Military Law Forum

[mj18]

This may sound like a dumb question, and sorry if it was already answered, but what bar exam should I be looking into registering for if this type of law was to interest me?

[hasmith]

This may sound like a dumb question, and sorry if it was already answered, but what bar exam should I be looking into registering for if this type of law was to interest me?

It doesn't matter, you only need to be registered in one state. Many people will simply take the bar exam in the state where there school is located for convenience. Perhaps if you live in a jurisdiction with a low passage rate it is worth taking it somewhere else, but it seems like a pain to me.

[mj18]

This may sound like a dumb question, and sorry if it was already answered, but what bar exam should I be looking into registering for if this type of law was to interest me?

It doesn't matter, you only need to be registered in one state. Many people will simply take the bar exam in the state where there school is located for convenience. Perhaps if you live in a jurisdiction with a low passage rate it is worth taking it somewhere else, but it seems like a pain to me.

Alright, thank you!

[Patrick Bateman]

This may sound like a dumb question, and sorry if it was already answered, but what bar exam should I be looking into registering for if this type of law was to interest me?

I always recommend the bar of the state in which you would practice in the event you seperated from active duty service.

In the Air Force, the timing of your bar results will impact which OTS/JASOC class to which you are assigned, but there really is no reason to pick a state simply to move your potential class dates around.

[brownshoe]

This may sound like a dumb question, and sorry if it was already answered, but what bar exam should I be looking into registering for if this type of law was to interest me?

I always recommend the bar of the state in which you would practice in the event you seperated from active duty service.

In the Air Force, the timing of your bar results will impact which OTS/JASOC class to which you are assigned, but there really is no reason to pick a state simply to move your potential class dates around.

Same for the Navy. I actually know people that did take a bar that allowed them to got to NJS (Naval Justice School) 4-6 months earlier than they would have otherwise been able to. Obviously, it's a personal choice, but if you have no ties to a particular state, it might be worth it - 6 months of salary + health care can be critical for some people with young families.

[mj18]

Thank you all for the insight. I've taken an interest in this area relatively recently so I don't know much about the process and am trying to learn as much as possible. I really appreciate all of the advice.

[nomargfan5]

Bateman,

Are your CLE requirements for your state the same regardless of being in JAG? Is there some kind of waiver? Thanks!

[Patrick Bateman]

Bateman,

Are your CLE requirements for your state the same regardless of being in JAG? Is there some kind of waiver? Thanks!

At least in the great state of Illinois, active duty personnel are exempt from CLE. I just called after I was commissioned and sent them a copy of my AD orders - have not had to deal with it since. This varies state by state, so it is best to check with your state bar.

[nomargfan5]

Thanks, Bateman! PA and NJ also give waivers!

[Esquire]

Yep. So does NY. Now I have to worry about paying bar dues. I'm not sure I can find whether military are exempt from that.

[Patrick Bateman]

Yep. So does NY. Now I have to worry about paying bar dues. I'm not sure I can find whether military are exempt from that.

Air Force JAG repays up to $350 (don't quote me on this figure but it is in the ballpark) of our annual bar dues.

[firemed]

I am very interested in trying for this (National Guard if nothing else), but also Army and Navy (too old for Marines or AF). I recently found out I most likely (like 90+% chance) do not have the kidney disease that kept me out many years ago (no kidney disease at all, in fact). So I am rereading Starship Troopers and doing research on websites.

I just wanted to thank y'all for taking the time to fill this thread with so much information. I am about 10 pages in and I am really learning a lot.

[Patrick Bateman]

I am very interested in trying for this (National Guard if nothing else), but also Army and Navy (too old for Marines or AF). I recently found out I most likely (like 90+% chance) do not have the kidney disease that kept me out many years ago (no kidney disease at all, in fact). So I am rereading Starship Troopers and doing research on websites.

I just wanted to thank y'all for taking the time to fill this thread with so much information. I am about 10 pages in and I am really learning a lot.

"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor..."

Such an outstanding book. Good luck to you!

[firemed]

So I have a question:

I checked with the AF and they said it would be worth applying for a waiver. Which is awesome! There is an issue though...

Here I am with five options- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. This is the order I would rank them in of where I would like to serve. The issue, however, is that the Army (unless I missed something) doesn't take you until after you have passed the bar (ditto with NG), but the majority of candidates for the Navy and Air Force get in during their 2L year. So... what would y'all do under those circumstances? I mean, I would like to apply to all of them to maximise my chances, but I have a definite preference for Army or Navy over the others. And a slight preference for Army over Navy, but I know the Navy only takes 5 direct appointments a year.

Any advice? What would you do?

[Patrick Bateman]

So I have a question:

I checked with the AF and they said it would be worth applying for a waiver. Which is awesome! There is an issue though...

Here I am with five options- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. This is the order I would rank them in of where I would like to serve. The issue, however, is that the Army (unless I missed something) doesn't take you until after you have passed the bar (ditto with NG), but the majority of candidates for the Navy and Air Force get in during their 2L year. So... what would y'all do under those circumstances? I mean, I would like to apply to all of them to maximise my chances, but I have a definite preference for Army or Navy over the others. And a slight preference for Army over Navy, but I know the Navy only takes 5 direct appointments a year.

