Military Law Forum

[wesleybs]

Anyone hear results from Air Force Jag 2L internships?

[MrTexas]

Good luck to all of those applying for GLP this year!

I am in the GLP program, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents.

First, the most important thing is your SJA interview. Many SJAs have sat on previous selection boards, so they know exactly what to write in your package that will provide a thumbs up or down. Every time I spoke with or visited the legal office where I interviewed I treated it like an interview. Your SJA will likely have you meet at least some of the enlisted and officer staff in the legal office. If you treat all of them professionally I think it goes a long way.

Second, have a professional photograph taken in a professional pose (even if it is at Walmart). My SJA told me about packages she had seen with a photograph of a person in shorts and flip-flops. Don't be that guy/girl.

Also, it is possible to go to field training after your 1L year instead of your 2L year; incase you are worried about internships for 1L's as opposed to 2L's.

If anyone has any specific questions about getting in the program or what comes next feel free to ask me. Again, best of luck!

1) What were your stats like (grades/class rank/what rank school/ECs/etc) when you were selected?
2) Describe how your interview with the SJA went. What types of questions asked, etc.
3) Do you have any indication of how much easier it was to get in the GLP as opposed to direct appointment?

[MrTexas]

I had a question about the physical they give you. How invasive is it? Are we talking borderline prostate exam? Do they do a hair test or a piss test for drugs?

No prostate exam.

Piss and blood for drugs. You have to disclose all your drug use when you apply. Extensive drug use will likely result in you never being picked up. You will also get investigated for your security clearance, so if you attempt to conceal drug use it often will be discovered.

How exactly does a security clearance work? Don't they do an investigation before you even go before the board? If that's the case it seems like they would catch you the first time, before it even got to the security clearance, right?

I have no doubt I could pass a urine test, but I smoked a few times 2-3 years ago and I heard a hair test can detect that.

[Esquire]

Anyone hear results from Air Force Jag 2L internships?

Still waiting. I imagine we should hear before Christmas.

[Patrick Bateman]

I had a question about the physical they give you. How invasive is it? Are we talking borderline prostate exam? Do they do a hair test or a piss test for drugs?

No prostate exam.

Piss and blood for drugs. You have to disclose all your drug use when you apply. Extensive drug use will likely result in you never being picked up. You will also get investigated for your security clearance, so if you attempt to conceal drug use it often will be discovered.

How exactly does a security clearance work? Don't they do an investigation before you even go before the board? If that's the case it seems like they would catch you the first time, before it even got to the security clearance, right?

I have no doubt I could pass a urine test, but I smoked a few times 2-3 years ago and I heard a hair test can detect that.

With the volume of applicants, it would be impossible to investigate everyone before their board. You submit your SF-86 after you are accepted but before you go to Officer Training School.

If you smoked recently, and 2-3 years is recent, and admit it on your application, I really do not see you being selected. If you conceal it and it is discovered during your background investigation, you could be looking at anything from jail time to losing your law license.

[ArkansasFan]

I had a question about the physical they give you. How invasive is it? Are we talking borderline prostate exam? Do they do a hair test or a piss test for drugs?

No prostate exam.

Piss and blood for drugs. You have to disclose all your drug use when you apply. Extensive drug use will likely result in you never being picked up. You will also get investigated for your security clearance, so if you attempt to conceal drug use it often will be discovered.

How exactly does a security clearance work? Don't they do an investigation before you even go before the board? If that's the case it seems like they would catch you the first time, before it even got to the security clearance, right?

I have no doubt I could pass a urine test, but I smoked a few times 2-3 years ago and I heard a hair test can detect that.

With the volume of applicants, it would be impossible to investigate everyone before their board. You submit your SF-86 after you are accepted but before you go to Officer Training School.

If you smoked recently, and 2-3 years is recent, and admit it on your application, I really do not see you being selected. If you conceal it and it is discovered during your background investigation, you could be looking at anything from jail time to losing your law license.

For some time now I've also wondered what the process for a security clearance investigation entailed. I'm guessing it would be similar to that of a law enforcement applicant. We look at a person's driving, criminal, financial, educational, and social (who you know, who you're related to, where you've lived) background. Then of course there's a later medical and psychological, but that's another matter. I'd wager the financial, social, and criminal background would be the elements of a security clearance.

