How likely is it that I can get into Navy JAG on my first try? What are the necessary credentials?

Question

I really want to get into the Navy JAG. I am almost finished with the application process for the October board. I am a third year student with pretty good credentials. I want to hear from those who have been accepted to Navy JAG or know someone accepted and who could tell me what you think it takes to get in.

Answer 1

Student Program Direct Appointment Program
Law Education Program Intern Program

Direct Appointment (DA) Fact Sheet Aug 2005

1. General. The Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps Direct Appointment Program (DA) permits licensed attorneys to be appointed directly into the Navy JAG Corps beginning as lieutenants (junior grade). DA participants will serve at least four years on active duty followed by at least four years on the list of inactive JAG Corps. This is a small program designed to supplement JAG Corps with experienced and capable trial-level litigators and leaders. For the foreseeable future, approximately five attorneys will be selected for commissioning annually.

2. Eligibility. To be eligible for appointment in the Navy JAG Corps as a lieutenant (junior grade), designator 2505, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

a. be a United States citizen of good moral character.
b. be younger than 42 years of age at time commissioning and commencing extended active duty in the October following application for commission;
c. meet the physical requirements for commission in the Navy;
d. be a graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association and be admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court of a State, Territory, or Commonwealth or the District of Columbia.

*Please note that prior commissioned officers must be able to complete 20 years of active commissioned time before their 62nd birthday.

3. Participants will commence their extended active duty by attending Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, RI. This course is approximately five weeks in length and is normally offered in the October following application and selection. The second step in the training pipeline is the Basic Lawyer Course at Naval Justice School (NJS), also located in Newport, RI. The course is approximately nine weeks in length and covers trial advocacy and military law. Upon graduation from NJS, new judge advocates report to their first duty stations. There will also be an additional week at Naval Justice School, either before or after the Basic Lawyer course, for Basic Operations Law training. Service of the four-year active duty obligation that appointed officers incur does not commence until they have reported to their first duty station.

4. Accelerated Promotion. Directly Appointed officers receive service credit of three years for the period that they attended law school. This service credit is what enables these officers to be appointed as lieutenants (junior grade) rather than ensigns. Longevity for basic pay will be computed on the basis of the directly appointed officer’s pay entry base date, which is, in the absence of prior service, the date that s/he is commissioned. Directly Appointed officers should expect promotion to paygrade O-3 (Lieutenant) approximately one year after their commencement of active duty.

5. Application Procedure. A selection board meets once annually and its application deadline is the first Friday in June of each year. * In addition to the June 2, 2006 deadline, a Special Direct Appointment selection board will held in April with a deadline for applications of March 3, 2006. Application forms and instructions can be obtained from your Navy officer programs recruiter. Call 1-800-USA-NAVY to find a recruiter nearest you.



Candidates forward their application forward to a local Navy Recruiting District office (NRD) for competitive screening by a Navy JAGC selection board. If the applicant is recommended for commissioning, NRD and Headquarters, Navy Recruiting Command complete the commissioning requirements, including medical examination and security investigation. The successful candidate is then commissioned at the NRD.

6. Additional Information. For more information about the Navy JAG Corps, including pay and benefits, nature of work and possible assignment locations, please visit our website www.jag.navy.mil. Under the “Careers” section, open the “Frequently Asked Questions”.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How likely is it that I can get into Navy JAG on my first try? What are the necessary credentials?
I really want to get into the Navy JAG. I am almost finished with the application process for the October board. I am a third year student with pretty good credentials. I want to hear from those who have been accepted to Navy JAG or know someone accepted and who could tell me what you think it...

Answer 3

Navy Jag Student Program

Answer 4

The players in the JAG (Judge Advocate General) office are lawyers. That means that they have completed college and law school, and many have passed the bar.

The service will be very supportive of getting you into the JAG's office with credentials like that.

Other personnel in the JAG include support personnel, who are administrative and clerical folks, and support staff who tend to be assigned as assistants to the lawyers.