Last law school entrance exam in August

  • Published
  • By Capt. Laura DeSio
  • Headquarters, U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate
WASHINGTON --  Applications for the Air Force Judge Advocate General's law school programs are being accepted through March 1, 2011. Selection for the Funded Legal Education Program and the Excess Leave Program is competitive and interested officers are encouraged to apply.

"Our Air Force missions are constantly changing and commanders deserve to have access to legal advisors with a broad background of military experiences," said Maj. T. Shane Heavener, Chief of the Accessions Branch, Professional Development Directorate, Office of The Judge Advocate General. "The FLEP and ELP will ensure that we can continue to maintain a Corps of officers whose military experience complements their legal training and provides commanders with the highest caliber of legal support."

According to Major Heavener, Air Force JAGs do more than just provide legal assistance. In addition to prosecuting and defending clients brought before courts-martial, JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission including developing and acquiring weapons systems. They consult with commanders about how airspace and range systems are tested, operated and employed in armed conflict. They also assist commanders with day-to-day operations of military installations around the world.

"Every facet of our Air Force mission is bound by elements of the law," Major Heavener said.

The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers. Participants receive full pay, allowances and tuition. Applicants must have between two and six years of active duty service (enlisted or commissioned) and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school. The FLEP is subject to tuition limitations. Positions may be limited due to overall funding availability. The Air Force Institute of Technology establishes the tuition limit. Academic Year 2010 was set at $16,000, but this amount may change.

The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. Participants do not receive pay and allowances but remain on active duty for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes. Applicants must have between two and ten years active duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

Applications for both programs for fiscal year 2010 will be until March 1, 2011. Both programs require attendance at an American Bar Association accredited law school. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States or a federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates.

To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must complete the following by Feb. 15, 2011: all FLEP and ELP application forms; apply to at least one ABA accredited law school although acceptance is not required at the time of the FLEP and ELP application; have their Law School Admissions Test results; and complete a Staff Judge Advocate interview. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection board in early March 2011 and selections will be based on a review of the application package using a whole person concept. For more information on the programs, review Air Force Instruction 51-101, Judge Advocate Accession Program, Chapters 2 and 3.

For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, contact the 17th Training Wing legal office at 325-654-3203, email Laura.Desio@pentagon.af.mil, or call 1-800-JAG-USAF.