Military Law Forum

[shock259]

Do either of you have any more specific advice? I'm not due up for that interview in a while, but I would love any help. Do you remember any questions by any chance?

[CelticLily]

+1, what made the interview so different?

[Rocky Estoppel]

I did the Navy Interview last year. We aren't allowed to discuss the questions that were asked in the interview. However, I can tell you that the type of questions asked will place you in a situation in which you will have to discuss how you would solve a real life problem/dilemma. They are definitely looking for certain kinds of responses to these questions.

I would suspect the best way to prepare for an interview like this is to know and expect what the Navy in particular is looking for in an answer. But take that with a grain of salt because I have not been selected yet (still applying in my 3L year).

The good (and maybe bad) news about the interview is that it is good for a couple of years I believe, so you do not have to interview again in your 3L year to apply again.

[Rocktober2007]

I thought the Navy interview was very awkward. There was no back and forth like in a normal interview/conversation, but just a series of questions with no responses. Hard to gauge when you've said enough or too much.

[doubled99]

How long was the interview?

[shock259]

Thanks guys!

[Negotiator]

Bit of an off-beat story here.

T1 (T2 before US News lumped the top hundred schools together to feel better about themselves), 3.1GPA, moot court, two uncles served USAF (MAJ and CPT), father USMC 1LT...
Graduated 2010.

Applied USAF throughout 3L, non-selected. The application spike from the economy hitting probably did not help. After the last go-around I decided to take a year to focus on learning the trade and give it one last shot. I've managed a successful if modest solo practice in the meantime. When you outprepare opposing counsel so thoroughly that he refers conflict work your way after a motion hearing, I take it as a sign I'm doing something right.

At the same time, I'm thoroughly convinced private practice is not where I want to be long term, at least not without the right opportunity presenting itself. There are a lot of honest and decent people working as private attorneys, who do things the right way. There are also a lot of people who'll take cases they're in no way competent to handle, inflate their time, or promise more than they can offer to get a quick score. As a guy starting out, I've run into the latter a lot more than the former, and I won't do the same stuff to compete in the market. It may be an antiquated concept, but you do it right or you don't do it at all.

I know that coming in after graduation is unconventional, but how can I maximize my chances on this one?

[Groundie]

AF And Army are definitely the best choices for people who have already graduated from law school, since the Navy gets most of their accessions through the student program. Keep applying to AF DAP. I'm debating whether or not to continue in that vein myself.

Right now I'm applying for Army with 3.0 GPA, moot court, good work experience, 2nd grad degree in relevant field, so we'll see.

[prezidentv8]

I thought the Navy interview was very awkward. There was no back and forth like in a normal interview/conversation, but just a series of questions with no responses. Hard to gauge when you've said enough or too much.

This is about accurate.

[Rocktober2007]

Bit of an off-beat story here.

T1 (T2 before US News lumped the top hundred schools together to feel better about themselves), 3.1GPA, moot court, two uncles served USAF (MAJ and CPT), father USMC 1LT...
Graduated 2010.

Applied USAF throughout 3L, non-selected. The application spike from the economy hitting probably did not help. After the last go-around I decided to take a year to focus on learning the trade and give it one last shot. I've managed a successful if modest solo practice in the meantime. When you outprepare opposing counsel so thoroughly that he refers conflict work your way after a motion hearing, I take it as a sign I'm doing something right.

At the same time, I'm thoroughly convinced private practice is not where I want to be long term, at least not without the right opportunity presenting itself. There are a lot of honest and decent people working as private attorneys, who do things the right way. There are also a lot of people who'll take cases they're in no way competent to handle, inflate their time, or promise more than they can offer to get a quick score. As a guy starting out, I've run into the latter a lot more than the former, and I won't do the same stuff to compete in the market. It may be an antiquated concept, but you do it right or you don't do it at all.

I know that coming in after graduation is unconventional, but how can I maximize my chances on this one?

Have you considered Army Reserve or National Guard? Active duty boards are so competitive right now, they shouldn't be overlooked.

[shock259]

Funny enough, the Navy JAG recruiters were on my campus today. They spoke a bit about the interview process. Apparently they recently redid the whole thing because it varied too much between interviewers. In her words, some interviewers "talked about sports" and some "grilled on civil procedure." So they had a university help them with concocting a new, uniform interview process.

What it is now is about 6 "scenario-based" questions that the interviewer puts to the students. The interviewers are specifically trained to not react to the interviewee's response, either verbal or non-verbal. They are simply supposed to grade your response on their rubric, and ask you the next question once you finish. They admitted it is rather off-putting for a lot of interviewees because there is no give-and-take like you would normally see in an interview.

Anyway, good news (for me) is that the Navy JAG 1L summer internship is still open this summer, unlike the Army one.

[mrh769]

Does anyone know how the Air Force results go out? Is it by phone call or letter? I've heard different information, from different sources, and am just trying to figure it out. Thanks!

[CFC_Essien]

I read from another message board the October AF selection list was posted today! I'm too afraid too look, however. Has anyone else heard this?

Best of luck to everyone.

[mrh769]

I read from another message board the October AF selection list was posted today! I'm too afraid too look, however. Has anyone else heard this?

Best of luck to everyone.

