Hey, a bit confused here. I've been considering joining the military, but I also have an interest in law. Just curious, do all military branches have their own lawyers? How exactly does that work?
Yes, each branch of the military does indeed have its own legal service corps. These lawyers are typically known as Judge Advocate Generals, commonly referred to as JAGs. These individuals serve in both legal advisory and, occasionally, in judiciary roles within their respective branches.
The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all have their respective JAG Corps. The newly formed Space Force's legal service is currently managed by the Air Force's JAG Corps.
To become a JAG, you would first need to earn your Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. After this, you would enlist in the military and go through Officer Candidate School, then transition to specific JAG training. The specifics of the process vary depending on the branch.
JAGs perform a range of legal tasks from counseling commanders on rules of engagement in combat zones to advising on contract law for base procurement to defending or prosecuting service members in court-martials.
It's a unique blend of military service and law practice, and it can provide a wide range of experiences if you're interested in both. It's advised to talk with recruiters from different branches or to connect with current JAGs to understand which branch might align best with your goals.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.