I found a job ad once for a contractor in this area to do background investigations for security clearances for various federal agencies.

[goreman]

It's been my experience that most people who have used drugs before, especially stuff like smoking pot (as opposed to a heroin user or something), typically get their security clearances with no major issues. The key is you MUST be completely forthright and honest about the issue. If it comes up somewhere else and you didn't admit it, you could be in for some problems in the background investigation. Seriously, though, I work in intel and there are all kinds of people who I work with that have up to Top Secret/SCI clearances with a wide variety of previous drug infractions. Just be open about it and with it being a few years ago, you might be okay. It COULD be an issue, but I wouldn't necessarily freak out about it.

Now, as far as entrance to the bar and all that, I couldn't say. That's another matter entirely and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

[Patrick Bateman]

It's been my experience that most people who have used drugs before, especially stuff like smoking pot (as opposed to a heroin user or something), typically get their security clearances with no major issues. The key is you MUST be completely forthright and honest about the issue. If it comes up somewhere else and you didn't admit it, you could be in for some problems in the background investigation. Seriously, though, I work in intel and there are all kinds of people who I work with that have up to Top Secret/SCI clearances with a wide variety of previous drug infractions. Just be open about it and with it being a few years ago, you might be okay. It COULD be an issue, but I wouldn't necessarily freak out about it.

Now, as far as entrance to the bar and all that, I couldn't say. That's another matter entirely and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

Agreed. I was not trying to say the poster would not get his/her clearance. Their odds of being selected for JAG however...

[motownsaint]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now, and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

[patrickd139]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now, and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

Also interested in this information.

[BHL]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now (I go AD next month), and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

I'm dealing with that reality now. The AF offered me a great overseas base, and I decided to take it. My then gf had to do a gut check to determine if the military life was something she wanted. Thankfully, she knew enough wives of officers to provide a picture for her. The short story of what they said is that being an officer's wife is what you make of it. If your SO doesn't want to be more than a housewife, then she won't try to be. BUT if she wants more, she can have it to an extent. The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base. Few employers (and likely no employer) wants someone running their business who is going to leave in a few years. Some careers (artist, writer, nurse, etc.) are more mobile than others, so it somewhat depends on the situation. Regardless, you SO will need ot make sacrifices for it to work. Your main sacrifice will be down the road in determining whether you decide to stay beyond the initial commitment, but I don't think that's something you should predetermine from the start unless your SO has something waiting in the wings.

Furthermore, I think the housewife/baby-making-momma thing for military wives isn't as true when it comes to officers' wives than it does for enlistee wives. It happens, but I don't think to the same extent. I suspect education has a lot to do with the disparity: officers and their spouses tend to be more educated than enlistees and their wives. As such, the wives of officers want more than just being a mother because they feel like they went to college for a reason. This is at least the sentiment the few wives I know have, but that's fairly limited at this point.

[pamo]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now (I go AD next month), and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

I'm dealing with that reality now. The AF offered me a great overseas base, and I decided to take it. My then gf had to do a gut check to determine if the military life was something she wanted. Thankfully, she knew enough wives of officers to provide a picture for her. The short story of what they said is that being an officer's wife is what you make of it. If your SO doesn't want to be more than a housewife, then she won't try to be. BUT if she wants more, she can have it to an extent. The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base. Few employers (and likely no employer) wants someone running their business who is going to leave in a few years. Some careers (artist, writer, nurse, etc.) are more mobile than others, so it somewhat depends on the situation. Regardless, you SO will need ot make sacrifices for it to work. Your main sacrifice will be down the road in determining whether you decide to stay beyond the initial commitment, but I don't think that's something you should predetermine from the start unless your SO has something waiting in the wings.

Furthermore, I think the housewife/baby-making-momma thing for military wives isn't as true when it comes to officers' wives than it does for enlistee wives. It happens, but I don't think to the same extent. I suspect education has a lot to do with the disparity: officers and their spouses tend to be more educated than enlistees and their wives. As such, the wives of officers want more than just being a mother because they feel like they went to college for a reason. This is at least the sentiment the few wives I know have, but that's fairly limited at this point.

BHL, thanks for the great answer. If you could, would you elaborate a bit on the part where you said "The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base."

