Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello I am getting my JD and MA. I would like to become a JAG Officer in the Army. What rank would I be commissioned as? Do I get a bonus for completing my JD prior to being commissioned? If I were to complete ROTC while getting my professional degree, would my rank be different? Does a particular branch pay more for JAG officers? Can I be cross trained in other areas and still be a JAG? Thank you for taking time out to answer my questions.

ANSWER: Dear Future JAG Officer --

If you are a Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited US Law School, and have passed the Bar Exam in at least one state, you can earn a direct commission into the military in the Judge Advocate General corps.  You must still meet all the requirements of military service for health, physical fitness and morality.  The service you join must have a current need for lawyers.

If you are a high enough quality candidate, you can enter the service as a captain.  Practicing lawyers with a stellar legal reputation can earn even higher ranks, but if you are just out of law school, captain is the highest rank you can achieve upon direct commission.

All lawyers receive a professional bonus.  I do not know what the monthly professional pay for a lawyer is at this time.  You will learn basic military skills and weapons use, but if you are receiving professional pay, you must be serving as a JAG.

In some circumstances, you can use ROTC to complete your JAG degree.  If you take a commission prior to earning your JD, you cannot be commissioned into the JAG corps.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can you elaborate on "high enough quality candidate"?  If I simultaneously complete ROTC and my JD would I be able to be commissioned into the JAG corps? Thank you for answering so quickly.

Answer
Dear Future JAG --

Generally, high enough quality means you have been a practicing lawyer of good reputation prior to joining the military.  The following is an excerpt from the Army's JAG requirements document:

1. Be at least 21 years old and for appointment as a first lieutenant be younger than 33, and for appointment to captain be younger than 39 (waivers for those exceeding age limitations are available in exceptional cases).
2. Be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school.
3. Be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state or federal court.
4. Be of good moral character and possess leadership qualities. Applicants for appointment as JAGC officers may be appointed before completion of a security investigation or obtaining a Secret clearance provided they sign a statement of understanding.
5. Be physically fit. As part of the application process, you will be instructed to obtain a military physical examination that shows you are qualified for Officer Commissioning. This exam will
include a Drug and Alcohol Test (DAT). If height and weight listed in block 41 of DA Form 61 are not within Army limits (see Army Regulation 600-9), you will also be given a body/fat test. You must
also be prepared to take an Army Physical Fitness Test.

Because you will not have practical experience, and will be getting your first experiences in practicing law as a military JAG, you will probably be commissioned as a first lieutenant.  First lieutenant rank is usually not earned until at least three years of service.   

Good luck to you.