Military Law Forum

[Backload]

Hey everyone,

After being a two-time non-select for USAF JAG, I was selected during the December board. My SJA told me I would be getting a packet in the mail, but have been home for the holidays. Has anyone received their packet yet? If so, any info that is time sensitive in there?

December select and I have not received a packet. My SJA said probably a week or so and with Christmas, it probably is a lot slower.

[orangeblossom]

The October selects got their packets emailed to them. It will probably be delayed a little because of the holidays though.

Also, as an October board select, I managed to get everything processed quickly enough that I will be going to the January COT class and the JASOC follow-on.

[Backload]

The October selects got their packets emailed to them. It will probably be delayed a little because of the holidays though.

Also, as an October board select, I managed to get everything processed quickly enough that I will be going to the January COT class and the JASOC follow-on.

I am assuming you are an already licensed attorney?

This brings me to a question - I have searched and read pretty much the entirety of the posts, and have not found too much on the topic.

I know that bar admission results could factor into October COT or January COT. I am currently split between taking the bar in a state that has a 9 week result turnaround and one that is a 4 week turnaround. I do not really have any preference between the two states, but I would probably select the slower state, if this did not matter for COT.

Does anyone have any insight about this? Starting training/pay/career a few months earlier is a big factor to consider. Also, it is not guaranteed to go to October COT even if I pass the bar in a quick result state, correct?

[orangeblossom]

The October selects got their packets emailed to them. It will probably be delayed a little because of the holidays though.

Also, as an October board select, I managed to get everything processed quickly enough that I will be going to the January COT class and the JASOC follow-on.

I am assuming you are an already licensed attorney?

This brings me to a question - I have searched and read pretty much the entirety of the posts, and have not found too much on the topic.

I know that bar admission results could factor into October COT or January COT. I am currently split between taking the bar in a state that has a 9 week result turnaround and one that is a 4 week turnaround. I do not really have any preference between the two states, but I would probably select the slower state, if this did not matter for COT.

Does anyone have any insight about this? Starting training/pay/career a few months earlier is a big factor to consider. Also, it is not guaranteed to go to October COT even if I pass the bar in a quick result state, correct?

I am already licensed.

I would do the four week one just because you will be furious with your self (I certainly would be) when those results come out and you still have another five weeks to go. Regardless of the JAG implications, waiting for bar results is the worst.

[SRyder105]

Hey everyone,

After being a two-time non-select for USAF JAG, I was selected during the December board. My SJA told me I would be getting a packet in the mail, but have been home for the holidays. Has anyone received their packet yet? If so, any info that is time sensitive in there?

I spoke with JAX today. They said that you should expect it sometime after the new year. They also mentioned that as SOON as your packet arrives, schedule your visit to MEPS, especially if you want things to go quickly.

Anyhow, congratulations! Are you licensed yet?

[paolomiguel]

Has anyone received official letters from the Army regarding AD selects? If not, does anyone know around when we should be getting them? Thanks.

[Backload]

Has anyone received official letters from the Army regarding AD selects? If not, does anyone know around when we should be getting them? Thanks.

They said sometime in the new year.

[USAFHog]

Hey everyone,

After being a two-time non-select for USAF JAG, I was selected during the December board. My SJA told me I would be getting a packet in the mail, but have been home for the holidays. Has anyone received their packet yet? If so, any info that is time sensitive in there?

I spoke with JAX today. They said that you should expect it sometime after the new year. They also mentioned that as SOON as your packet arrives, schedule your visit to MEPS, especially if you want things to go quickly.

Anyhow, congratulations! Are you licensed yet?

Thanks! Not licensed yet. I'm heading into my last semester. I'm actually going to be externing at a local AFB as I finish law school out. I imagine the earliest I could goto COT will be in October. Any insight into MEPS other than being an all day affair of having to hurry up and wait? Are you licensed yet?

[SRyder105]

Hey everyone,

After being a two-time non-select for USAF JAG, I was selected during the December board. My SJA told me I would be getting a packet in the mail, but have been home for the holidays. Has anyone received their packet yet? If so, any info that is time sensitive in there?

I spoke with JAX today. They said that you should expect it sometime after the new year. They also mentioned that as SOON as your packet arrives, schedule your visit to MEPS, especially if you want things to go quickly.

Anyhow, congratulations! Are you licensed yet?

Thanks! Not licensed yet. I'm heading into my last semester. I'm actually going to be externing at a local AFB as I finish law school out. I imagine the earliest I could goto COT will be in October. Any insight into MEPS other than being an all day affair of having to hurry up and wait? Are you licensed yet?

I e-mailed you to avoid clogging up the forum with this stuff.

Question for any new AF selects: have you received your packet yet? Hopefully we might receive them sometime this week?

[sprklingtea]

Nope, I haven't received my packet yet. My SJA said that we wouldn't get them until after January 4. I believe the person who sends them out from JAX was off all last week. I expect we will receive something mid to late next week...

