Cameron Miranda
The US Army offers several avenues for those interested in pursuing a law degree. The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Legal Center and School, also known as The JAG School, is the only military law school accredited by the ABA. It offers a Master of Laws (LLM) degree to experienced candidates from every service. Additionally, the Army provides opportunities for paralegal and legal administrator roles, which can provide valuable experience and training before pursuing a law degree. The Army also offers educational benefits, such as the GI Bill, which can be used to fund law school education. However, it is important to consider the cost-benefit analysis, as a law degree can be expensive and may not guarantee employment as a lawyer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law degree options in the Army | JD, MLS, LLM |
| Army-run law schools | Judge Advice General’s Legal Center and School (The JAG School) |
| JAG School's degree offering | Master of Laws degree (LLM) |
| JAG School's accreditation | ABA-accredited |
| JAG School's student profile | DCO judge advocates |
| JAG School's benefits | On-the-job experience as a JAG lawyer |
| ROTC option | Available for Air Force and Army cadets |
| Educational delay option | Available for ROTC students in their fourth year |
| Reserve duty option | Available for ROTC graduates |
| GI Bill option | Available for veterans |
| LSAT advantage | Available for vets |
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What You'll Learn
The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School
The Judge Advocate Generals Legal Center and School (JAGS) is a military law school run by the US Army. It is the only military law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the only ABA-accredited legal program that does not award JD degrees. The school is led by a colonel who serves as the dean, and the centre is led by a colonel who serves as the legal centre director. The JAG School is generally considered the most exclusive graduate service academy within the US.
The initial entry training into the JAG Corps comprises two phases: a 6-week Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Moore, Georgia, followed by military legal training at the JAG School. The Judge Advocate Officer Graduate Course is the school's flagship course, accredited by the ABA. The course prepares experienced military attorneys for more senior roles and increased responsibility within their services. Students who complete the course are awarded a Master of Laws degree in Military Law. Each class consists of attorneys from across the US Armed Forces, as well as international military students and Army civilian attorneys.
The JAG School was first located in Clark Hall, then behind it in what is now Kerchof Hall. In 1975, the school moved to the University of Virginia (UVA)'s North Grounds, sharing a building with UVA's Law School. JAG students often share courses with UVA law students, and multiple UVA law professors serve as Army JAG officers. The Legal Center and School (LCS) is led by a brigadier general who serves as commander, with a chief warrant officer and a command sergeant major also serving as senior enlisted advisors. The school's four academic departments are led by lieutenant colonels, and faculty members are licensed attorneys and members of the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.
The JAG Legal Center & School Materials include issues of the Military Law Review and The Army Lawyer, as well as deskbooks, handbooks, and training manuals for JAG officers. The Center for Law and Military Operations (CLAMO) holds extensive collections of primary source materials and publications in military law.
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ROTC and FLEP programs
The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) is a route to law school for active-duty officers or non-commissioned officers. The program is authorized under 10 U.S. Code sec. 2004, which allows the Secretary of each military department to detail up to 25 officers and enlisted members as students at accredited U.S. law schools each fiscal year. To be eligible, you must be an active-duty servicemember in the grades of 0-1 to 0-3 or E-5 to E-7, have a bachelor's degree, and possess at least a secret security clearance. Officers must have between two and six years of active duty service as of the law school start date, while non-commissioned officers must have between four and eight years. Participants in the FLEP program are guaranteed to maintain their Active Duty status during law school, including rank progression, pay, and benefits.
FLEP is not available to Cadets; instead, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program is an option for Cadets interested in law school. However, it is important to note that ROTC contracts are open contracts, committing Cadets to commissioning as an Officer without specifying the type of Officer. Therefore, there is no guarantee of becoming a Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer through the ROTC program alone. To become a JAG Officer, it is recommended to complete a law degree and direct commission, as this streamlines the process and guarantees a slot as a JAG Officer.
The Air Force ROTC offers a two-year Graduate Law Program (GLP) for law students. Cadets selected for the GLP are guaranteed a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon successful completion of the program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and fulfilment of legal licensing requirements. Additionally, Air Force ROTC cadets can apply for the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP), which allows them to attend a civilian medical school of their choice while receiving tuition assistance.
