite a few former Army JAGs work there.

This last summer, I was a 3L USAO Legal Intern. I believe that lateral hires from JAG to DOJ usually have a lot to do with proximity. For example, if a Navy base happens to be near the local USAO, that USAO will probably get more former Navy JAG applicants than other offices. I am guessing there are at least a couple Navy bases located within the California Central District. We had two former AF JAGs in our office, a fact which I think is linked to the AF base on the edge of town. The US Attorney and First Assistant spoke pretty highly of all former JAGs, regardless of their service.

It's also my understanding that you can be placed with Army Corps of Engineers while you are an Army JAG. My buddy got a letter inviting him to apply for ACoE--he is Army Ed Delay.

[Eagle]

Thanks guys.

[3milesup]

Hi all. Just curious ... of all those accepted (congratulations!) how many of you were DA in the Navy??

Personally, I am going to try again. I put too much work into my applications this first time to just surrender. Crappy part is I now have to wait a whole year for Navy JAG again. I'm also going to apply to the Army in November and look at the USCG (though, I know they accept a mere lucky few).

I also am trying to resist doing a 20-20 analysis: what was it about my application that didn't put me over? My interview? My essay? Was I too old? Or b/c there were so many applicants they needed to "thin" out the applications so they said "anyone who hasn't applied before we'll reject". Anyway, I suppose its best to just move on and try again.

Again, best of luck to the rest of you who made it -- cherish the offer -- there are scores on this board that would gladly be in your shoes!

[TenaciousD]

Hi all. Just curious ... of all those accepted (congratulations!) how many of you were DA in the Navy??

Personally, I am going to try again. I put too much work into my applications this first time to just surrender. Crappy part is I now have to wait a whole year for Navy JAG again. I'm also going to apply to the Army in November and look at the USCG (though, I know they accept a mere lucky few).

I also am trying to resist doing a 20-20 analysis: what was it about my application that didn't put me over? My interview? My essay? Was I too old? Or b/c there were so many applicants they needed to "thin" out the applications so they said "anyone who hasn't applied before we'll reject". Anyway, I suppose its best to just move on and try again.

Again, best of luck to the rest of you who made it -- cherish the offer -- there are scores on this board that would gladly be in your shoes!

I'm a Navy JAG DA applicant; as I said above, I'm in the indeterminate limbo stage of "recommended as alternate." And I've been rejected several times by the other branches (3x USAF, 1x Army) so I know how hard it is to analyze your application for weakness and, more fundamentally, determine what is to gain from the process at all. But I do think some sober reflection is a good idea, particularly after the sting starts to wear off; improving the next application packet is always a good idea. And despite my cockiness and love of my initial application, I've found ways to improve my packet each time.

[Eagle]

Me too, on both counts. I'm interested in the odds and also the timeline: are we going to begin the second phase of the process (medical, recruiter, etc) like alternate jurors, or do we sit back for a little while and wait for things to sort out?

Better than a no, particularly given the crazy odds unique to NAVY DAP; I'd be happier with a yes, but I'm not complaining.

For whatever it's worth, this quote is from someone on Navy JAG'S facebook page: "I know someone who was selected as an alternate and got in. From what I understand. His advice to me, should I ever find myself on the list, was to get all my paperwork done as quickly as possible. When they need someone from the alternate pool, they don't wait for the person at the top of the list to get their paperwork done. They apparently go through the list until they hit someone who is good to go, and that person gets the slot. So, get everything squared away with the recruiter ASAP. Your regional recruiter should be getting in touch with you soon."

[clarencethomas09]

When should one expect a call(a proxy for good news) or more likely a letter( a proxy for bad news) from the AF?

[3milesup]

Hi all. Just curious ... of all those accepted (congratulations!) how many of you were DA in the Navy??

Personally, I am going to try again. I put too much work into my applications this first time to just surrender. Crappy part is I now have to wait a whole year for Navy JAG again. I'm also going to apply to the Army in November and look at the USCG (though, I know they accept a mere lucky few).

I also am trying to resist doing a 20-20 analysis: what was it about my application that didn't put me over? My interview? My essay? Was I too old? Or b/c there were so many applicants they needed to "thin" out the applications so they said "anyone who hasn't applied before we'll reject". Anyway, I suppose its best to just move on and try again.

Again, best of luck to the rest of you who made it -- cherish the offer -- there are scores on this board that would gladly be in your shoes!

I'm a Navy JAG DA applicant; as I said above, I'm in the indeterminate limbo stage of "recommended as alternate." And I've been rejected several times by the other branches (3x USAF, 1x Army) so I know how hard it is to analyze your application for weakness and, more fundamentally, determine what is to gain from the process at all. But I do think some sober reflection is a good idea, particularly after the sting starts to wear off; improving the next application packet is always a good idea. And despite my cockiness and love of my initial application, I've found ways to improve my packet each time.

Thanks TD. Once the sting fades away, I'll go back and work on improving my applications. One more question: is it advisable that I ask for updated letters from my recommenders? Or can I just re-submit my letters from this round. I'd rather not have to inconvenience my mentors again. Good luck getting off the alternate list.

[TenaciousD]

Hi all. Just curious ... of all those accepted (congratulations!) how many of you were DA in the Navy??

