Military Law Forum

[vives2001]

Bumping this, was just selected an wondering if I should pursue other options

[Bop]

The good news is there is currently no indication that internships are in jeopardy (at least in the Army side). The bad news is that it only takes a single executive order or sweeping personnel action for that to change.

How you decide to manage that risk is a personal judgment call.

[brickpainter]

How are funds appropriated for the Army's Student Loan Reimbursement Program? Is this a specific item Congress approves in the Defense Appropriations bills, or is this from a more general pool of funding given to the Army for its discretion? I'm trying to get an understanding for whether this program can easily be revoked, say by an executive order or otherwise.

[anonymous19921992]

How are funds appropriated for the Army's Student Loan Reimbursement Program? Is this a specific item Congress approves in the Defense Appropriations bills, or is this from a more general pool of funding given to the Army for its discretion? I'm trying to get an understanding for whether this program can easily be revoked, say by an executive order or otherwise.

I am interested in this as well. Would appreciate any insights on this. I got this email from JARO back in October before the new admin took office, so this is a longer running issue:

"There has been a recent change regarding bonuses as well. USAR is no longer offering commissioning bonuses/ student loan repayment for any MOS for the foreseeable future."

[wet_tissue_paper22]

How are funds appropriated for the Army's Student Loan Reimbursement Program? Is this a specific item Congress approves in the Defense Appropriations bills, or is this from a more general pool of funding given to the Army for its discretion? I'm trying to get an understanding for whether this program can easily be revoked, say by an executive order or otherwise.

I am interested in this as well. Would appreciate any insights on this. I got this email from JARO back in October before the new admin took office, so this is a longer running issue:

"There has been a recent change regarding bonuses as well. USAR is no longer offering commissioning bonuses/ student loan repayment for any MOS for the foreseeable future."

Confirming that I have also heard that no SLRP will be available, at least through USAR. I don't think it's a matter of executive order or the recent broad slashes to government activity - I think that due to the continuing resolutions beginning last year, no funding was available for the SLRP, and the current climate makes it virtually a certainty that it won't be reinstated even if a full and proper NDAA is passed.

[vives2001]

any Army JAGs or people in the know that have intel on the paid status of the active duty internship?

[randolawyer]

Anyone have any experience with applying for JAG without a lot or any public service experience or extracurriculars? Curious to know how competitive the application process is in general. Also, does anyone know if there is any difference between the application cycles?

[Patrick Bateman]

Anyone have any experience with applying for JAG without a lot or any public service experience or extracurriculars? Curious to know how competitive the application process is in general. Also, does anyone know if there is any difference between the application cycles?

You aren't going to get feedback with questions this broad.

We've got posts going back to the aughts on what makes an application competitive. Same with how competitive the process can be.

Information on what service you are hoping to apply for, and on your background, may generate some insight from the other posters.

[Anonymous User]

Long time reader, first time poster. Becoming a JAG is an interest that has always been in the back of my mind, and before I take the plunge and apply I have some questions about which the group might have some insight. For my background, I’m a T14 grad, did a federal district court clerkship, spent several years at a V10 Biglaw firm in litigation, and for the past several years I’ve worked in a litigating component at DOJ. I have several friends who are currently Army Reserve JAGs, some of whom are prior active duty, some of whom joined the reserves directly, all of whom have told me that they enjoy their experience and are able to manage it and the other commitments in their lives. It seems like the Army Reserve would be the best option for me, though I would not be able to apply until next year, given that the end of this year’s application period is a few days away. Anyway, here are the areas about which I have questions/thoughts:

1. Age: I’m under 40, and will still be at the time I apply, but above the posted age cutoff for the Army Reserve JAG Corps. My friends have told me that age waivers are relatively easy to obtain, however, and I’m in good physical shape with no history of serious physical or mental injuries. Is that accurate?

2. Family: My wife and I have a child under two years old, and we are planning to have another within the next year. One of the best parts of leaving Biglaw for DOJ was gaining more control over my schedule, both to help out at home and see my child more. Joining JAG would require about four months away from home for initial training, followed by the regular monthly and annual periods of service, leaving my wife as the sole parent for up to two young children during those times, and even though we have relatives nearby who would be more than happy to help out, I feel somewhat guilty about missing time with my family. Many of my friends who currently serve in the reserves also have young children, so I know it is possible, but I’m curious about how anyone else has addressed this tension.

