Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer
As a member of the Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, you’ll experience the most diverse legal practice available to an attorney. Working in locations around the world, you’ll get hands-on experience in everything from international law to civil litigation and military justice. Unlike many junior lawyers in private firms who spend their early years conducting research, as a Navy attorney you’ll begin working with real-world military clients from the moment you enter the JAG Corps.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Navy JAG Corps provides legal support for the fleet and enables the Navy mission throughout the world, both ashore and at sea. The JAG Corps is ideal for lawyers looking to gain hands-on legal experience in many different areas of law including:
• Military Justice
• Legal Assistance
• International Law
• Administrative Law
• Environmental Law
• Civil Litigation
• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• National Security Law
PAY AND BENEFITS
From the day you start, you’ll receive:
• Competitive salary
• Free health insurance
• Free housing
• A retirement plan
• 30 days paid vacation per year
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
As part of the culture of learning that the Navy JAG Corps fosters, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a Master of Law (LL.M.) degree fully funded by the Navy in areas of study including military law, international law, national security law, cybersecurity law, environmental law and trial advocacy. You’ll also have access to benefits that include:
• Loan Forgiveness: Military service qualifies as public service for the Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Under this program, Navy JAG Corps officers who serve for 10 years on active duty military service or have had a qualifying public service job for the last 10 years may have their federal student loans FULLY discharged.
• Retention Bonuses: Navy JAG Corps Officers are currently eligible for a total of $60,000 in retention bonuses paid over three installments at different career milestones that Officers can use to pay off their student debt.
• GI Bill & Transferability: Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, servicemembers can transfer some or all unused education benefits to their spouse or dependent children.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The position of JAG Corps Officer in the Navy Reserve is open only to those with current or prior active duty experience.
Student Program
The Student Program is the most common way to become a Navy JAG. To qualify for active duty
employment consideration in the Navy JAG Corps as a law student, you must meet these basic
qualifications:
• Have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Be a law student at an ABA-accredited law school with at least one year of school completed, or be a graduate of an ABA-accredited law school who has not yet taken the first available bar exam following graduation (students who attend law school part time or who intend to matriculate in a dual degree program must be within two years of completing all remaining degree requirements)
• Be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin active duty service. Waivers may be requested on a very limited basis
• Meet any additional basic requirements for commission in the Navy
Direct Appointment Program
To qualify for active duty employment consideration in the Navy JAG Corps as an already licensed attorney, you must meet these basic qualifications:
• Be a graduate of an ABA-accredited law school
• Be admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court of a state, territory or
Commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• Be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin active duty service
• Meet any additional basic requirements
WORK ENVIRONMENT
As a Navy JAG, you’ll have opportunities to serve in exciting and diverse assignments around the world. The Navy JAG practice also involves domestic and international travel, such as visiting bases and other installations.
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