[SRyder105]

AF December Selects: Check your e-mails! Packets have arrived!

[bsktbll28082]

Army JAG selects: check your mail for a Statement of Intent letter. Mailed last week.

[Standish]

I just found out that I was accepted for the Army 2L internship. I'm really excited! I have a few questions.

I know all JAG positions are extremely selective, but how much does the internship improve my chances of direct commissioning after I pass the bar? If I get good recommendations from the Judge Advocates I work with this summer, would I probably be accepted after graduation, or are there still too many factors to be able to say?

This semester I'm taking mostly business law classes, as I was trying to increase my ability to get JD advantage jobs if I didn't get hired by a firm eventually. I understand that Army JAG has a significant litigation focus. Would it be a good idea to change my schedule for this semester to include more litigation classes?

Are there any bases that specialize in certain practice areas? Any advice on how to choose from the list of bases they provide?

[Anonymous User]

Hi all,

I'm a 1L, non trad (almost 33 y/o) from a t10 school. Posting annonymously just in case I get laughed out of town. No prior service. I've been seriously considering entering the service after graduation. It's something I've always wanted very badly to do, particularly post-9/11, but life kept getting in the way and I wanted to make sure everything was "just right" first.

Now I'll be 35 when I get that JD, and prospectively 36 before I pass the Bar. I realize that's too late for JAG/OCS, and my grades are only median - not terribly competitive. I have no major connections, no in-demand skills (beyond the eventual JD) or languages, and no great references to speak of - pretty literally just an averge but hard-working schmuck. The good news: No major medical, other than being out of shape due to years of slacking (addressing this now). And, I'll have only modest loan debt due to a very generous scholarship.

Does anybody have any resources or tips of any kind? Literally anything at all would be welcome. I don't have any terrible burning desire to join any particular branch.

Thanks in advance.

[Patrick Bateman]

Hi all,

I'm a 1L, non trad (almost 33 y/o) from a t10 school. Posting annonymously just in case I get laughed out of town. No prior service. I've been seriously considering entering the service after graduation. It's something I've always wanted very badly to do, particularly post-9/11, but life kept getting in the way and I wanted to make sure everything was "just right" first.

Now I'll be 35 when I get that JD, and prospectively 36 before I pass the Bar. I realize that's too late for JAG/OCS, and my grades are only median - not terribly competitive. I have no major connections, no in-demand skills (beyond the eventual JD) or languages, and no great references to speak of - pretty literally just an averge but hard-working schmuck. The good news: No major medical, other than being out of shape due to years of slacking (addressing this now). And, I'll have only modest loan debt due to a very generous scholarship.

Does anybody have any resources or tips of any kind? Literally anything at all would be welcome. I don't have any terrible burning desire to join any particular branch.

Thanks in advance.

In respect to your age, you should still be eligible to serve as an Army JAG - my understanding is that their cut off is 42:

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/ ... orney.html

If you were able to get into a T-10 law school, I would not be so negative in light of your accomplishments - you clearly have done something right. All the things you should be doing to make yourself more competitive for JAG are discussed throughout all of this thread - if this is something you truly want to do, there is no reason why you should not pursue it.

[Anonymous User]

In respect to your age, you should still be eligible to serve as an Army JAG - my understanding is that their cut off is 42:

http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/ ... orney.html

If you were able to get into a T-10 law school, I would not be so negative in light of your accomplishments - you clearly have done something right. All the things you should be doing to make yourself more competitive for JAG are discussed throughout all of this thread - if this is something you truly want to do, there is no reason why you should not pursue it.

Thanks Patrick. I'll read through the thread. I've actually read a lot of threads, but found it difficult to identify much in the way of coherent/universal themes, just because everybody has a different situation. I'll probably try to find an actual JAG recruiter to chat with, too.

Exciting stuff.

[Patrick Bateman]

I just found out that I was accepted for the Army 2L internship. I'm really excited! I have a few questions.

I know all JAG positions are extremely selective, but how much does the internship improve my chances of direct commissioning after I pass the bar? If I get good recommendations from the Judge Advocates I work with this summer, would I probably be accepted after graduation, or are there still too many factors to be able to say?

This semester I'm taking mostly business law classes, as I was trying to increase my ability to get JD advantage jobs if I didn't get hired by a firm eventually. I understand that Army JAG has a significant litigation focus. Would it be a good idea to change my schedule for this semester to include more litigation classes?

Are there any bases that specialize in certain practice areas? Any advice on how to choose from the list of bases they provide?

I can answer these questions but only from an Air Force perspective. If there is interest, I can chime in with my two cents, but I'll defer to the Army folks out there to give the service specific advice.

[skylaws]

Hi all,

I'm a 1L, non trad (almost 33 y/o) from a t10 school. Posting annonymously just in case I get laughed out of town. No prior service. I've been seriously considering entering the service after graduation. It's something I've always wanted very badly to do, particularly post-9/11, but life kept getting in the way and I wanted to make sure everything was "just right" first.