3. Career: I plan to stay at DOJ as long as I can, but it is more likely than not that I will return to Biglaw at some point in the future. From what I understand, maintaining a reserve JAG commitment while working in government is very doable, but doing so in private practice, especially Biglaw, is much more difficult. The last thing I want to do is overburden myself in the future, especially if I am making a push for partnership upon returning to private practice. Is my career likely to plateau in either private practice or the JAG Corps if I attempt to do both at the same time? Is the great philosopher Ron Swanson right in saying: “Never half ass two things. Whole ass one thing.”

[Anonymous User]

First off: Great that you're considering JAG. It sounds like you have the right attitude and are asking the right questions. Your background should make you very competitive for admission. Best of luck to you!

My background: I was accepted to reserve JAG in Dec. 2023. Went through the year-long accessions process, including a lengthy medical waiver process for a previous ADHD diagnosis. Just got sworn in and assigned to my unit, but have not done the initial training yet; it's scheduled for next year.

1. I was over the posted age cutoff when I applied, had to submit an age waiver, and was accepted. The advice I received was that their main concern in that you'll be physically capable of completing training and serving. I focused my age waiver on my physical background (was a college athlete), current workout routine, the sports I do now, and how I've been taking practice ACFT tests. I was granted the age waiver with no issue, so from my experience, what you've heard is correct, as long as you're in good physical shape (let them know this explicitly) with no history of injuries.

2. My wife and I are expecting our first child in February. I scheduled my initial training for this past year, so that I could get it out of the way before the baby arrived. But, for bureaucratic reasons outside of my control, it's been postponed twice and I'll now have to be away next year when the baby is here. It's very important that your wife is fully onboard with you joining. They try to work with you around your schedule, but delays and unexpected things happen, and the needs of the Army often conflict with family needs. This is part of serving that can't be avoided, so make sure you and your spouse are on the same page and ready for that commitment. If my wife wasn't fully onboard and supportive, it would be nearly impossible to balance and manage the stress on the family. Don't want to deter you, just an honest word of warning here.

3. I'm a solo practitioner, so somebody else would be better to answer this.

Again, best of luck! This forum was a great resource and a ton of help during my application and accessions process.

Long time reader, first time poster. Becoming a JAG is an interest that has always been in the back of my mind, and before I take the plunge and apply I have some questions about which the group might have some insight. For my background, I’m a T14 grad, did a federal district court clerkship, spent several years at a V10 Biglaw firm in litigation, and for the past several years I’ve worked in a litigating component at DOJ. I have several friends who are currently Army Reserve JAGs, some of whom are prior active duty, some of whom joined the reserves directly, all of whom have told me that they enjoy their experience and are able to manage it and the other commitments in their lives. It seems like the Army Reserve would be the best option for me, though I would not be able to apply until next year, given that the end of this year’s application period is a few days away. Anyway, here are the areas about which I have questions/thoughts:

1. Age: I’m under 40, and will still be at the time I apply, but above the posted age cutoff for the Army Reserve JAG Corps. My friends have told me that age waivers are relatively easy to obtain, however, and I’m in good physical shape with no history of serious physical or mental injuries. Is that accurate?

2. Family: My wife and I have a child under two years old, and we are planning to have another within the next year. One of the best parts of leaving Biglaw for DOJ was gaining more control over my schedule, both to help out at home and see my child more. Joining JAG would require about four months away from home for initial training, followed by the regular monthly and annual periods of service, leaving my wife as the sole parent for up to two young children during those times, and even though we have relatives nearby who would be more than happy to help out, I feel somewhat guilty about missing time with my family. Many of my friends who currently serve in the reserves also have young children, so I know it is possible, but I’m curious about how anyone else has addressed this tension.

3. Career: I plan to stay at DOJ as long as I can, but it is more likely than not that I will return to Biglaw at some point in the future. From what I understand, maintaining a reserve JAG commitment while working in government is very doable, but doing so in private practice, especially Biglaw, is much more difficult. The last thing I want to do is overburden myself in the future, especially if I am making a push for partnership upon returning to private practice. Is my career likely to plateau in either private practice or the JAG Corps if I attempt to do both at the same time? Is the great philosopher Ron Swanson right in saying: “Never half ass two things. Whole ass one thing.”

