Established in 1775 by George Washington, the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG Corps) JAG Corps is the oldest law firm in the nation. As a JAG Corps Attorney, you’ll gain firsthand experience in the law — the kind your classmates only dream about.
A Unique Opportunity to Serve Your Country
The JAG Corps is a wide-ranging practice that includes military law and criminal prosecution to international law and legal assistance — both in the U.S. and abroad.
Being a part of the JAG Corps offers the unique opportunity of serving one’s country as an Officer in the Army while quickly developing professional skills. This is exactly why JAG Corps Attorneys gain a valuable career edge and an excellent starting point for a career in public service. In addition, JAG Corps Attorneys can choose to serve either full-time in Active Duty, or part-time in the Army Reserves.
The JAG Corps is much more than the legal arm of the Army. JAG Corps Attorneys are exposed to a wide variety of legal work with wide-reaching impact in just a few short years.
Benefits and Advantages
How do we make a case for joining the Army JAG Corps?
Just take a look at any JAG Corps Attorney. You’ll see an attorney who is serving their country and practicing a wide variety of law. An attorney working in a positive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. All of which begs the question: What civilian law firm can offer that?
- Begin Service as an Officer
- Enter the Army at an advanced pay grade
- Receive a promotion within 6-12 months of being commissioned
- Practice and gain expertise in a wide variety of law
Immediate Experience
One of the major reasons attorneys choose the Army JAG Corps is the opportunity to gain experience quickly. A JAG Corps Attorney is almost immediately given the responsibility it takes their former classmates years to achieve. What’s more, JAG Corps Attorneys are given many continuing legal education opportunities, they receive valuable mentoring from superiors, and they work with talented, dedicated people in service to their country.
Educational Experience
Once you’re accepted into the JAG Corps , you’ll have the chance to expand your legal knowledge and professional growth through many educational opportunities.
A few of these include:
- Continuous Legal Education (CLE)
- Masters of Laws (Military Law)
- Masters of Laws (Specialized)
- Command and General Staff College
A Rewarding Part Time Career
Judge Advocates (JA) have provided professional legal service to the Army for over 230 years. During that time the Corps has grown dramatically to meet the Army’s increased need for legal expertise. Service as a National Guard JA is available to all qualified attorneys. Those selected have the opportunity to practice in areas as diverse as the field of law itself. For example, JAG Corps officers prosecute, defend and judge at courts-martial, negotiate and review government contracts, act as counsel at administrative hearings, and provide legal advice in such specialized areas as international, regulatory, labor, patent and tax law, while effectively maintaining their civilian careers.
Pay and Benefits
Basic pay varies depending on grade, length of service, and degree of participation. Reserve officers are eligible for numerous federal benefits including full-time Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance; limited access to post exchanges, commissaries, theaters and available transient billets; space-available travel on military aircraft within the continental United States, if on Reserve duty; authorized survivor benefits; and generous retirement benefits. When performing active duty or active duty for training, Reserve officers may use military recreation, entertainment and other post facilities and receive limited medical and dental care.
For the latest information on JAG Officer vacancies and benefits, please contact
2LT Melvin Blackwell
melvin.blackwell@us.army.mil
4105 Reedy Creek Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
Work: (919) 664-6000 ext. 46981
Cell: (919) 600-8997
North Carolina State Judge Advocate
Colonel Richard Fay
1-800-621-4136 ext. 6490