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Paralegal specialists and legal administrators
To become a paralegal specialist in the Army, you must meet certain requirements. During your Advanced Individual Training, you will learn several different paralegal specialist skills, including legal terms and research, how to prepare legal documents, the judicial process for the Army, and the proper way to interview a witness. In addition, you must have light physical strength and have received an ASVAB score of 105 in aptitude. You will also need a minimum typing speed of 30 words per minute, no court-martials or other disciplinary charges on your record, and no civilian criminal charges other than traffic violations.
Paralegal specialists in the Army are offered a competitive salary and benefits package, including affordable or free healthcare, bonuses, allowances for housing, food, and clothing, and education benefits.
The US Air Force also employs paralegal specialists, who work under the supervision of Judge Advocate Generals (attorneys) to provide legal counsel and services to their clients. They work in a wide range of legal practices, including research and interviews, processing cases, and discovery management. To become a paralegal specialist in the Air Force, you must meet certain requirements regarding your background, health, and other standards set by the Air Force, Department of Defense, and federal law. You must be between 17 and 42 years old and obtain a qualifying ASVAB score.
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GI Bill
The GI Bill can be used to fund a law degree, although it may not cover all the costs. The GI Bill covers tuition fees, and in some cases, individuals have been able to negotiate a cost-of-living scholarship on top of this. The VA will pay off all tuition costs, and any scholarships that are not tuition-specific can be kept by the individual.
The GI Bill can be used in conjunction with the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a partnership between private law schools and Veterans Affairs. This program covers tuition and fees that cost more than the GI Bill cap, with the school paying a certain amount over the cap, and the VA matching it. This means that a private law degree can be 100% free.
There are certain requirements that must be met to be eligible for the maximum GI Bill rate, and then eligible individuals can apply to participating Yellow Ribbon schools.
The Army also offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) for Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants First Class, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants from different divisions in the Regular Army. Applicants must be US citizens on the Active Duty List with a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Officers should have between two and six years of active duty service, while enlisted applicants need four to eight years at the law school start date. This program is highly competitive, with only up to 25 active-duty officers selected annually.
Additionally, ROTC students in their fourth year can request an educational delay before commissioning to give them time to attend law school.
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LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardised test for prospective law school candidates. It is an integral part of the law school admission process in the United States, Canada (for common law programs), the University of Melbourne in Australia, and other countries. The test is designed to assess reading comprehension and logical reasoning and is a good predictor of first-year law school performance.
The LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting quality, access, and equity in law and education. The current form of the exam has been used since 1991, although the test has existed in some form since 1948. From its inception until 1981, scores were reported on a 200-800 scale; from 1981 to 1991, a 48-point scale was used. Since 1991, the scale has ranged from 120 to 180, with a median score of around 150.
The LSAT consists of four sections, including multiple-choice questions and an unscored writing section. The multiple-choice portion includes two scored logical reasoning sections and one scored reading comprehension section, plus one unscored variable section. Starting in August 2024, the LSAT will introduce LSAT Argumentative Writing, a new approach to the writing assessment that responds to the evolving needs of the legal profession. All LSAT takers are required to complete a written essay.
The LSAT is offered in person at a test centre or remotely on one's own computer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LSAC created the LSAT-Flex, an online proctored test first administered in May 2020. The LSAT-Flex consisted of three sections (logic games, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning) and was scored on the normal 120-180 scale. The name LSAT-Flex was dropped after June 2021, but the format continued to be used through the testing cycle that ended in June 2022.
Taking practice tests is the best way to prepare for the LSAT. Free Official LSAT PrepTests are available, and an upgrade provides access to an extensive library of full, official LSAT sample tests.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to get a law degree while serving in the army. The army offers educational benefits and programs like ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and FLEP that can help fund your law degree. Additionally, the army operates the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, also known as The JAG School, which is an ABA-accredited military law school.
Getting a law degree in the army can provide you with unique opportunities and advantages. A law degree, combined with military experience and personal qualities, can open doors to various fields, including non-profit work, starting a charity, or entering public service. The army also offers specialized training and experience in military law, which can enhance your legal expertise.
There are a few important considerations to make. Firstly, law school is a significant time and financial commitment, so it's essential to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio. Secondly, while a law degree can open doors to various careers, the job market for lawyers is competitive, and not all law graduates become lawyers. It's crucial to research your desired career path and understand the specific requirements and challenges. Lastly, consider your financing options, such as utilizing a GI Bill, and assess whether the commitment aligns with your goals and aspirations.
