Posted on May 3, 2020
Can anyone describe for me the transition from Enlisted in the Army Reserve to Officer in the Active Duty JAG Corps via Direct Commission?
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Im looking for information about the process, specifically for how it affects current members of the reserve, such as, when do I actually swear in as a LT? When do I change my CAC over? What changes need to be made to the uniform? etc
JAG
Enlisted-to-Officer
Direct Commission
Prior Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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1
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Are you going active duty or reserves for JAG? I went from enlisted reservist to active duty JAG.
for active you swear in during the first week of DCC at Fort Benning and get your DA71.
For reservists and NG, you do it with your unit.
CAC for active duty will be processed during DCC
for active you swear in during the first week of DCC at Fort Benning and get your DA71.
For reservists and NG, you do it with your unit.
CAC for active duty will be processed during DCC
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1LT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see)
1.
My dd368 took a little while so coordinate between Jaro and your COC. It had to go all the way up to a 2-star for me. Start early - as soon as you find out about your class date, I would start.
2. As far as clearance, if you have secret, you should be set.
3. Be proactive in reaching out to Jaro. I believe it's still MAJ MacDonald. Reach out to him and remind him of everything since he is handling a lot of people.
fire away questions, I will do my best to answer. I too had a lot of unanswered questions I had to navigate on my own.
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My dd368 took a little while so coordinate between Jaro and your COC. It had to go all the way up to a 2-star for me. Start early - as soon as you find out about your class date, I would start.
2. As far as clearance, if you have secret, you should be set.
3. Be proactive in reaching out to Jaro. I believe it's still MAJ MacDonald. Reach out to him and remind him of everything since he is handling a lot of people.
fire away questions, I will do my best to answer. I too had a lot of unanswered questions I had to navigate on my own.
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SSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see)
My DD368 is taken care of (at the battalion level at least). My secret clearance should is current so that should be fine. I’m pretty much just waiting now. Is there anything you recommend I do to prepare for DCC or JAOBC? Should I pre-read any material? Anything you wish you would‘ve known going in to it?
My DD368 is taken care of (at the battalion level at least). My secret clearance should is current so that should be fine. I’m pretty much just waiting now. Is there anything you recommend I do to prepare for DCC or JAOBC? Should I pre-read any material? Anything you wish you would‘ve known going in to it?
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1LT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) -
Not really. DCC was actually pretty fun. Having been through Army's basic and all it was nothing that you should worry about or anything. Take the time to network, make new friends. JAG Corps is such a small community that you will basically be connected with everybody. I think that's what makes us really unique and great. As far as pre-reading materials. I asked the same questions and was always told it doesn't make sense to read up on anything. I agree with that statement 100 percent. Similar to all the Army schools, you will be told what you need to know and where to focus on. They have great faculty at the JAG School and I actually enjoyed learning about legal dynamics in the military settings. If you so desire, I would try to focus on the area you will be going in as for your first duty. Do you know where / what your first assignment would be?
Not really. DCC was actually pretty fun. Having been through Army's basic and all it was nothing that you should worry about or anything. Take the time to network, make new friends. JAG Corps is such a small community that you will basically be connected with everybody. I think that's what makes us really unique and great. As far as pre-reading materials. I asked the same questions and was always told it doesn't make sense to read up on anything. I agree with that statement 100 percent. Similar to all the Army schools, you will be told what you need to know and where to focus on. They have great faculty at the JAG School and I actually enjoyed learning about legal dynamics in the military settings. If you so desire, I would try to focus on the area you will be going in as for your first duty. Do you know where / what your first assignment would be?
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SSG (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see)
Not yet. The preference list should be coming out in a couple weeks. I have a few years experience prosecuting on the civilian side so I’m really looking forward to learning some of the operational law stuff.
Also really hoping for a European post.
Not yet. The preference list should be coming out in a couple weeks. I have a few years experience prosecuting on the civilian side so I’m really looking forward to learning some of the operational law stuff.
Also really hoping for a European post.
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Oath of Office set day for transitioning once expiration of term in service (ETS) as enlisted, to comission as officer.
CAC immediately with the DA71 on hand, contract, commitment or anyother document including Active Duty orders.
Uniform questions, AR-670-1
CAC immediately with the DA71 on hand, contract, commitment or anyother document including Active Duty orders.
Uniform questions, AR-670-1
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SSG (Join to see)
Ok awesome. A couple follow up questions: does the process change if I will not ETS? For example, I will be released in the middle of my term by DD368 to join active duty.
Also, a uniform question I can’t really find an answer for in 670-1: as an NCO, I‘ve earned some awards and badges that are exclusively awarded to NCOs and enlisted personnel like the NCO professional development ribbon, the Drill Sergeant Badge, Good conduct Medal... do I have to remove these decorations when I commission?
Also, a uniform question I can’t really find an answer for in 670-1: as an NCO, I‘ve earned some awards and badges that are exclusively awarded to NCOs and enlisted personnel like the NCO professional development ribbon, the Drill Sergeant Badge, Good conduct Medal... do I have to remove these decorations when I commission?
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MAJ Orlando Rivera
you ETS one day, commission the next. Must have all documents lined up on the agreement to be out. You wear all badges, ribbons as to include DSB, GCM, NCOES, etc. In the other hand if you have driver/mechanic badge even that is awarded and not prohibited to be worn by officers, you will be challenge in not to wear it. It happened to me with the last mentioned. Also you wear Unit citations awarded during your time as a member. Must have documents iperm for anything displayed. SSG (Join to see)
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MAJ Byron Oyler
SSG (Join to see) - Congrats on completing law school and being selected for an active duty commission. Have you sat for the Bar? That will play a role in some of the questions you asked. I do not know JAG regs specifically but I could not enter active duty without first having passed the NCLEX. In healthcare, we have a reg that deals with licensure and getting into trouble, 40-68, and I would be surprised if legal did not have one similar. Find it. When you get to your first duty station, please remember you come in with a wealth of knowledge however not everyone wants to hear it. I believe those of us that crossed over to the dark side are much more interested in your experiences than those that did HS to undergrad to grad school. I burnt some bridges when I was a junior officer telling people what I knew as 2LT after being enlisted. I have learned since then to show people and tell them if asked. It is a bit of a transition; when I got to my first duty station I asked at the orderly room about going out in the field with the medics and was reminded I was no longer part of that being an officer in the nurse corps.
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SSG (Join to see)
MAJ Byron Oyler
Yes. Already licensed and ready to go.
Good advice on the prior enlisted experience. I’ll keep that in mind.
Yes. Already licensed and ready to go.
Good advice on the prior enlisted experience. I’ll keep that in mind.
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