Military Law Forum

[Esquire]

1L summer intern with the Army. I also have an interview at the end of the month with the Navy and the AF. I was not interested in the USMC as I don't feel that suits me. So, as you can imagine, I'm elated to have at least a shot with each three branches. I'm not sure which way to lean just yet but it doesn't hurt me to keep my options open.

If anyone has any direct questions, let me know. I don't think I'll have time to answer general questions that require more of an essay than simple Q&A. I can also ask questions to the more senior JAGs, people enlisted, FLEPs, whatever you want.

[J-Rod]

1L summer intern with the Army. I also have an interview at the end of the month with the Navy and the AF. I was not interested in the USMC as I don't feel that suits me. So, as you can imagine, I'm elated to have at least a shot with each three branches. I'm not sure which way to lean just yet but it doesn't hurt me to keep my options open.

If anyone has any direct questions, let me know. I don't think I'll have time to answer general questions that require more of an essay than simple Q&A. I can also ask questions to the more senior JAGs, people enlisted, FLEPs, whatever you want.

I'm interning at the JAG school, where are you at? I've also bid on interviews with the Army, Navy, AF, and Marines for the fall OCI here at UVA

are you applying to the student programs for AF and Navy?

[Esquire]

PMed.

And yes, I bid for those student program interview spots and got them. Humbled and elated.

[Rotor]

It's been a while since a blatant recruiting post, but the previous posts make it seem appropriate: Go Navy!

[prezidentv8]

How do the internships work? I'm curious because I am 99% sure I don't qualify (medical) for service and the internship seems pretty great.

[iagolives]

Go Navy!

TITCR!

[J-Rod]

PMed.

And yes, I bid for those student program interview spots and got them. Humbled and elated.

Awesome, congrats! I won't find out if I get them for another 3 weeks or so

[Patrick Bateman]

quote="prezidentv8"]How do the internships work? I'm curious because I am 99% sure I don't qualify (medical) for service and the internship seems pretty great.[/quote]

At least with the Air Force, it is your 2L summer. You apply in the fall of 2L through http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

It is a 10 week program and is at the Legal Office of an Air Force Base. JAX will work with you in regard to what base you will be "stationed" at. You will be paid as a GS-9, roughly $25ish an hour with locality adjustments. USAF will not help you with housing (no billeting or BAH type situation), though you will be assigned a active duty JAG sponsor who will help you out with everything.

Depending on the base, you will spend roughly 5 weeks in Civil/General Law and 5 weeks in Military Justice. You will do plenty of substantive work, will sit in on all the meetings, and some cool stuff along the way.

You may be the only intern or one of three/four.

[Yointer]

How do the internships work? I'm curious because I am 99% sure I don't qualify (medical) for service and the internship seems pretty great.

Speaking from the Navy side, the internships last 10 weeks and are offered in both 1L and 2L summers. My understanding is that students typically spend the entire time either in a NLSO office doing defense advocacy and legal assistance, or in a RLSO office doing prosecution advocacy and the like. This is dependent to some degree on where you end up being stationed. Naturally, the small bases tend to have only a single intern in a given office, while larger bases may have more.

As for the medical disqualification, this isn't something that affects your eligibility for the internship. It might be worth asking someone familiar with MEPS whether the condition is, in fact, disqualifying. There is also the possibility of obtaining a waiver for certain conditions, although obviously not for really serious problems like missing arms and legs and the like.

[Patrick Bateman]

How do the internships work? I'm curious because I am 99% sure I don't qualify (medical) for service and the internship seems pretty great.

Speaking from the Navy side, the internships last 10 weeks and are offered in both 1L and 2L summers. My understanding is that students typically spend the entire time either in a NLSO office doing defense advocacy and legal assistance, or in a RLSO office doing prosecution advocacy and the like. This is dependent to some degree on where you end up being stationed. Naturally, the small bases tend to have only a single intern in a given office, while larger bases may have more.

As for the medical disqualification, this isn't something that affects your eligibility for the internship. It might be worth asking someone familiar with MEPS whether the condition is, in fact, disqualifying. There is also the possibility of obtaining a waiver for certain conditions, although obviously not for really serious problems like missing arms and legs and the like.

Despite being a Squid, Yointer raises a great point.

