How to Be Considered for the JAG Program

Each branch of the military has its own corps of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) or attorneys who work for the military. In the JAG program, you can gain intensive experience in litigation or other areas of law directly out of law school. Here are some tips to help improve your chances of becoming a JAG.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. You must be an American citizen to be recruited by JAG.
2. Attend an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school.
3. Apply to the JAG program as soon as you are eligible. Law students are eligible to apply after one year of law school.
4. Set out your accomplishments clearly in your resume. JAG will consider extracurricular activities, community service, prior military experience (if any) and work experience in addition to academic standing when interviewing candidates.
5. Participate in athletics. Athleticism helps increase your chances of getting into JAG.
6. Take care of your health. Even minor health issues, like a heart murmur, can hurt your chances to become a JAG officer.
7. Ask for letters of recommendation from law school faculty and people you've worked with professionally who can speak to your skills and integrity.
8. Act professionally and courteously during your interview. Neatness counts. As with any job, also follow up your interview with a thank you note to the interviewer.
9. Make sure you understand the commitment you're making. JAG officers commit to four years of active duty. After that, JAG officers can remain in JAG or become a reservist to fulfill their remaining commitment to JAG.

Tips & Warnings

• Often JAG will recruit on law school campuses or at job fairs. If you are interested in JAG, keep an eye out for on-campus interviews or other opportunities to interview.
• Find out if the branch of the military you are interested in allows law students to accrue years of service while still in law school. For example, the Navy JAG program has a Student Program (SP) that allows law students to be commissioned in the inactive Naval Reserve during law school. The Navy SP allows the law student to begin accruing years of service and results in increased pay when commissioned for active duty.
• Also remember the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy of the military regarding sexual orientation.
• Different branches of the armed services may have slightly different requirements regarding age when applying or terms of service. Research those differences before applying.

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