Military Law Forum

[rtb2008x]

3L here.. When is the time to apply to JAG?? I think some of the deadlines are approaching… Is there another chance to apply in the spring semester?

Thanks.

[Puttanesca]

3L here.. When is the time to apply to JAG?? I think some of the deadlines are approaching… Is there another chance to apply in the spring semester?

Thanks.

Check the websites for the most current information. For AF, there is generally a December board (deadline in November) and an April board (deadline in March). I'm pretty sure Army did not have a spring board this past spring. I think Navy had a February deadline earlier this year, but not sure. Things could always change, so if you can make some of the fall deadlines, do so.

[twenty]

Navy doesn't commission JAGs through ROTC, Air Force's GLP/OYCP is almost as competitive as their direct commission option, so your only option left is Army. Army ROTC will take you, but they won't put you directly into JAG, you'd have to transfer over from a different group probably once you hit First Lieutenant.

I can see a benefit to doing it this way being that you could probably go for GFRD/SMP/DEDNG for the full ride scholarship 2L and 3L. The bigger question is, would you be happy being a non-JAG reserve officer for 4 years if that's how things ended up?

Can you elaborate? My opportunity is through Army, currently. Why won't they put me into JAG (if I got picked up)?

If I don't get JAG and become an officer in a different branch of the Army, will I be able to continue to apply to JAG and hope to transfer?

1) I've never heard of a program Army sponsors that allows a law student to complete ROTC while in law school and then commission as a 1LT in the JAG upon graduation. I know sometimes Army will defer undergrad ROTC cadets to allow them to complete law school and then to commission into JAG, but those people are locked into the program out of undergrad.

1.5) Think about it this way (not perfectly accurate, but it will do the job). ROTC will commission you as a 2LT. The lowest level "slot" available for Army JAG is as a 1LT. This is similar to how you can't go directly into Civil Affairs from ROTC.

2) You MAY be able to, but don't count on it. Speaking from my ass, it is probably a lot easier going from AR/NG -> JAG AR/NG than trying to transfer as an active duty officer. Of course, it's easier picking up a JAG spot in Army Reserve regardless, so...

[anon sequitur]

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[MarkfromWI]

3L here.. When is the time to apply to JAG?? I think some of the deadlines are approaching… Is there another chance to apply in the spring semester?

Thanks.

Army JAG deadline is November 1, and they aren't doing a spring board in 2015.

[BruceWayne]

How long do you generally have to wait for your selected base to call and schedule your interview? Or will they email?

[Puttanesca]

How long do you generally have to wait for your selected base to call and schedule your interview? Or will they email?

If this is for AF, I called the base. Didn't wait for them to contact me. Just call and tell them you submitted your application and would like to schedule your interview.

[bouakedojo]

How long do you generally have to wait for your selected base to call and schedule your interview? Or will they email?

If this is for AF, I called the base. Didn't wait for them to contact me. Just call and tell them you submitted your application and would like to schedule your interview.

Yea, I would agree with this. Don't be an ass and call all the time, but a lot of JAG officers are just so busy that they forget to return calls. I was persistent with the office here when I called about interning, but just make sure you're being reasonable.

[AT9]

I started 1L last month and think that JAG (preferably AF, Navy second) would be my ideal "choice." As such, I'm trying to find ways to make myself more competitive in law school. Will joining and being active in a veteran' legal aid group/clinic be looked on favorably, or are school clinics relatively unimportant?

I'll keep reading through the thread, but any other tips about what I can do IN law school (aside from getting good grades) would be much appreciated. This thread has already been a huge help.

[DEG1989]

I started 1L last month and think that JAG (preferably AF, Navy second) would be my ideal "choice." As such, I'm trying to find ways to make myself more competitive in law school. Will joining and being active in a veteran' legal aid group/clinic be looked on favorably, or are school clinics relatively unimportant?

I'll keep reading through the thread, but any other tips about what I can do IN law school (aside from getting good grades) would be much appreciated. This thread has already been a huge help.

You will find lots of great information throughout this thread. JAG, much more so than other legal employers, legitimately considers the "whole person." With that in mind, consider volunteering as a Big Brother/Big Sister and running some road races or playing some intramural sports in addition to crushing law school.