My SO has had a long held interest in service with the military, but is currently just prepping for next year's LSAT. If the AF/Navy makes efforts to keep spouses on the same bases, that would also definitely be something worth knowing.

More generally, are there career options on base that are there for military wives?

[BHL]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now (I go AD next month), and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

I'm dealing with that reality now. The AF offered me a great overseas base, and I decided to take it. My then gf had to do a gut check to determine if the military life was something she wanted. Thankfully, she knew enough wives of officers to provide a picture for her. The short story of what they said is that being an officer's wife is what you make of it. If your SO doesn't want to be more than a housewife, then she won't try to be. BUT if she wants more, she can have it to an extent. The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base. Few employers (and likely no employer) wants someone running their business who is going to leave in a few years. Some careers (artist, writer, nurse, etc.) are more mobile than others, so it somewhat depends on the situation. Regardless, you SO will need ot make sacrifices for it to work. Your main sacrifice will be down the road in determining whether you decide to stay beyond the initial commitment, but I don't think that's something you should predetermine from the start unless your SO has something waiting in the wings.

Furthermore, I think the housewife/baby-making-momma thing for military wives isn't as true when it comes to officers' wives than it does for enlistee wives. It happens, but I don't think to the same extent. I suspect education has a lot to do with the disparity: officers and their spouses tend to be more educated than enlistees and their wives. As such, the wives of officers want more than just being a mother because they feel like they went to college for a reason. This is at least the sentiment the few wives I know have, but that's fairly limited at this point.

BHL, thanks for the great answer. If you could, would you elaborate a bit on the part where you said "The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base."

My SO has had a long held interest in service with the military, but is currently just prepping for next year's LSAT. If the AF/Navy makes efforts to keep spouses on the same bases, that would also definitely be something worth knowing.

More generally, are there career options on base that are there for military wives?

Any elaboration on this point takes my comment into a vague area. Of the wives I know, only one worked on base and that was as a nurse. She was in a different branch and didn't make a career out of it. She's now a successful artist.

I pressed a few people about the opportunities for wives and most said that on-base employment was probably their best bet. I think (don't take my word on it) wives get preferential treatment in the hiring at bases, so that should help them find higher level jobs there than off base. I suggest taking a look at the civilian jobs listed on USAJobs to give you an idea of what's out there. Eg, at the base to which I'm heading, the listed jobs are IT Specialist, various doctor positions, nurse, program coordinator and manager positions, historian, and secretary.

Again, I'm going out on a limb to some degree here since I'm trying to connect the dots on things other people told me rather than relaying the basic message.

[MrTexas]

It's been my experience that most people who have used drugs before, especially stuff like smoking pot (as opposed to a heroin user or something), typically get their security clearances with no major issues. The key is you MUST be completely forthright and honest about the issue. If it comes up somewhere else and you didn't admit it, you could be in for some problems in the background investigation. Seriously, though, I work in intel and there are all kinds of people who I work with that have up to Top Secret/SCI clearances with a wide variety of previous drug infractions. Just be open about it and with it being a few years ago, you might be okay. It COULD be an issue, but I wouldn't necessarily freak out about it.

Now, as far as entrance to the bar and all that, I couldn't say. That's another matter entirely and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

Agreed. I was not trying to say the poster would not get his/her clearance. Their odds of being selected for JAG however...

I'm just wondering... is this mere speculation on your part, or do you have reason to believe this based on what SJAs and selection board members have said to you (as far as "recent" drug use basically disqualifying you from being selected. Although it seems absurd that use 2-3 years ago is considered "recent").

[Patrick Bateman]

It's been my experience that most people who have used drugs before, especially stuff like smoking pot (as opposed to a heroin user or something), typically get their security clearances with no major issues. The key is you MUST be completely forthright and honest about the issue. If it comes up somewhere else and you didn't admit it, you could be in for some problems in the background investigation. Seriously, though, I work in intel and there are all kinds of people who I work with that have up to Top Secret/SCI clearances with a wide variety of previous drug infractions. Just be open about it and with it being a few years ago, you might be okay. It COULD be an issue, but I wouldn't necessarily freak out about it.

