Military Law Forum

[shock259]

Good luck on your interview! I'm also curious if anyone has any input on your questions, as I will be interviewing soon with the AFROTC as well (but I'm doing GLP). I messaged a few people who have done it before on this forum and I was also told that a suit may be a little much. I was planning on slacks, collared shirt, and a tie (no jacket). This may still be a little overdressed, but better for caution, I think.

Also: are you bringing any application stuff to your interview? I was thinking a resume may be a good idea, but wasn't sure.

I've begun assembling my GLP application. Eek! The good news is that 4 of my letter writers have agreed to write and all seem enthusiastic. My 5th one is my legal writing professor, who I will not be asking to write the letter until we get closer to December. Next on my list: full length photograph and motivational statement.

[Americana]

Congratulations to you both! Excuse my ignorance, but what does a reservist actually entail? Are you considered a civilian, etc.?

Again, congrats!

Thanks Essien! Jess and I had both been waiting around in limbo to hear on the April boards so it was a long time coming.

A USAR JAG Officer commissions like any other officer, takes the same oath, and goes through the same training as an active duty JAG Officer--we just are not active duty and we maintain our civilian lawyer careers. The commitment is 8 years, during which time you drill one weekend each month and complete a 2-week (minimum) assignment each year wherever your LSO (Legal Support Organization) sends you. Technically we can be deployed, although from what I hear there are so many active and reserve Officers who want to be deployed right now that the risk is not high for reservists who would prefer not to (which is the case for me right now given my civilian job and my family situation).

[tgunz]

Hi Jess and Americana. I got an email last week notifying me of April 2011 JAG reserve selection, but no phone call. Did they say anything on the phone as to when we can expect to get started, etc? The email wanted my SS#, for verification it's me I assume.

Also, have you let your employer know? That's going to be a tough one. Do you think your firms will be understanding?

Congrats and thanks for any info!

[hasmith]

Also, have you let your employer know? That's going to be a tough one. Do you think your firms will be understanding?

My employer was very understanding about my committment to the reserves. Even if your employer is not understanding, there are numerous laws that protect you.

[Rocktober2007]

Hi Jess and Americana. I got an email last week notifying me of April 2011 JAG reserve selection, but no phone call. Did they say anything on the phone as to when we can expect to get started, etc? The email wanted my SS#, for verification it's me I assume.

Also, have you let your employer know? That's going to be a tough one. Do you think your firms will be understanding?

Congrats and thanks for any info!

Congrats, Tgunz! The only thing they said in the phone call that was not mentioned in the e-mail was that they needed our SSN to submit to Congress so our names could be "scrolled." On the phone, they only asked for my last four digits though.

I just graduated in May and am still looking for a full time civilian job, so I guess I"m in a slightly different boat: how to let prospective employers know.

[tgunz]

Hey thanks you too. You just graduated this May 2011? Well maybe you won't have to tell anyone about it until after all the training is done. That might be okay if training is slotted earlier than later. Any ideas on when JAOBC will start for us? -Tom

[Rocktober2007]

I'm hoping we get to go to the July 2012 JAOBC. The February class is probably already full and I doubt we would have enough time to get all our paperwork/medical clearance stuff in order. I really hope we don't have to wait for the October class.

[tgunz]

I agree that July '11 would be best. Did you also apply for active duty since you just graduated? Are you still waiting for Bar results?

[tgunz]

Hey Hasmith. Thanks for posting a reply. Can I ask how many years you were at your firm before going reserves? Also, did you do the whole 4 months in a row? Thanks.


My employer was very understanding about my committment to the reserves. Even if your employer is not understanding, there are numerous laws that protect you.[/quote]

[Americana]

Congrats Tom! I didn't get anything from the JARO office until a voicemail today, which said they sent an email (which I never received).

I've been practicing for two years and told my employer when I applied in April, just to make sure they were on board. Once I allayed their initial concerns that I was trying to make a career change, they were supportive. The trickiest part is the 4 months away from work for training ("so... are you expecting us to pay you while you're gone?").

Speaking of which... anyone have any idea what our pay will be like at JAOBC (i.e., based on a salary of X dollars / year)? My firm has hinted that they will supplement that amount to keep me in line with my current salary--which would be very big of them since they could just tell me to screw off...

[tgunz]

Hey Americana. I'm prior service active duty, so from what I know, we will get FT pay at whatever rank you'll be comissioned at, since we'll be in an active status during the training phase. If JAG is different then someone please let me know, but I assume we get comissioned before starting jag school.

[tgunz]

Americana. By saying career change you mean "military law" vs your civilian practice? Or you mean they thought you were going into the Army for good?