[Patrick Bateman]

Long time reader, first time poster. Becoming a JAG is an interest that has always been in the back of my mind, and before I take the plunge and apply I have some questions about which the group might have some insight. For my background, I’m a T14 grad, did a federal district court clerkship, spent several years at a V10 Biglaw firm in litigation, and for the past several years I’ve worked in a litigating component at DOJ. I have several friends who are currently Army Reserve JAGs, some of whom are prior active duty, some of whom joined the reserves directly, all of whom have told me that they enjoy their experience and are able to manage it and the other commitments in their lives. It seems like the Army Reserve would be the best option for me, though I would not be able to apply until next year, given that the end of this year’s application period is a few days away. Anyway, here are the areas about which I have questions/thoughts:

1. Age: I’m under 40, and will still be at the time I apply, but above the posted age cutoff for the Army Reserve JAG Corps. My friends have told me that age waivers are relatively easy to obtain, however, and I’m in good physical shape with no history of serious physical or mental injuries. Is that accurate?

2. Family: My wife and I have a child under two years old, and we are planning to have another within the next year. One of the best parts of leaving Biglaw for DOJ was gaining more control over my schedule, both to help out at home and see my child more. Joining JAG would require about four months away from home for initial training, followed by the regular monthly and annual periods of service, leaving my wife as the sole parent for up to two young children during those times, and even though we have relatives nearby who would be more than happy to help out, I feel somewhat guilty about missing time with my family. Many of my friends who currently serve in the reserves also have young children, so I know it is possible, but I’m curious about how anyone else has addressed this tension.

3. Career: I plan to stay at DOJ as long as I can, but it is more likely than not that I will return to Biglaw at some point in the future. From what I understand, maintaining a reserve JAG commitment while working in government is very doable, but doing so in private practice, especially Biglaw, is much more difficult. The last thing I want to do is overburden myself in the future, especially if I am making a push for partnership upon returning to private practice. Is my career likely to plateau in either private practice or the JAG Corps if I attempt to do both at the same time? Is the great philosopher Ron Swanson right in saying: “Never half ass two things. Whole ass one thing.”

Disclaimer than I am on the USAF side so I won't weigh in on the Army specific stuff. But we have enough in common here on the remainder.

Family: Your spouse obviously needs to be fully on board with what the additional commitment will mean. Just like the civ v. mil balancing you are weighing on #3, the family balancing is not much different. Everything has an opportunity cost. They need to understand what the both of you are signing up for.

If you have spousal support, with the additional family that can also step in, it is all very workable. I've made it work now with two younger kids for years - but only with full support back at home.

There can also be some good stuff and opportunities mixed into this as well. I had my oldest join me on the back end of a two week course I attended in DC - they had a blast doing the full DC experience. Same when I had a reserve assignment in Europe - the whole family came for that.


Career: This is all a very important concern if a goal for you down the line is Biglaw partner. I don't know anything on the realities of private practice like that and if you'd be actually shooting yourself in the foot with JAG, or if it would just represent some additional challenges on the way to the bigger office.

At least on the Air Force side, if you are doing your minimum points and having a good year each year, checking all the required boxes like PME, and otherwise staying out of trouble, you are probably going to make O-5. I think balancing as an IMA or Traditional Reservist at a "min points for the year" level can work with BigLaw. That is still going to mean 3-4 weeks out of the office a year once you are at your unit if an IMA. Being a TR might be even easier to balance, though you will be losing some/all of your Friday and then the weekend once a month.

Making O-6 in the Reserve requires a lot more and multiple years of doing a lot more. But that is not everyone's goal - nor should it be. You also have a VERY long time before you need to figure out if that is something you would want to gun for or not.

I personally know multiple folks that have been very successful with their law firm and military careers. It is a lot of work for them - but they have been able to thread the needle. There just will be times where you have to be shifting where you are going "whole ass" - put another way, you will have to have to pick which of your two Caesars you will be rendering your time, but that may shift over the years depending on life and your goals.

Best of luck!