Now, as far as entrance to the bar and all that, I couldn't say. That's another matter entirely and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

Agreed. I was not trying to say the poster would not get his/her clearance. Their odds of being selected for JAG however...

I'm just wondering... is this mere speculation on your part, or do you have reason to believe this based on what SJAs and selection board members have said to you (as far as "recent" drug use basically disqualifying you from being selected. Although it seems absurd that use 2-3 years ago is considered "recent").

Based on offline SJA/Selection Board Member comments.

Smoked pot a few times in high school? Yeah, we all make mistakes. Smoking pot in law school when one really does appreciate that it is illegal? That's a problem for someone who is hoping to enforce laws, esp with the volume of drug offenses we prosecute. Harder drugs raise those issues even more so to say nothing of the security clearance implications.

Keep in mind the FBI absolutely bars applicants who have smoked pot more than 15 times. I think we are being pretty reasonable.

[MrTexas]

It's been my experience that most people who have used drugs before, especially stuff like smoking pot (as opposed to a heroin user or something), typically get their security clearances with no major issues. The key is you MUST be completely forthright and honest about the issue. If it comes up somewhere else and you didn't admit it, you could be in for some problems in the background investigation. Seriously, though, I work in intel and there are all kinds of people who I work with that have up to Top Secret/SCI clearances with a wide variety of previous drug infractions. Just be open about it and with it being a few years ago, you might be okay. It COULD be an issue, but I wouldn't necessarily freak out about it.

Now, as far as entrance to the bar and all that, I couldn't say. That's another matter entirely and I'm not really qualified to comment on that.

Agreed. I was not trying to say the poster would not get his/her clearance. Their odds of being selected for JAG however...

I'm just wondering... is this mere speculation on your part, or do you have reason to believe this based on what SJAs and selection board members have said to you (as far as "recent" drug use basically disqualifying you from being selected. Although it seems absurd that use 2-3 years ago is considered "recent").

Based on offline SJA/Selection Board Member comments.

Smoked pot a few times in high school? Yeah, we all make mistakes. Smoking pot in law school when one really does appreciate that it is illegal? That's a problem for someone who is hoping to enforce laws, esp with the volume of drug offenses we prosecute. Harder drugs raise those issues even more so to say nothing of the security clearance implications.

Keep in mind the FBI absolutely bars applicants who have smoked pot more than 15 times. I think we are being pretty reasonable.

Can you elaborate a little bit on these "offline" comments?

It just doesn't seem fair that a person who smoked 10 times in high school/early college gets more of a pass than somebody who has smoked twice in their entire life two years ago and has since vowed to never touch it again, or somebody who experimented ONE time, but as a 1L. You said yourself we all make mistakes.

[brownshoe]

Can you elaborate a little bit on these "offline" comments?

It just doesn't seem fair that a person who smoked 10 times in high school/early college gets more of a pass than somebody who has smoked twice in their entire life two years ago and has since vowed to never touch it again, or somebody who experimented ONE time, but as a 1L. You said yourself we all make mistakes.

23-25 year olds are expected to make better judgments than 17-19 year olds. Officers are expected to make better judgments than most 23-25 year olds. "Fair" is not really something that matters. They are looking for the best people they can get and have WAY too many qualified applicants.

[AfroNINJA1226]

This is an interesting thread...I'm active duty enlisted AF, right now. I am looking to Palace Chase and attend law school if I get accepted next cycle...I've done some volunteer work, with our Base Legal office...built some relationships with some of the JAGs...I think it is a good gig for anyone who wants it. I don't know how the JAG compares to a civilian firm, I would like to see...

[Patrick Bateman]

Can you elaborate a little bit on these "offline" comments?

It just doesn't seem fair that a person who smoked 10 times in high school/early college gets more of a pass than somebody who has smoked twice in their entire life two years ago and has since vowed to never touch it again, or somebody who experimented ONE time, but as a 1L. You said yourself we all make mistakes.

I'm not going to debate the merit of this unofficial policy, esp as a company grade officer with absoultely zero influence over that policy. It is still a case by case decision; there is no categorical "smoke once in law school and your done" rule.

Brownshoe hits the nail on the head. Even if the policy is unfair, so what? Commissioned officers are individuals with the legal authority to lead others and are held to a far higher standard. The FBI will tell you the same thing if you ask about their 15 times and done policy - their Agents are the best and are held to the highest possible standards.

