Anaya Nolan
There are various routes to becoming a lawyer in the military. One option is to earn a Juris Doctor before joining the service and then become a military officer through a Direct Commissioning program. Alternatively, individuals can enter the military and use active duty or veterans' educational benefits to pursue a law degree during or after their service. The Army ROTC route is another option, where cadets can request an educational delay during their fourth year to attend law school before going on active duty. The Navy does not currently offer a similar program for midshipmen to attend law school directly after commissioning. Some law schools also offer night classes or degree programs for working professionals, which can be combined with military service. However, it is important to carefully research and select a school that offers a flexible degree timeframe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of joining the military and going to law school at the same time | Possible, but challenging due to the demanding nature of law school; requires finding a school with a flexible degree timeframe and considering tuition costs |
| Military benefits for law school | Tuition assistance available while serving; GI Bill and scholarships can also help cover costs |
| Recommended approach | Earning a Juris Doctor before joining the military through a Direct Commissioning program or using educational benefits during/after service to pursue a law degree |
| ROTC programs | Army ROTC offers routes to become a lawyer in the military, including active duty with educational delay and reserve duty options; Air Force ROTC has the Educational Delay Law Program for cadets to pursue a law degree before active duty |
| JAG Corps entry | Application during the second semester of the third year of law school, considering factors like academic performance, extracurriculars, military record, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Military benefits for law school
Military service members and veterans can access various benefits to pursue a law degree. These benefits can help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. Here are some key benefits to consider:
The GI Bill
The original GI Bill, signed into law by President Roosevelt in 1944, provided returning veterans with access to low-interest mortgages and tuition grants. The bill has since been updated to cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, and offer transferability to spouses and children. The GI Bill can pay a portion of tuition, housing, books, and fees for law school. The Montgomery GI Bill program, for those who entered military service on or after July 1, 1985, provides up to 36 months of benefits, payable for 10 years after release from active duty.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program helps veterans attend private schools and graduate programs, like law school, that cost more than the state tuition cap. The program allows the VA to match veterans-only scholarships dollar-for-dollar, up to the full cost of tuition. Combined with the GI Bill, this can make top-tier law schools tuition-free or significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
Military Student Loan Repayment
The military offers student loan repayment options, typically capped at around $60,000. Service members may be offered bonuses to extend their service, which can help cover additional educational costs.
Legal Education Programs (FLEP/LEP)
Active-duty members can participate in legal education programs that fund their education in exchange for 6-10 years of service.
University-Specific Benefits
Some universities are designated as Military Friendly and offer additional benefits for military and veteran students. For example, the University of Virginia offers the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), which provides education benefits to spouses and children of qualifying veterans or service members. Additionally, eligible students at UVA Law can have their tuition and mandatory fees waived. Southwestern Law School, a Military Friendly institution, waives the $60 application fee for military and veteran students and assists them in utilizing their educational benefits effectively.
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ROTC and JAG Corps
ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) is an excellent avenue to become a lawyer in the military. The Army ROTC scholarship, for example, can be served concurrently while in law school as a drilling reservist.
The Educational Delay (Ed Delay) program is designed to produce Active Duty Judge Advocates from current ROTC cadets. Cadets granted an Ed Delay are commissioned after graduation and placed in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) during law school. While participation in Ed Delay does not guarantee selection for the JAG Corps, it does increase the chances of selection.
The Air Force has three methods of commissioning into the JAG Corps: Direct Commission during your third year of law school or after graduation; One-Year College Program (OYCP) during your second year of law school; and Graduate Law Program (GLP) during your first year of law school. None of these programs offer scholarships, but the Air Force will pay off up to $65,000 of your loans over a four-year active-duty commitment.
The Navy currently does not have a way for Navy midshipmen to attend law school directly after commissioning.
To apply for entry to the JAG Corps, Educational Delay Program students submit an application during the second semester of their third year of law school. Selection factors include academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, community service, military record, and interview recommendation.