I read that, as well. However, on the official Air Force Facebook page, someone asked just yesterday about results and they replied that they won't be out until November. So, I would tend to believe that page. As far as I know, the Air Force doesn't publicly list their selections.

[Patrick Bateman]

Does anyone know how the Air Force results go out? Is it by phone call or letter? I've heard different information, from different sources, and am just trying to figure it out. Thanks!

The Air Force JAG DAP selection list for the Oct Board was posted yesterday morning. Those selected will receive a phone call from the interviewing SJA. Non-selects will receive a letter in the mail.

The selection is not posted publicly - only JAG Corps personnel have access.

[mrh769]

Does anyone know how the Air Force results go out? Is it by phone call or letter? I've heard different information, from different sources, and am just trying to figure it out. Thanks!

The Air Force JAG DAP selection list for the Oct Board was posted yesterday morning. Those selected will receive a phone call from the interviewing SJA. Non-selects will receive a letter in the mail.

The selection is not posted publicly - only JAG Corps personnel have access.[/quote

Thanks for clearing that up!

[CFC_Essien]

Thanks for clearing that up -- again, best of luck to everyone!

[mrh769]

Just wanted to let everyone know.....I called the 800-JAG-USAF number, because my husband is certain that they told him October board results would come in the form of a letter. They did indeed confirm that they are sending out letters, and not making phone calls. All this conflicting information is driving me crazy =)

Anyway, I don't know if the process has recently changed, but I'm personally not going to worry about a phone call, and just wait for the letter. This information may or may not help ease your mind, but I just wanted to pass the information along.

[Patrick Bateman]

Just wanted to let everyone know.....I called the 800-JAG-USAF number, because my husband is certain that they told him October board results would come in the form of a letter. They did indeed confirm that they are sending out letters, and not making phone calls. All this conflicting information is driving me crazy =)

Anyway, I don't know if the process has recently changed, but I'm personally not going to worry about a phone call, and just wait for the letter. This information may or may not help ease your mind, but I just wanted to pass the information along.

The standard practice had always been "selects - phone call; non-selects - letter." That said, they did just reboot our accessions process so they might have changed that as well. My apologies if my post was off.

[mrh769]

Just wanted to let everyone know.....I called the 800-JAG-USAF number, because my husband is certain that they told him October board results would come in the form of a letter. They did indeed confirm that they are sending out letters, and not making phone calls. All this conflicting information is driving me crazy =)

Anyway, I don't know if the process has recently changed, but I'm personally not going to worry about a phone call, and just wait for the letter. This information may or may not help ease your mind, but I just wanted to pass the information along.

The standard practice had always been "selects - phone call; non-selects - letter." That said, they did just reboot our accessions process so they might have changed that as well. My apologies if my post was off.

I have no idea what's the correct information. As for now, I'll choose to believe the letter for my own sanity. However, if anyone else could confirm what I was told, that would be great!

[jrb194]

...

[CFC_Essien]

Got the mail - no call, no letter. Plus side: still in the running! We should be getting our bar results soon, as well (Massachusetts) -- could be a depressing or exciting Fall!

[Patrick Bateman]

Question - I'm considering going the JAG route in the Marines. Does anyone know if any schools have LRAP programs that JAG lawyers qualify for? Isn't there a federal government loan repayment program too? Do Jag lawyers qualify for this?

In that our W-2 income is comparatively low, JAGs usually qualify for LRAP programs. My law school has been outstanding with helping me out with LRAP. That said, LRAP varies widely school by school, so you will have to contact whatever school are looking at or are presently enrolled.

The College Cost Reduction Act will forgive any Federal Loans after 10 years of service: http://www.finaid.org/loans/publicservice.phtml

JAGs qualify for CCRA - due to our income, we also can repay under Income Based Repayment and have comparatively lower monthly payments as we inch toward the 10 year mark.

Both the Air Force and Army have loan forgiveness programs in place though I would be shocked if they survive the coming rounds of budget cut.s

[kaesch]

Does anyone know how long it typically takes for the Army JAG Board to issue its selections? I was shocked that the Air Force only took 2 weeks to make its decisions (not that we will hear any time soon). What has been the historical wait time?

And then once you are selected for any branch, if you are so lucky, how long does it typically take to get through all the red tape and medical tests before you can go to OTS - assuming you don't have to wait for the bar results?

[dgsaudio]

I was selected for the GLP earlier this year. I received a call from my interviewing SJA AND received a letter informing me of my selection. The DAP procedures may be different, but this is what I experienced.

Just wanted to let everyone know.....I called the 800-JAG-USAF number, because my husband is certain that they told him October board results would come in the form of a letter. They did indeed confirm that they are sending out letters, and not making phone calls. All this conflicting information is driving me crazy =)

Anyway, I don't know if the process has recently changed, but I'm personally not going to worry about a phone call, and just wait for the letter. This information may or may not help ease your mind, but I just wanted to pass the information along.

The standard practice had always been "selects - phone call; non-selects - letter." That said, they did just reboot our accessions process so they might have changed that as well. My apologies if my post was off.

I have no idea what's the correct information. As for now, I'll choose to believe the letter for my own sanity. However, if anyone else could confirm what I was told, that would be great!