Frequently Asked Questions

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JAG CORPS

As a Judge Advocate, you won't participate in the Basic Training that enlisted Soldiers complete. Instead, you'll attend the Direct Commission Course (DCC), an intensive physical, weapons, and leadership course that will prepare you to serve as an Officer.
After completing the DCC, you’ll attend the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC). Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises, you’ll be immersed in military law and learn every aspect of the JAG Corps’ organization, function, and mission.

After completing the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC), Judge Advocates report to one of the Army’s worldwide law offices and immediately begin practicing law.

Yes, you must meet height weight standards. However, you may be exempt if you score 540+ on the Army Combat Fitness Test; 80 points or more in each event. To find out more information, click on this link.

There are two things you’ll need to do as part of the JAG Corps application process: submit an application and interview with a Judge Advocate who is designated as a Field Screening Officer (FSO).
To learn more about the process, click on APPLY

“JAG” stands for judge advocate general. These are servicemembers who are also lawyers. Though “JAG” is a popular descriptor for a servicemember lawyer, the Army prefers “Judge Advocate” or “JA” instead. There are over 1800 JAs in the Army worldwide, ranking from First Lieutenant to Lieutenant General.

In 1775, George Washington requested the Continental Congress appoint William Tudor to serve as the Judge Advocate General. Judge Advocate General Tudor’s position was created to address the backlog of courts martial, though Washington envisioned the position to serve areas outside of military justice as well. Since the Revolution, the American Army has had its own lawyers who assist commanders in enforcing Army standards and reinforcing Army values. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage thrive when Soldiers know that they will be treated equally, and that rules and regulations apply to all, regardless of rank or assignment.

No. Each service branch has their own corps of lawyers. To apply with a branch to be a servicemember lawyer, you must follow that branch’s application instructions. Because each branch has their own hiring criteria, there is not a universal application for becoming a Judge Advocate.

No. Some of our Judge Advocates attended a military college or university, but the vast majority did not. In the JAG Corps, your military education will begin after you accept the offer of commission. Most lawyers who join the corps know very little about military law before they join, and the Army ensures all selects receive the best education available through The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Learn more about the type of training new lawyers receive.

A traditional law school curriculum takes three years or six semesters to complete. Some law schools offer alternate programs, either accelerated to five semesters or expanded to eight semesters. To apply to law school, you should review the information available on the Law School Admissions Council website, www.lsac.org.

Yes. The Army utilizes the Education Delay Program for cadets attending law school. In this program, your service obligation is suspended while you are in law school. Education Delay Program members apply for the Army JAG Corps their final year of law school in the regular active duty application cycle.

No. You may apply for Direct Commission in your final year of law school. Because we must wait on you to become a licensed attorney before scheduling you for officer training, you will not become a servicemember until after the bar exam results are released and you are licensed to practice law.
If you are a law student or ROTC cadet, you may apply for internship or externship opportunities. Here is more information about opportunities for students.

Yes, there are programs that provide tuition support for Army Soldiers. The first is the Funded Legal Education Program, which pays law school tuition for 25 active duty Army officers and non-commissioned officers each year. For Soldiers with Post-9/11 G.I. Bill funds available, you can choose to have those funds cover all or part of your law school tuition, depending on if the school is public or private. Separate from those programs are tuition repayment incentives for Army Judge Advocates. Currently, all active duty Judge Advocates are eligible for a $65,000 tuition repayment incentive. Tuition programs and incentives are subject to change.

You can find our compensation breakdown HERE. Other incentives may be available as your career advances, such as retention bonuses or student loan repayment incentives. If you are in law school, attend the on campus Field Screening Officer presentation during your fall semester to learn more.

Yes. As a law student summer intern or summer associate, you are a compensated civilian employee. 1Ls and 2Ls are paid at different rates, and more information about applying for the internship can be found HERE. The Army JAG Corps offers a summer associate program for law students interested in civilian careers with the federal government, and more information about that program can be found HERE. Externships are also available, which are uncompensated but may qualify for academic credit through your law school’s experiential learning curriculum.

Every year, Field Service Officers (FSOs) visit ABA-accredited law schools across the country. These officers are Judge Advocates who have special training to present relevant recruiting materials to law students. To find the FSO assigned to your law school, visit the APPLY tab and search the Active Duty FSO list for your school.

Physical fitness is part of a Judge Advocate’s duties. Because Army Judge Advocates are Soldiers, they must remain physically fit according to the Army’s standards. Newly commissioned Judge Advocates do not participate in traditional “boot camp” like the media portrays. Instead, Judge Advocates will attend a Direct Commission Course. Throughout a Judge Advocate’s career, they will be evaluated using a six-part physical fitness test called the Army Combat Fitness Test. Learn more about physical fitness requirements HERE.

Deployment is the temporary movement of a Soldier away from their assigned duty station to a designated infrastructure for a specific mission. If you are deployed as a Judge Advocate, your responsibilities as a lawyer remain essentially the same. Deployed Judge Advocates practice national security law, defend soldiers accused of crimes, practice administrative law, engage in contract and fiscal cases, provide legal advice to leaders, and prosecute crimes. The physical infrastructure will change, but the work of a lawyer for the Army remains the same.

No, we choose not to supply a list of disqualifying conditions because each applicant’s medical status is unique. If an applicant is interested, they should apply and allow our medical evaluator to determine if they are qualified or unqualified. For those indicated as unqualified, there is a medical waiver process available.

Absolutely. The Army is powered by its people. Judge Advocates don’t just join the Army, they join the Army family. Among other benefits and resources, you can access:
Resources for wellness, nutrition and healthy living planning, indoor/outdoor recreation, resettlement planning and support services, career support for your spouse, childcare and youth programs, and parenting support and education resources for new parents. Many posts offer entertainment like bowling alleys and movie theaters for Soldiers and their families, regardless of whether they live on post or not.

Yes, for spouses who are licensed attorneys, we offer a Military Attorney Spouse Program. Career opportunities with the Army JAG Corps are also available for civilian attorneys, in person and remote, through the competitive hiring process. These positions are listed on USAJobs.gov. Visit the CIVILIAN tab to view tips for finding Army JAG Corps civilian jobs on USAjobs.gov. Spouse attorneys are also welcome to volunteer with the legal assistance office at their post, which affords them the opportunity to support the legal needs of Soldiers at every level.

First, thank you for supporting our mission to recruit the best talent. Second, in addition to sharing your own experience as a servicemember lawyer, our “Day in the Life of a JA” videos are an excellent resource. Each video features a current JA telling their story. For specific information on hiring timelines, benefits and compensation information, and hiring criteria, please direct them to our website. Judge Advocate Recruiting Office team members are just a phone call away. Visit the CONTACT tab to locate our roster.