Legal Jobs in the Military
In recent years leading up to 2011, television series such as JAG, which stands for U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corp, and NCIS, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, along with movies like Jack Nicholson's A Few Good Men, have placed a particular spotlight on legal jobs in the military. Each branch of the military --Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard -- offers a range of opportunities in the field of law, ranging from supporting law enforcement roles to judges.
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Military Attorneys
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Practicing attorneys in the military provide legal support for military operations in everything from criminal law to civil and administrative law to international law and even contract law international law. A JAG attorney might assist a solder with writing a will, offer a legal opinion on proposed military action or might serve as a litigator, either as a prosecutor or defense attorney, in a criminal action suit.
Supporting Legal Roles
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The position of Army's Criminal Investigations Special Agent is akin to being a detective or private investigator in the civilian world. These special agents investigate crimes from fraud to counterintelligence to security issues, using tactics such as investigating witnesses, conducting polygraph exams, working with forensic labs to solve crimes and more.
Paralegals, known in some branches as Legalmen, prepare and process legal documents in support of personal matters, separation, courts martial and other administrative proceedings.
Military intelligence officers gather intelligence, assess risks and neutralize threats.
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Other Law-Related Careers
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Beyond attorneys and careers that directly support the legal system within the military, there are other law enforcement opportunities. Military police are responsible for base law enforcement and security as well as for crime investigation, traffic control and emergency response. They also do reconnaissance, conduct surveillance and gather intelligence.
Internment/Resettlement Specialists may be corrections officers or have other duties related to the detention of military prisoners in corrections facilities or detention centers.
Legal Career Requirements
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Requirements for legal careers within the military include educational requirements as well as age limits. Applicants to the Army's Judge Advocate General's Corp, for example, must be a U.S. citizen, hold a law degree, have been admitted to the bar in at least one state and be under the age of 42 (which would allow for 20 years of active duty prior to age 62). Some jobs require officer training, while others share basic military admission requirements, such as a high school diploma or GED, completion of basic training and other specialized on-the-job training.
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