The Surgeon General from each service can grant you a medical waiver depending on your medical condition. It never hurts to make a few calls.

[Yointer]

Despite being a Squid, Yointer raises a great point.

I'm sorry to quibble with details, Patrick, but I don't want to misrepresent myself. I'm just a summer intern, not a proper squid. Actually, I've yet to make my final decision on which branch to work for after graduation. This thread has been immensely helpful to that end.

[Patrick Bateman]

Despite being a Squid, Yointer raises a great point.

I'm sorry to quibble with details, Patrick, but I don't want to misrepresent myself. I'm just a summer intern, not a proper squid. Actually, I've yet to make my final decision on which branch to work for after graduation. This thread has been immensely helpful to that end.

Ah, my mistake.

Best of luck with the internship and your commission down the road.

[Arredondo]

Yointer,

If you don't mind me asking, is the Navy internship paid?

[Yointer]

Yointer,

If you don't mind me asking, is the Navy internship paid?

No, unfortunately it is not. The position does qualify for a forgivable public interest loan from my law school however. That, in conjunction with the fact that I'm living in a relative's apartment and not paying rent, makes the financial burden quite manageable.

[eodops]

Hello All:

This looks like a lively group!

I am an Air Force ROTC GLP cadet. In fact, I am leaving for field training in four days. I have ten years of enlisted time before law school, so I have been around for awhile. If anyone has any GLP specific questions (before 18 July or after 15 August) let me know. I know that the program is a bit of a black hole. If not, bump, I guess!

[patrickd139]

Hello All:

This looks like a lively group!

I am an Air Force ROTC GLP cadet. In fact, I am leaving for field training in four days. I have ten years of enlisted time before law school, so I have been around for awhile. If anyone has any GLP specific questions (before 18 July or after 15 August) let me know. I know that the program is a bit of a black hole. If not, bump, I guess!

First off, welcome to TLS. From someone with absolutely zero military service thus-far, thanks for your service and for providing information for future and current law students on this forum.

In part because of this thread, and also talking with several SJAs and JAG officers IRL, I'm pretty sure I want to go the JAG route. GLP seems to be the best way to do this, since you are guaranteed a JAG position upon completion. There is an AF ROTC detatchment on the main campus of my law school's university, so I think I'm good to go as far as enrolling in the GLP program.

My first question is this: at what point during the 1L year should one apply to the AF GLP program? I've looked online and only found out that you sit for the February board. When should I be interviewing with an SJA and filing paperwork?

Second: how flexible is the program regarding summer associates positions/judicial internships? Once you become a GLP member, does the AF fill your summers in law school with officer training, JAG corps internships, etc.?

[J-Rod]

Hello All:

This looks like a lively group!

I am an Air Force ROTC GLP cadet. In fact, I am leaving for field training in four days. I have ten years of enlisted time before law school, so I have been around for awhile. If anyone has any GLP specific questions (before 18 July or after 15 August) let me know. I know that the program is a bit of a black hole. If not, bump, I guess!

First off, welcome to TLS. From someone with absolutely zero military service thus-far, thanks for your service and for providing information for future and current law students on this forum.

In part because of this thread, and also talking with several SJAs and JAG officers IRL, I'm pretty sure I want to go the JAG route. GLP seems to be the best way to do this, since you are guaranteed a JAG position upon completion. There is an AF ROTC detatchment on the main campus of my law school's university, so I think I'm good to go as far as enrolling in the GLP program.

My first question is this: at what point during the 1L year should one apply to the AF GLP program? I've looked online and only found out that you sit for the February board. When should I be interviewing with an SJA and filing paperwork?

Second: how flexible is the program regarding summer associates positions/judicial internships? Once you become a GLP member, does the AF fill your summers in law school with officer training, JAG corps internships, etc.?

You do spend one summer doing AF training, and the last two years doing regular ROTC stuff . . . so internships with firms/judges, etc. might be harder to come by.

Also, are you sure the air force is the branch you want to join? Make sure it is before you accept your commission if you are offered one. Not trying to steer you one way or the other, but just make sure to do all of your research

[patrickd139]

You do spend one summer doing AF training, and the last two years doing regular ROTC stuff . . . so internships with firms/judges, etc. might be harder to come by.

