Regular Army Transition Program

JOIN THE ARMY JAG CORPS!

Eligible U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Judge Advocates (JAs) seeking to transition full-time to the Regular Army may apply at any time in accordance with the instructions below.

  • Be a current USAR JA in the grade of captain (O-3) with at least 24 months of active service as a JA in the USAR.
  • For purposes of this board, active service in the USAR can be in either a Troop Program Unit (TPU) or Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) status, pursuant to the requirements of Army Regulation (AR) 135-91 (Service Obligations, Methods of Fulfillment, Participation Requirements, and Enforcement Procedures).
  • Time spent as a JA on active duty orders pursuant to mobilization, deployment, and/or training while in a TPU or IMA status is also creditable as active service in the USAR. Time spent in the Individual Ready Reserve will not count toward the active service requirement.
  • Applicants who have been twice non-selected for promotion to a higher grade are not eligible for consideration.
  • Applicants must be in a favorable personnel status (not flagged) in order to apply.
  • Applicants must be graduates of the Direct Commission Course (or have received a waiver) and the JA Officer Basic Course.
  • Applicants must meet the appointment criteria of 10 U.S.C. § 532, Army Regulation (AR) 27-1, para. 9-2, and other applicable laws and regulations.
  • NOTE: A mobilization or deployment is not required, but will be considered as a factor in evaluating the applicant's overall suitability for an RA appointment in the JAGC.

USAR JAs may apply for transition to the Regular Army at any time. JARO will review each application for completeness and verify eligibility before consideration by a standing board. If selected for Regular Army service, JARO will initiate the accessions process with the applicant. The selection and accession processes will be conducted as expeditiously as possible.

  • Offers will be made based on the needs of the JAG Corps. Officers will incur a four-year active duty service obligation IAW 10 U.S.C. § 651 and AR 350-100.
  • Date of rank will be determined IAW AR 600-8-29, and AR 27-1.
  • JARO will coordinate and verify all RA accessions requirements, including scrolling, completion of the DD Form 368 (Request for Conditional Release), and administration of the oath of office (DA Form 71).
  • The CPTs Career Manager will determine selected applicants’ assignments consistent with TJAG's intent and the policy guidance in JALS Pub 1-1, para. 5-5a.

  1. Current Selection Board Brief. The SRB is available through Reserve Career Management Self-Service (https://selfservice.rcms.usar.army.mil/SelfService). After downloading your record brief, redact the following: date of birth, birth place, religion, sex, race.
  2. Memorandum explaining the officer’s motivation to transition to the RA.
  3. Letter of endorsement from the first O-6 in the applicant’s technical chain or the chain of command.
  4. Record of current and prior military service, including DD Form 214(s), copies of all officer evaluation reports and academic evaluation reports, and a current statement of retirement points (DA Form 5016 (USAR) available through the HRC Portal at https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/Portal).
  5. Up to three letters of recommendation (optional). Letters of recommendation should use the following address and greeting: Judge Advocate Recruiting Office, 9275 Gunston Road, Suite 4000, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 / "Dear President and Members of the Board." Any letters physically mailed or emailed to JARO will be discarded.
  6. Resume
  7. Transcripts of undergraduate, graduate, and law school studies where a degree was awarded or where the applicant is currently enrolled.
  8. Certificate of good standing from the clerk of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia showing admission to practice and standing before the bar. The Certificate must have been issues by the licensing authority within 6 months of the application. A bar card is not sufficient.
  9. DA Form 5500/5501 (Body Fat Content Worksheet) if applicable.
  10. A statement that the officer is not flagged under the provisions of AR 600-8-2.

The documents listed above should be compiled into one PDF document (portfolio format is preferred) in the order listed. Ensure all pages are correctly oriented. The combined PDF should be emailed to JARO at usarmy.pentagon.hqda-otjag.mbx.jaro@mail.mil. The subject line should read: “Regular Army Transition Application for Last name, First Name”. JARO will confirm receipt once your application has been received.