Once accepted into the JAG Corps, JAG officers report to one of the Army's worldwide law offices and immediately begin practicing law. JAG Corps is a government law organization that defends the Army and its soldiers in all military legal matters. It is one of the country's largest law firms, providing important legal advice to senior Army officials.
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Active duty with educational delay
To apply for the JAG Corps, Educational Delay Program students submit an application during the second semester of their third year of law school. Selection factors include academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, community service, military record, and interview recommendations. Service payback is the same as for active-duty Army candidates.
The Graduate Law Program (GLP) is a two-year Air Force ROTC program that guarantees a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon completion of the program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and fulfilment of legal licensing requirements. Cadets interested in medical school can apply for the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP), which allows students to attend a civilian medical school of their choice and receive an educational delay to finish their active-duty service commitment after graduation.
Overall, Army ROTC is considered the most certain route to becoming a lawyer in the Armed Services, with the possibility of serving as a lawyer in the Army Reserve or National Guard. The Air Force route is slightly more competitive, as applicants must compete for an educational delay and there are fewer positions available in the Air Force JAG Corps each year. However, once accepted for an educational delay, the probability of accession into the Air Force JAG Corps is high.
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Tuition assistance
There are several tuition assistance programs available for those who have served in the military and wish to attend law school. The GI Bill, signed into law by President Roosevelt in 1944, provides veterans with access to low-interest mortgages and tuition grants. The bill was updated in 2008 to cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, and offer transferability to spouses and children. The Yellow Ribbon Program is another option that enables veterans to attend private schools and graduate programs that cost more than the state-tuition cap. Under this program, the VA agrees to match veterans-only scholarships dollar-for-dollar, up to the full cost of tuition.
Additionally, specific law schools may offer tuition assistance programs for military veterans. For example, St. Mary's School of Law offers a reduced tuition rate of $800 per credit hour for active-duty military, retired military, Department of Defense employees, and spouses of these groups. This rate can be applied toward a Master of Jurisprudence degree or a master's-level certificate. Abraham Lincoln University also accepts Military Tuition Assistance (TA) for active-duty soldiers, which may cover up to 100% of tuition fees.
Each military branch has its own application process and requirements for tuition assistance. It is important to visit the respective military service's education portal to determine eligibility and understand the specific steps needed to apply for tuition assistance.
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Law school internships
Another example of a law school internship is the GAO program, which offers real-world experience working with Capitol Hill. Interns provide research, analysis, and lobbying support, including attending House and Senate hearings and government briefings. Internships are also available through the American Bar Association (ABA), which provides numerous opportunities for young lawyers and law students, including internships and clerkships.
It is important to note that some internships may be unpaid, but eligible for public interest fellowship sponsorship. For example, the Legal Services Center's internships are unpaid, but they provide a modest stipend to all summer interns (around $600 in recent years). Additionally, interns can seek funding from their schools or other sources.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the branch of the military you are in and the law school you want to attend. You will need to find a school that allows for a flexible degree timeframe and can accommodate your military duties. Some law schools offer night classes or degree programs for working professionals. You can use tuition assistance while serving in the military, but it only pays $4,500 a year, so you may need additional scholarships or financial aid.
Yes, you can use active duty or veterans' educational benefits during or after your military service to pursue a law degree. You can also apply for scholarships and financial aid specifically for military members, such as the GI Bill or Yellow Ribbon programs.
Yes, you can become a lawyer in the military through programs such as ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) and JAG (Judge Advocate General's Corps). The Army, Air Force, and Navy have different requirements and routes to becoming a lawyer, so be sure to research the specific branch you are interested in.
Becoming a lawyer in the military can provide you with financial assistance for your law degree, as well as the opportunity to gain legal experience and make valuable connections. It can also be a rewarding and challenging career, allowing you to serve your country and work in a field that interests you.