[Esquire]

Army info:

Korea won't be a first assignment anymore. Bad news because it was a near guaranteed way to get to Europe afterward.
SLRP is funded for the next five years, I think. So is JACP.
There are fewer applicants but there are also fewer spots.

[MarkfromWI]

I started 1L last month and think that JAG (preferably AF, Navy second) would be my ideal "choice." As such, I'm trying to find ways to make myself more competitive in law school. Will joining and being active in a veteran' legal aid group/clinic be looked on favorably, or are school clinics relatively unimportant?

I'll keep reading through the thread, but any other tips about what I can do IN law school (aside from getting good grades) would be much appreciated. This thread has already been a huge help.

You will find lots of great information throughout this thread. JAG, much more so than other legal employers, legitimately considers the "whole person." With that in mind, consider volunteering as a Big Brother/Big Sister and running some road races or playing some intramural sports in addition to crushing law school.

I interviewed with an Army FSO last week for the 2L internship and asked him essentially the same question. He said that doing an internship over the summer (whether paid or volunteer) for any of the branches and coming out of it with a solid recommendation is probably the best thing you can do. His words were, essentially, that those with internships have been getting picked up at about a 70% rate. Even if you don't get one of the paid positions, contact a base and figure out a way to do a volunteer internship. They enjoy the free labor and are pretty accommodating (he said he let one of the volunteer interns spend the summer living on his couch).

Besides that, the FSO didn't mention this specifically but I've also heard that trial advocacy team and/or moot court are very helpful and looked highly upon.

ETA: AT9, FWIW I also volunteer with my school's veteran legal aid center. 1L might not be the time for you to start taking on too much extra stuff (you should be worried about getting the best grades possible) but the way I see it is volunteering at the veterans clinic sure can't hurt your chances...

[AT9]

I started 1L last month and think that JAG (preferably AF, Navy second) would be my ideal "choice." As such, I'm trying to find ways to make myself more competitive in law school. Will joining and being active in a veteran' legal aid group/clinic be looked on favorably, or are school clinics relatively unimportant?

I'll keep reading through the thread, but any other tips about what I can do IN law school (aside from getting good grades) would be much appreciated. This thread has already been a huge help.

You will find lots of great information throughout this thread. JAG, much more so than other legal employers, legitimately considers the "whole person." With that in mind, consider volunteering as a Big Brother/Big Sister and running some road races or playing some intramural sports in addition to crushing law school.

I interviewed with an Army FSO last week for the 2L internship and asked him essentially the same question. He said that doing an internship over the summer (whether paid or volunteer) for any of the branches and coming out of it with a solid recommendation is probably the best thing you can do. His words were, essentially, that those with internships have been getting picked up at about a 70% rate. Even if you don't get one of the paid positions, contact a base and figure out a way to do a volunteer internship. They enjoy the free labor and are pretty accommodating (he said he let one of the volunteer interns spend the summer living on his couch).

Besides that, the FSO didn't mention this specifically but I've also heard that trial advocacy team and/or moot court are very helpful and looked highly upon.

ETA: AT9, FWIW I also volunteer with my school's veteran legal aid center. 1L might not be the time for you to start taking on too much extra stuff (you should be worried about getting the best grades possible) but the way I see it is volunteering at the veterans clinic sure can't hurt your chances...

Thank you both! I don't plan on getting too involved yet, but I'll still help where I can. I'm going to try my best at getting an internship this summer and/or next.

[LSATmakesMeNeurotic]

Army info:

Korea won't be a first assignment anymore. Bad news because it was a near guaranteed way to get to Europe afterward.
SLRP is funded for the next five years, I think. So is JACP.
There are fewer applicants but there are also fewer spots.

Is there any reason for the change re: Korea?

[shintopig]

Thought I'd post in here; I've been ghosting this thread since I started law school in 2012. JAG is the choice career for me.

Just finished interviews for Navy, Air Force & Army JAGS. I feel good about the apps, but I have no idea what exact magic the boards use to decide what a "whole person" concept equates to. Fingers crossed.