Also, are you sure the air force is the branch you want to join? Make sure it is before you accept your commission if you are offered one. Not trying to steer you one way or the other, but just make sure to do all of your research

Thanks for the quick response. If I'm reading your response correctly, you're saying that there is no ROTC requirement for your 1L year if you go the GLP route? That would certainly ease things a bit.

By process of elimination--I can't swim long distances/tread water for hours on end, can't hack Marine TBS--and personal preference, I've narrowed it down to the Army and Air Force. I hear nothing but good things about AF JAG and mixed reviews about Army JAG (from comissioned officers, enlisted personnel and JAG officers). Not to knock on any other branch, but it seems like the AF treats its people a little better from top to bottom.

In short, yes, I'm sure the AF is the branch I want.

[eodops]

Fielding your second question first.... The GLP program seems to be very flexible. As an AFROTC cadet you will have to attend field training during your 1L or 2L Summer. 4 or 6 weeks baking in the Alabama sun. The rest of your Summer time is totally up to you. If possible I would complete field training after your first year, as you should be able to get a better Summer internship as a 2L.

In regard to your first question, the best answer is early! If memory serves, the package is due on 01 Feb. My advice is to complete everything NLT December and schedule your interview for early January. I had the luxury of visiting the base where I interviewed a few months ahead of time and watching a court marshal in progress. If you can do this, I would highly recommend it.

As far as commitment goes, you do not incur any obligation by being accepted into GLP. You are not obligated to serve until you sign the contract (during your 2L year).

Hopefully some of this is helpful. Good Luck, if you choose to apply!

[ArkansasFan]

How competitive is JAG actually? I'm sure there are variables there ranging from branch of service to an applicant's stats. Collectively, if this can be answered, what is the likelihood of getting a JAG spot? I guess a scenario could be assuming a guy goes to law school with no intent other than going JAG, is going to typical State U., gets average-good grades, and is the typical American Joe. What are his odds?

[J-Rod]

How competitive is JAG actually? I'm sure there are variables there ranging from branch of service to an applicant's stats. Collectively, if this can be answered, what is the likelihood of getting a JAG spot? I guess a scenario could be assuming a guy goes to law school with no intent other than going JAG, is going to typical State U., gets average-good grades, and is the typical American Joe. What are his odds?

selection rate is like 10-15 percent, and that's for the student programs where you commission while in law school . . . direct appointment is more like 7-10 percent, or so I'm told by current JAG's

[afjag09]

Hello All:

This looks like a lively group!

I am an Air Force ROTC GLP cadet. In fact, I am leaving for field training in four days. I have ten years of enlisted time before law school, so I have been around for awhile. If anyone has any GLP specific questions (before 18 July or after 15 August) let me know. I know that the program is a bit of a black hole. If not, bump, I guess!

Maxwell 5 I presume? Good luck! I went through FT at Ellsworth in 2007 as an undergrad, back before they shortened it and made it a heck of a lot more fun IMO. With ten years prior E, I'm sure you'll have no problems.

Wow, this thread's blown up since I last checked in. Seems like most people here are opting for GLP or DAP, but if anyone has questions about AF Ed Delay (the blackest of black hole programs, I think) I might be able to help out. In any event, it's nice to see so much interest.

[Patrick Bateman]

I wanted to second AFJAG's comment on how great it is to have this much interest in JAG, irrespective of service branch.

As I am coming into my fourth month on the job at Base Legal, I continue to have zero regrets with my decision to go active duty. I absolutely love this job. Some days are extremely trying and the learning curve has been steep, but all in all, I would not go back and change anything. While I question the sanity of some of the Squadron Commanders we advise from time to time, I cannot say enough great things about the personnel in my office, enlisted and officer alike.

Best to luck of all of you looking to earn a commission or simply survive being in Montgomery, Alabama in July.

[ArkansasFan]

Does the military predominantly draw its JAG Corps members from a certain bank of law schools or is "becoming JAG" more up to the applicant? What I mean is must you be a top 25 law grad, top 50,..??..U. of Arkansas is #94 as ranked by TLS.

[ArkansasFan]

Does the military predominantly draw its JAG Corps members from a certain bank of law schools or is "becoming JAG" more up to the applicant? What I mean is must you be a top 25 law grad, top 50,..??..U. of Arkansas is #94 as ranked by TLS although I personally don't care anything about rankings.