Now I'll be 35 when I get that JD, and prospectively 36 before I pass the Bar. I realize that's too late for JAG/OCS, and my grades are only median - not terribly competitive. I have no major connections, no in-demand skills (beyond the eventual JD) or languages, and no great references to speak of - pretty literally just an averge but hard-working schmuck. The good news: No major medical, other than being out of shape due to years of slacking (addressing this now). And, I'll have only modest loan debt due to a very generous scholarship.

Does anybody have any resources or tips of any kind? Literally anything at all would be welcome. I don't have any terrible burning desire to join any particular branch.

Thanks in advance.

Navy also appears to have an age cutoff of 42, so you'd be just fine to apply to them as well. http://www.jag.navy.mil/careers_/career ... es_sp.html. Since you're a 1L, you have time to make connections and find references via intern/externships, so don't sweat not having those already.

Good luck!

[Standish]

I can answer these questions but only from an Air Force perspective. If there is interest, I can chime in with my two cents, but I'll defer to the Army folks out there to give the service specific advice.

I would be interested to hear your Air Force perspective.

[Anonymous User]

Oh, sorry, to be clear - I meant too old in the sense that being non-trad might be something of a liability in terms of candidacy.

Gonna read the whole thread tonight and make a plan of action over the weekend. Thanks gents.

[Anonymous User]

Same boat as Standish, recently accepted into Army 2L Summer Internship Program, wondering how much of an impact this opportunity has my eventual application for a commission. Would welcome feedback from all branches.

[TheSpanishMain]

Oh, sorry, to be clear - I meant too old in the sense that being non-trad might be something of a liability in terms of candidacy.

Gonna read the whole thread tonight and make a plan of action over the weekend. Thanks gents.

Assuming you spent the time between undergrad and law school doing something besides playing xbox in mom's basement, I think it's more of an asset than a liability

[Patrick Bateman]

I just found out that I was accepted for the Army 2L internship. I'm really excited! I have a few questions.

I know all JAG positions are extremely selective, but how much does the internship improve my chances of direct commissioning after I pass the bar? If I get good recommendations from the Judge Advocates I work with this summer, would I probably be accepted after graduation, or are there still too many factors to be able to say?

This semester I'm taking mostly business law classes, as I was trying to increase my ability to get JD advantage jobs if I didn't get hired by a firm eventually. I understand that Army JAG has a significant litigation focus. Would it be a good idea to change my schedule for this semester to include more litigation classes?

Are there any bases that specialize in certain practice areas? Any advice on how to choose from the list of bases they provide?

My USAF two cents:

The internship can be a critical asset to earning a selection for direct appointment. The office will get 8-12 weeks to observe you and determine if you have the variables that can make a good officer. Most folks only have the hour long interview to sell this - that is why the internship can be such a huge advantage. An SJA recommendation that states that after 2-3 months with you, they think you have what it takes and they would be willing to have you as a first assignment in their office - that goes a long way.

That all presupposes you do a really good job with the internship. You can just as easily blow it. A good internship is also no guarantee - there are interns that had a good summer and still did not get picked up. That said, if the other variables in your resume are solid, a good summer will put you in a stronger spot.

When I interviewed back in the day, the SJA went through my transcript and specifically asked about my criminal and litigation type classes - evidence, crim pro, white collar crime, etc, etc. Same goes for mock trial and moot court. And now that I have been in the courtroom in some capacity for over six years now, those courses are always a good idea. That said, it is not like my entire transcript was 100% criminal or advocacy related - I just worked in the interesting electives when I could.

For the Air Force, bases absolutely specialize in certain practice areas due to the missions that they support. I have posted on this subject extensively for anyone looking to know more.

[Anonymous User]

Based on my experience with other Army 2L interns and the JAGs we worked with, being selected for the internship is a major help when you apply for JAG. Like, they said 75% of interns who apply get picked up. They've basically already vetted you when you applied for the internship.

[Anonymous User]

I just found out that I was accepted for the Army 2L internship. I'm really excited! I have a few questions.

I know all JAG positions are extremely selective, but how much does the internship improve my chances of direct commissioning after I pass the bar? If I get good recommendations from the Judge Advocates I work with this summer, would I probably be accepted after graduation, or are there still too many factors to be able to say?

This semester I'm taking mostly business law classes, as I was trying to increase my ability to get JD advantage jobs if I didn't get hired by a firm eventually. I understand that Army JAG has a significant litigation focus. Would it be a good idea to change my schedule for this semester to include more litigation classes?

Are there any bases that specialize in certain practice areas? Any advice on how to choose from the list of bases they provide?

Congrats! As long as you do a good job this summer and don't rest on your laurels during school, you have a very good shot at being selected for active duty.