ShortTimeLurker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 30, 2023 4:33 pm
I've been lurking this thread for years and I'm finally a rising 3L getting ready to apply to the JAG Corps. I could use some guidance on picking a branch. Shoutout to ya'll for the knowledge, especially Patrick.
I interned with both the Air Force and Army JAG Corps. I want to join to get national security law (operations law) experience and then move to something like the DOD Office of General Counsel's International Affairs Division. (Or any similar agency that advises on national security law.)
I know that the Air Force makes everyone a generalist - prosecuting cases, legal assistance, and miscellaneous administrative law issues. I like that because I like the idea of some practice diversity, and I enjoy trial advocacy a lot. As I understand it, when they notice you're good at something they start throwing more of that at you. I have been advised to be patient for those opportunities and seek assignments at bases with a heavier operational focus, like Hurlburt.
In the Army, I know that you usually start by doing legal assistance for the first year and nothing else. After that you do what you're told, but I hear the Army has more need of national security law practice and has a few NSL-dedicated shops, including in the Pentagon. I'll also admit jump school is a teenage fantasy of mine. But I'm worried about getting stuck in jobs I don't like.
Any thoughts?
Can speak on the Army perspective.
It is true that you aren't going to start in NSL, and in fact, you aren't likely to touch NSL until the back half of your CPT years (most NSL jobs are O4+). They want NSL attorneys to have strong military bearings so they aren't going to throw them into the fire right off the bat. I have seen a CPT get it as their second assignment, right after Administrative Law (his starting point), but that's not common.
The vast majority of CPTs do some combination of Legal Assistance, Administrative Law, Special Victims' Counsel, SAUSA, Military Justice Advisor/Trial Counsel, or Trial Defense Services as their first 2-3 jobs.
Then once you finish your initial jobs, the doors swing wide open. You will get more opportunity to craft your career once you get some initial work under your belt, and especially when you PCS. That's when you can really gun for NSL.
ShortTimeLurker wrote: ↑Fri Jun 30, 2023 4:33 pm
I'll also admit jump school is a teenage fantasy of mine.
I graduated jump school in May, there were 4 total JAGs in my class. If you're in an Airborne/Special Forces unit it's pretty easy to go. Hell, my unit has a JAG Jumpmaster. If you're hellbent on going to Airborne school, the easiest way is to just ask to get sent to Fort Liberty.
Every single major command on Fort Liberty is willing to send their JAGs to airborne school; 82nd, 18th, 3rd Group, and 1SFC.
Also, I am compelled by law to link this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ6QX-OsWUc