Personally, I am going to try again. I put too much work into my applications this first time to just surrender. Crappy part is I now have to wait a whole year for Navy JAG again. I'm also going to apply to the Army in November and look at the USCG (though, I know they accept a mere lucky few).

I also am trying to resist doing a 20-20 analysis: what was it about my application that didn't put me over? My interview? My essay? Was I too old? Or b/c there were so many applicants they needed to "thin" out the applications so they said "anyone who hasn't applied before we'll reject". Anyway, I suppose its best to just move on and try again.

Again, best of luck to the rest of you who made it -- cherish the offer -- there are scores on this board that would gladly be in your shoes!

I'm a Navy JAG DA applicant; as I said above, I'm in the indeterminate limbo stage of "recommended as alternate." And I've been rejected several times by the other branches (3x USAF, 1x Army) so I know how hard it is to analyze your application for weakness and, more fundamentally, determine what is to gain from the process at all. But I do think some sober reflection is a good idea, particularly after the sting starts to wear off; improving the next application packet is always a good idea. And despite my cockiness and love of my initial application, I've found ways to improve my packet each time.

Thanks TD. Once the sting fades away, I'll go back and work on improving my applications. One more question: is it advisable that I ask for updated letters from my recommenders? Or can I just re-submit my letters from this round. I'd rather not have to inconvenience my mentors again. Good luck getting off the alternate list.

Given that I'm not yet a JAG, take this with something slightly stronger than salt, but if it's within the next two months or so, I'd say don't bother to get new letters; after that, if anything has changed a slightly modified letter seems better, and if nothing is new then just have them issue a new letter with a new date.

[IrishBruin]

Hey there, especially Ed and Eagle. I'm a Navy JAG alternate too. Are you both SP applicants?

Does anyone know anything about the application/acceptance stats, when we're supposed to get contacted by a recruiter, etc?

Congrats by the way!

[Eagle]

Hey there, especially Ed and Eagle. I'm a Navy JAG alternate too. Are you both SP applicants?

Does anyone know anything about the application/acceptance stats, when we're supposed to get contacted by a recruiter, etc?

Congrats by the way!

Congrats to you as well! Yes, I was an SP applicant. I don't know anything about the acceptance stats, but I would assume it is somewhere between 5-10%. I also don't know anything about when we'll be contacted by a recruiter. I'll post more info. as soon as it becomes available.

You also might try contacting the recruiter that interviewed you for some guidance. Unfortunately, the recruiter I interviewed with didn't even know that Navy JAG had alternate acceptance status. It must be a pretty new thing.

[Connelly]

Phenomenal thread. Thanks to all the contributors.

Some questions that I couldn't find answered so far:

1) What are the logistics of pursuing an LLM once a JAG? Is there a choice of schools, do you have designated time for it, etc.

2) Is it good to indicate that you would like to stay past the 4 year commitment and make a career of it? Assuming, obviously, that this is true. Also, if so, how would you get that across without sounding like you're looking to over-commit?

3) How are JAG judges selected?

4) Has anyone had luck working with their school's CSO on applications? I can't imagine they would have anything better to offer than this thread, but I'm curious.

[Eagle]

Phenomenal thread. Thanks to all the contributors.

Some questions that I couldn't find answered so far:

1) What are the logistics of pursuing an LLM once a JAG? Is there a choice of schools, do you have designated time for it, etc.

2) Is it good to indicate that you would like to stay past the 4 year commitment and make a career of it? Assuming, obviously, that this is true. Also, if so, how would you get that across without sounding like you're looking to over-commit?

3) How are JAG judges selected?

4) Has anyone had luck working with their school's CSO on applications? I can't imagine they would have anything better to offer than this thread, but I'm curious.

1) Yes, it is possible. I think it varies from branch to branch. I know the Army JAG school in Charlottesville offers an ABA-accredited LLM in military law, which I believe is available to all branches.

2) I actually got that question during my interview with Army JAG. I thought it wouldn't sound honest if I were to say I'm committed indefinitely. I told the recruiter that I was definitely committed to four years, but beyond that I couldn't make any guarantees. I think he approved of that answer because it was obviously genuine. Also, the recruiters probably understand that a lot of JAGs don't serve beyond 4 years.

3) You fill out an application and interview with recruiting officers either at your school's campus or at a local base/recruiting center. The logistics vary from branch to branch, but you can check out their respective websites for detailed information. The Corps.' facebook pages are also great sources of information.

4) My school wasn't very familiar with the application process. They were more geared toward getting students jobs with civilian gov't agencies and big law firms. That said, they did arrange for Army, Navy, and AF to visit our campus for OCI. They were also willing to review the essay portion of my apps. for common sense writing stuff.

[brownshoe]

Regarding LLMs -- for the Navy, their goal is that 100% of all JAGs get one at some point in their career. I think most people do it during their second or third tours. Not sure which schools are approved, but many people go to one of the DC schools - GW or GULC - and some go to the Army's at UVA. The Navy pays all tuition plus your normal salary. Only certain degrees are allowed - common ones are intl law, enviromental law, and trial ad.

[Connelly]

Thank you for the responses.