[joshlyman]

I wanted to know if anyone had any insight (particularly for the Navy) whether certain types of practice concentration would necessarily keep you in a general area of duty stations or not. I.e. if I wanted to do criminal prosecution and courts martial would that basically relegate me to the washington navy yard?

Also I remember trolling this forum a long time ago and it seemed as though because (1) foreign and ship deployments had so few slots and (2) so many people actually wanted them that a new Navy jag could basically count on being stateside the first few years. Is this still true? Any insight would be great.

[Americana]

Americana. By saying career change you mean "military law" vs your civilian practice? Or you mean they thought you were going into the Army for good?

They were just worried I was unhappy with civil litigation and exploring another career path. I assured them this was not the case and they were accepting.

I have no prior service, so I'll be commissioned as a 1LT. We do take the oath before JAOBC so we'll be commissioned with our respective rank before we report to Ft. Lee. I'm actually hoping for the Oct. 2012 class, since that one is broken up so much (Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK day, etc.).

My LSO has told me I can take the oath and begin drilling with them as soon as I receive my papers, so hopefully this will be sooner rather than later. It would be nice to have that experience, which would make for a softer transition to JAOBC.

[tgunz]

Do you keep in contact with your LSO? I haven't since the interview. As far as making the transition "softer" to JAOBC, that I'm not too worried about that, since I'm looking forward to going back in the military. THe sooner the better for me, although October 2012 would be fine with me as well.

[Rocktober2007]

I haven't spoken to my LSO since the interview either. I was wondering if we should contact them or just wait for all the paperwork from JARO.

[tgunz]

Although I would like to know more about the timeline as well, it's probably better to wait for the "welcome" packet from JARO. They seem to be the ones controlling things for now. When I get notice of the welcome packet, I'll be sure to post here. Until then, hope all is well. BTW, what city are you in?

[Americana]

I don't know about Jess, but I'm in Atlanta. My LSO contact was very good about keeping touch with us, responding to questions, etc. Which is good, since JARO has been so bogged down that I would have otherwise had no real idea what the heck was going on during this time!

Where are you guys located?

[Rocktober2007]

I'm in the Los Angeles area.

Do you guys know what LSOs think about mobilizations/deployments? I'm thinking about requesting a TDS mobilization right away if there are any available and I haven't found a full time civilian job yet.

[tgunz]

I'm in LA area too. I don't know how you guys can post so much during the day. I'm just on my phone. Keep in touch.

[air_maestro]

Hey guys. Just read through the thread today...so much info, thanks to everyone who contributed. I'm very interested in JAG, mainly AF but I'm also open to NAVY as well. I also want to look into applying to OYCP, but I can't seem to find the app anywhere. The AF site sends me to USAJobs.gov (which is a dead link) and even when I search there only reserve postings show up. From what I've gleaned from this thread the deadline is approaching so I want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Any suggestions?

[Patrick Bateman]

Hey guys. Just read through the thread today...so much info, thanks to everyone who contributed. I'm very interested in JAG, mainly AF but I'm also open to NAVY as well. I also want to look into applying to OYCP, but I can't seem to find the app anywhere. The AF site sends me to USAJobs.gov (which is a dead link) and even when I search there only reserve postings show up. From what I've gleaned from this thread the deadline is approaching so I want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Any suggestions?

OYCP application info is under the "Apply" tab on the AF JAG Recruiting site. USAJOBS is exclusively for civilian positions, like the 2L internship.

--LinkRemoved--

[air_maestro]

Hey guys. Just read through the thread today...so much info, thanks to everyone who contributed. I'm very interested in JAG, mainly AF but I'm also open to NAVY as well. I also want to look into applying to OYCP, but I can't seem to find the app anywhere. The AF site sends me to USAJobs.gov (which is a dead link) and even when I search there only reserve postings show up. From what I've gleaned from this thread the deadline is approaching so I want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Any suggestions?

OYCP application info is under the "Apply" tab on the AF JAG Recruiting site. USAJOBS is exclusively for civilian positions, like the 2L internship.

--LinkRemoved--

Ahh thanks. I was following the internships/externships link. You're the man

[bkenney2]

Sorry if this has been asked, but some of the information earlier in this thread may be outdated. Does anyone know about entering JAG early. What branches have programs that take 1Ls or 2Ls? Or is it mostly direct appointment post bar? I am most interested in Army, but open to other branches. If anyone knows or has links (that would be awesome) let me know. Thanks.

[hasmith]

Sorry if this has been asked, but some of the information earlier in this thread may be outdated. Does anyone know about entering JAG early. What branches have programs that take 1Ls or 2Ls? Or is it mostly direct appointment post bar? I am most interested in Army, but open to other branches. If anyone knows or has links (that would be awesome) let me know. Thanks.

You can apply for Navy JAG in the beginning of your 2L year.