The path to becoming a Judge Advocate General

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jennie Patschull
  • 17th Training Wing Legal Office
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Judge Advocate Generals have involvement in nearly all facets of the Air Force.  From providing legal assistance to advising commanders, JAGs are entrusted with a high level of responsibility and have the opportunity to have an immediate impact on the mission.

If you are currently a commissioned officer with ambitions of becoming a JAG, the Air Force JAG Corps has two programs that could help you achieve your goals: the Funded Legal Education Program and the Excessive Leave Program. 

The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for commissioned officers.  FLEP applicants must have between two and six years active duty service, enlisted or commissioned, and must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school.  Participation in the FLEP requires a two-year Active Duty Service Commitment for each year, or part thereof, an individual spends in the program.  Participants receive full pay, allowances and tuition while in law school.

The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for commissioned officers.  ELP 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.  Participation in the ELP results in a four year ADSC if the program is completed.  Participants do not receive pay and allowances, but remain on active duty while in law school for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes.

To apply for either the FLEP or the ELP, applicants should plan on taking the Law School Admission Council in the upcoming months.  Once LSAT scores are received, applicants can begin applying for American Bar Association approved law schools and filling out the application forms.  Applicants must complete the online application by Feb. 10, 2015, and must complete an interview with a Staff Judge Advocate before March 1, 2015.  The FLEP and ELP are highly competitive programs, and applicants will be selected based on the whole person concept.  The selection board will convene in March, and applicants will be notified of selection decisions in April and May.

For more information and application materials, visit www.airforce.com/jag, call 1-800-524-8723 or contact Capt. Jennie Patschull at 325-654-3203.