Definitely enjoyed the Navy's set-standard questions. Army was not bad at all; only one of the branches to send a JA to my law school for the interview. Air Force asked about my tickets; ugh.

Anyone else drop/going to drop applications for these?

[MarkfromWI]

Anyone else drop/going to drop applications for these?

In the process of submitting my AF JAG OYCP application and the Army 2L internship app also. Had the interview for Army a little over 2 weeks ago but still need to set up an interview for AF. Also, I do plan on throwing an app at the AF 2L internship when that opens up (but that won't be until around February or so...) since the OYCP only takes ~5 people a year.

[shintopig]

In the process of submitting my AF JAG OYCP application and the Army 2L internship app also. Had the interview for Army a little over 2 weeks ago but still need to set up an interview for AF. Also, I do plan on throwing an app at the AF 2L internship when that opens up (but that won't be until around February or so...) since the OYCP only takes ~5 people a year.

Yeah its best though to get your name in though to the AF Board while you can. I applied GLP, the AF program for 1Ls, and missed the OYCP Board. I think for GLP they took 2 people my year.

Either way, I think more important than it being a narrow possibility of selection, OYCP or GLP are really good opportunities to get your name in. Every time I talk to JAs from any branch, they say to re-apply if you're a non-select and that it means a lot to re-apply. It shows your dedicated and really want the position.

So even if you don't get it; you're already ahead come DAP time when everyone applies.

All the best!

[Karl123456]

How long after boards, on the chance I got in, would I start work?

For the March/April boards would I start before June?

[Puttanesca]

How long after boards, on the chance I got in, would I start work?

For the March/April boards would I start before June?

Not sure which service you are talking about, but I highly doubt you would start before June. First, you have to wait for the selection results (e.g. for AF in April 2014, selection decisions were not released until mid-May). Second, even if you are already a licensed attorney and don't have to wait for bar results, you still need to be medically cleared, which will take some time. Third, you can't just start anytime: you start when there is an available training class.

[Karl123456]

How long after boards, on the chance I got in, would I start work?

For the March/April boards would I start before June?

Not sure which service you are talking about, but I highly doubt you would start before June. First, you have to wait for the selection results (e.g. for AF in April 2014, selection decisions were not released until mid-May). Second, even if you are already a licensed attorney and don't have to wait for bar results, you still need to be medically cleared, which will take some time. Third, you can't just start anytime: you start when there is an available training class.

Thanks. I have a contract that runs out early June, and would like to avoid bailing early if possible.

[DEG1989]

Hi all, quick question for any Navy JAs. Can I wear contacts at ODS? If not, am I issued a pair of glasses or should I report with a particular kind? Thanks.

[Kivan]

ARNG question:

I submitted my application packet to the OSM.

Got my medical, vision, H&W measurements done.

Got my fingerprints taken care of

Interview, all of it.

My entire packet was complete and sent in back in June.

When should I expect to hear back from the NGB so that I can be sworn in?

[TheSpanishMain]

When should I expect to hear back from the NGB so that I can be sworn in?

The National Guard takes bureaucracy, inefficiency, and glacial pacing to Soviet levels. I'd just call and check on it, honestly.

Definitely enjoyed the Navy's set-standard questions.

Can you elaborate on this, (First Sergeant?) ?

[Kivan]

When should I expect to hear back from the NGB so that I can be sworn in?

The National Guard takes bureaucracy, inefficiency, and glacial pacing to Soviet levels. I'd just call and check on it, honestly.

Should I call my local OSM or the actual NGB Office at Fort Belvoir?

I'd like to avoid stepping on any toes.

[shintopig]

Definitely enjoyed the Navy's set-standard questions.

Can you elaborate on this, (First Sergeant?) ?

So the Navy JAG had 6-set questions. They told me every candidate got asked those, though from speaking with other interviewees, I believe the change them every application cycle or so. They ranged from full-on hypotheticals about working in a firm, to ethical issues, your time management skills, your commitment, to working outside your comfort zone. It was the only JAG interview of the 3 I did this year that had set questions & hypotheticals. I thought it was the most interesting because of these hypos.

And no, not a 1stSGT; the pic's just from a game. I use it for a lot of icons; its just a coincidence that I'm posting here.