There are plenty of other lawyering jobs out there that do not care about drug use.

[eodops]

1) What were your stats like (grades/class rank/what rank school/ECs/etc) when you were selected?
2) Describe how your interview with the SJA went. What types of questions asked, etc.
3) Do you have any indication of how much easier it was to get in the GLP as opposed to direct appointment?[/quote]

I know this thread has moved on to drugs and what not, but I just finished my finals so now I have a few minutes....

1) My Fall 1L grades were not great. I think I had a 2.76, which put me around 50%. My school is ranked 77. I had a 3.5 undergrad and a 166 LSAT. I had some pretty good soft factors: ten years of prior service, five solid recommendation letters, etc.
2) For my SJA interview, I had a dependent ID card, so I stayed on base the night before. I showed up at the legal office bout 10 minutes early. The first half of the interview was with a Captain. I went to his office and we just chatted for about 45 minutes. Then I waited for the SJA to be free. I waited for about 45 minutes because she was extremely busy. My interview with the SJA was only about 20 minutes. She asked questions that you would expect: "Why do you want to be in the Air Force?" "Why do you want to be a JAG?" "Why should the board pick you, over another applicant?" About half of the interview was her and I just talking and / or her telling me about the JAG Corps.
3) As far as I know, the Air Force does not release GLP stats. I figure that there are way less GLP applicants though. Most people do not want to add ROTC to their last two years of law school, and most 1Ls are not thinking about getting a job yet (especially in their fall term).

I don't know if any of that is helpful. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know.

[Baylan]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, and over the past few months/weeks I've read through this entire thread, so for the sake of everyone (and myself), can I get a quick explanation of the DA, GLP, and the last (is there another?) way to secure an appointment to the JAG Corps? There are bits and pieces spread across the entire thread.

DA numbers, I know, are typically quite low (5-10% is the number often cited), and there are apparently no known GLP numbers, but is GLP appointment successful at a (significantly?) higher rate? I know this last bit of information will be purely anecdotal... but any information is better than nothing!

Thanks

[patrickd139]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, and over the past few months/weeks I've read through this entire thread, so for the sake of everyone (and myself), can I get a quick explanation of the DA, GLP, and the last (is there another?) way to secure an appointment to the JAG Corps? There are bits and pieces spread across the entire thread.

DA numbers, I know, are typically quite low (5-10% is the number often cited), and there are apparently no known GLP numbers, but is GLP appointment successful at a (significantly?) higher rate? I know this last bit of information will be purely anecdotal... but any information is better than nothing!

Thanks

First, your answer varies from branch to branch. AF has three ways for law students to accept a commission. Marine Corps has a couple. Army and Navy, I'm not sure about, but I get the feeling you can only get a direct appointment.

Either way, google "JAG" and look at the websites for each branch. It will give you a great overview of each program and save us the time of retyping the information on this site. Plus, checkout these websites for more information about the commissioning process in general...

Air Force: http://www.airforceots.com/portal/index.php

Army: http://www.armyocs.com/

Marine Corps: http://www.marineocs.com/portal/index.php

Navy: http://www.usnavyocs.com/portal/index.php

and

Coast Guard: http://coastguardocs.org/portal/index.php

Edit: linkfail

[clwilson6]

I'm not a citizen yet. Do I have to be one to really consider military law as a viable option?

To be a military lawyer, you have to be commissioned and only US citizens can get a commission. Sorry.

[clwilson6]

I recall that one of the branches (Marines, perhaps?) credits your three years of law school as "years of service" such that, assuming no prior military background, you start as an O-2 with 3 years instead of 0 on the pay scale. Does that hold true for AF / Navy also?

AF does not count law school as years of service in terms of TIS for pay calculations for non-priors. For the active duty FELP/ELP students, the time counts however.

All military branches have what's called "constructive credit" in which time spent in law school can be applied towards time in service. Each branch applies it differently. I work in a Marine Corps Judge Advocate's Office and know that the Marine Corps applies it differently than every other service. In the Marine Corps, it's applied after a Marine Officer completes Officer Candidate School, The Basic School for Officers and Naval Justice School. Other services will apply the time after commissioning and bar passage. This is important due to promotion as promotion boards come during certain periods of the year.