Any advice? What would you do?

The Air Force gets its JAGs from both 2Ls/3Ls through the ROTC programs, Graduate Law Program/One Year College Program. The bulk of us come through the Direct Appointment Program, which can be applied for as early as 3L, but you do not commission until you pass the bar.

I'm fairly certain the Army hires through the same general sort of programs, both ROTC and direct appointment. There are a number of highly qualified Army guys on this board, I'm sure they will be able to cover this in greater detail.

You are correct regarding the Navy hiring almost exclusively out of 2L.

[firemed]

The Air Force gets its JAGs from both 2Ls/3Ls through the ROTC programs, Graduate Law Program/Once Year College Program. The bulk of us come through the Direct Appointment Program, which can be applied for as early as 3L, but you do not commission until you pass the bar.

I'm fairly certain the Army hires through the same general sort of programs, both ROTC and direct appointment. There are a number of highly qualified Army guys on this board, I'm sure they will be able to cover this in greater detail.

You are correct regarding the Navy hiring almost exclusively out of 2L.

Thank you for that information!

Well, if the Air Force gets a lot of their candidates through Direct Appointment then all I really need to worry about is whether I am willing to give up Army for Navy.

If any of the Army guys/gals on here can let me know if there is another program other than Direct Appointment that I missed, that would be awesome.

To be totally honest these are just preferences, not absolutes. Any chance to serve my country in the Armed Services is fine with me.

[hasmith]

You are correct regarding the Navy hiring almost exclusively out of 2L.

The Navy gets the majority of its JAGs through the student program, but that program is open to both 2Ls and 3Ls.

[Americana]

Response from Army JAG Reserve office re April 2011 applicants:

"The results have not yet been confirmed by TJAG. They should be out prior
to the next board. Thank you for your patience."

E.g... Hurry up and wait!

[Rocktober2007]

Response from Army JAG Reserve office re April 2011 applicants:

"The results have not yet been confirmed by TJAG. They should be out prior
to the next board. Thank you for your patience."

E.g... Hurry up and wait!

Before the due date of the next board or the results of the next board? We could be waiting for a while, lol.

[Americana]

Response from Army JAG Reserve office re April 2011 applicants:

"The results have not yet been confirmed by TJAG. They should be out prior
to the next board. Thank you for your patience."

E.g... Hurry up and wait!

Before the due date of the next board or the results of the next board? We could be waiting for a while, lol.

I wondered the same thing... It seemed like she was saying prior to the next board results. Who the hell knows at this point. My wife is getting pretty irritated and would like to know if I'm going to be gone for four months.

[Perch]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what is more important to being commissioned: the caliber of school that you attended, or the rank within your respective class? obviously there would be a huge difference between a T14 and TTTT, but as a general rule which is more important?

thanks all.

[CelticLily]

I think it's safe for me to assume that those of us that are interested in JAG Corps think that we have somewhat of an idea of what the lifestyle is like/ what to expect which is why we are pursuing it. For those of you that are current JAGs what surprised you the most [either positive or negative] after reporting to your first duty station?

[Esquire]

So I have a question:

I checked with the AF and they said it would be worth applying for a waiver. Which is awesome! There is an issue though...

Here I am with five options- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. This is the order I would rank them in of where I would like to serve. The issue, however, is that the Army (unless I missed something) doesn't take you until after you have passed the bar (ditto with NG), but the majority of candidates for the Navy and Air Force get in during their 2L year. So... what would y'all do under those circumstances? I mean, I would like to apply to all of them to maximise my chances, but I have a definite preference for Army or Navy over the others. And a slight preference for Army over Navy, but I know the Navy only takes 5 direct appointments a year.

Any advice? What would you do?

Army gets in via Direct Appointment. The earliest you can be picked up for a commission is as a 3L. Same with USAF. Navy or USMC will pull you as a 2L.

Good choice on the Army.

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what is more important to being commissioned: the caliber of school that you attended, or the rank within your respective class? obviously there would be a huge difference between a T14 and TTTT, but as a general rule which is more important?

thanks all.

No one can say definitively. Who knows what criteria they use. From the Army's publicly released selections, I think they purposely pull from different ranges of law schools.

[akeller2891]

Has anyone been through the AF JAG One Year College Program?

I am about to start my 2L year and am VERY interested in this program. Any advice/information would be greatly appreciated!!

[Rocktober2007]

RE: Army Active Duty 2011 Fall Board

JARO has not updated the website since the spring 2011 board, so it still says the deadline is March 1, 2011. However, if you log into the application, the active duty application is available with an AUGUST 1ST 2011 DEADLINE. This has got to be some sort of mistake, but I'm still going to call JARO first thing tomorrow morning to double check.

Edit: The 8/1/2011 app was gone when I logged in this morning. Whew!