[bahama]

Do you folks know of many JAGs with spouses or long-term significant others?

I'm really enchanted with the idea of JAG right now (I go AD next month), and I certainly wouldn't mind moving every couple of years to a new place. But I don't want to reduce my SO's career options to house wife, either. What have you guys seen work/experienced?

I'm dealing with that reality now. The AF offered me a great overseas base, and I decided to take it. My then gf had to do a gut check to determine if the military life was something she wanted. Thankfully, she knew enough wives of officers to provide a picture for her. The short story of what they said is that being an officer's wife is what you make of it. If your SO doesn't want to be more than a housewife, then she won't try to be. BUT if she wants more, she can have it to an extent. The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base. Few employers (and likely no employer) wants someone running their business who is going to leave in a few years. Some careers (artist, writer, nurse, etc.) are more mobile than others, so it somewhat depends on the situation. Regardless, you SO will need ot make sacrifices for it to work. Your main sacrifice will be down the road in determining whether you decide to stay beyond the initial commitment, but I don't think that's something you should predetermine from the start unless your SO has something waiting in the wings.

Furthermore, I think the housewife/baby-making-momma thing for military wives isn't as true when it comes to officers' wives than it does for enlistee wives. It happens, but I don't think to the same extent. I suspect education has a lot to do with the disparity: officers and their spouses tend to be more educated than enlistees and their wives. As such, the wives of officers want more than just being a mother because they feel like they went to college for a reason. This is at least the sentiment the few wives I know have, but that's fairly limited at this point.

BHL, thanks for the great answer. If you could, would you elaborate a bit on the part where you said "The main caveat is that your SO (and future wife) will never get the opportunity to hold an upper level position unless it's on base."

My SO has had a long held interest in service with the military, but is currently just prepping for next year's LSAT. If the AF/Navy makes efforts to keep spouses on the same bases, that would also definitely be something worth knowing.

More generally, are there career options on base that are there for military wives?

Any elaboration on this point takes my comment into a vague area. Of the wives I know, only one worked on base and that was as a nurse. She was in a different branch and didn't make a career out of it. She's now a successful artist.

I pressed a few people about the opportunities for wives and most said that on-base employment was probably their best bet. I think (don't take my word on it) wives get preferential treatment in the hiring at bases, so that should help them find higher level jobs there than off base. I suggest taking a look at the civilian jobs listed on USAJobs to give you an idea of what's out there. Eg, at the base to which I'm heading, the listed jobs are IT Specialist, various doctor positions, nurse, program coordinator and manager positions, historian, and secretary.

Again, I'm going out on a limb to some degree here since I'm trying to connect the dots on things other people told me rather than relaying the basic message.

I spent 10yrs as an officer in the Navy and my experience doesn’t match a lot of what was said above.

Very few of the officer’s wives I know (college educated, many with professional degrees) continued working full time after having kids. The biggest part of it is the difficulty of working while being a de facto single parent much of the time while the military spouse is deployed or gone for training. Combine this with the fact that they don’t need to work for economic reasons, and that it is harder to stay upwardly mobile in a career when you are moving every few years, sometime to less than desirable locations, and it is not really surprising that a lot of people make this choice. A lot of these people said they were going to keep working after having kids, but decided it wasn’t worth it once they had to live it for a while.

I don't know any officer's wives who worked on base or for the federal gov’t, unless they were also in the military. This may be different at some of the AF and Army bases in the middle of nowhere where there aren’t any professional jobs available outside the base.

If you are married to someone in the military, the policy is to try and keep you in the same area. This is a lot easier if you are both in the same service since you could be assigned to the same base. If you are in different services, they will still try but there is a lot more coordination involved and you are more likely to end up in a situation where you are say at different bases 100 miles apart and split the difference by living somewhere in the middle.

Having said all that, I also know officer’s wives who were doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, defense contractors/consultants, engineers, nurses, teachers, paralegals, or even had their own businesses. The thing to remember is the military spouse’s career path is going to be different because you have to move every three years or so and sometimes they end up living in places that may not have the best career opportunities for them. So it is much easier to do with a “portable” or high demand career.

Making career sacrifices for your significant other at some point is true in pretty much any field, not just the military.