Can someone answer my son's questions who is interested in a JAG direct commission?

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:28:54 -0400

Does anyone know the specifics of this process? Anyone know what you can do to increase your chances? He is already a law school graduate who has taken the bar. He will get the results next month and is working as a clerk for a judge. I know this isn't the most common route to take into the service and any help is appreciated!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 9:46 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:46:14 -0400

JAG is one of those specialty branches that have great opportunities to come in as direct commission. I do not know all specifics about it, but one of the best sources I know is the USAREC website, he can contact them and acquire more details for a direct commission with JAG.

http://www.usarec.army.mil

United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)

USAREC 24/7 HOTLINE Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention Program Phone: (502) 472-6857

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 20 at 2015 11:52 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:52:46 -0400

Fantastic opportunity to further career and to serve. Take it and run with it!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 3:25 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 03:25:04 -0400

I think having courtroom experience helps, or that is what I heard. From seeing several jags and lawyers at my unit, I don't think there is a "common route". Yeah, the Army answer is to contact the branch manager or recruiter. But JAGs are unique. For someone who graduated law school , he should be able to research how to become a JAG. Just dont expect 99% of the DoD to actually be helpful in that area.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 3:29 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 03:29:05 -0400

There is a U.S. Air Force JAG Recruiting FaceBook page if he is interested in the AF.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 21 at 2015 10:17 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:17:04 -0400

PO2 Jonathan Scharff
Congratulations on your sons graduation, I know you are a proud father.

I commissioned through the Air Force, Commissioned Officers Training (COT) program. COT is a direct commissioning program for medics, JAG's, and Chaplin's. Your son, if interested would need to seek a local Air Force officer recruiter who can assist him with the application process. I do not know the climate in the JAG Corps with regards to right-sizing but if they are interested he will have at minimum an interview from a JAG officer which will help determine fitness within the Air Force.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/OTS/Students/DirectCommissoned.asp

http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/OTS/Students/COT/index.asp

I can tell you when I did my commissioning package and interview I had no thought of not being accepted, however later it was revealed a great number of candidates did not make the cut as the number of billets are limited.

As with anything, he needs to put his best foot forward, submit a very strong package and pay attention to details, nothing new for a lawyer. I wish your son luck!

OTS - Class Dates

Congratulations on your commission and for being selected to attendofficer training. In order to help you prepare for the challenging training days ahead, thoroughly reivew the information provided for you here.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 21 at 2015 11:42 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:42:47 -0400

Their are JAG Officers in each region tasked with recruiting...depending upon service he is interested in. He should be able to get their information on-line.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Sep 22 at 2015 9:43 AM

SSG Richard Reilly — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 09:43:40 -0400

Have him contact a JAG Attorney. Most also pull double duty as FLEP recruiters and go to schools to recruit.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 11:52 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:52:44 -0400

Good morning,

Please have your son email me at [login to see] and I'm happy to answer any questions he might have, if I can, with regard to the Army JAG Admissions process. I have been a JA for a little over 3 years now and am currently a Field Screening Officer (interview applicants for JA positions).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 12:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:29:32 -0400

I am a JAG. Email me at [login to see]

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 3:07 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:07:47 -0400

I'm an Air Force JAG. I direct commissioned out of law school into the Air Force but I interned during law school with the Army JAG Corps and applied and was accepted into both AF and Army programs. It sounds like your son will be following the direct appointment route. All the information necessary can be found here: http://www.airforce.com/jag/ and here: https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/Sites/jaro.nsf/homeContent.xsp?open&documentId=2D551B545751CD3185257B2D0051278C. Moreover, I would be happy to answer any specific questions. You or your son can e-mail me [login to see] .mil.

One last point. For your SA, the application process for DA JAG tracks more closely with the civilian application process than your normal stop in down at the recruitment office path.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 10:40 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 10:40:00 -0400

I graduated in 2006 and began working as a clerk for a judge. After several years I became a federal agent and did not practice law. A few years back I applied for a direct commission on the USAF reserve (IMA). Once I completed the paperwork and medical in processing, I was sworn in and direct commissioned as a 1st LT. It was about 4 months later that I went to my initial training. I just completed commissioned officer training (COT) last week and will have 9 weeks of JAG school next summer.

If your son is wanting to practice law, this will be the best route. The only other option for him to get this type of experience would be with a prosecutor or public defenders office. I would encourage it heavily. I don't know that there is much in the way of loan forgiveness, I didn't get any. But he will make more as a 1st LT then most assistant prosecutors. And will get raises much quicker and higher as well. He will be a Captian within 6 months if he goes active duty. (1 year in the reserves).

Hope that helps. I don't know much more than where I have made it to in the process so far. All the best!

Response by SFC Keith Rumsey made Sep 23 at 2015 3:07 PM

SFC Keith Rumsey — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:07:54 -0400

Contact Army Recruiting in Ft Knox directly

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made May 7 at 2020 10:00 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Thu, 07 May 2020 10:00:35 -0400

Just an update, my son got a direct commission to JAG. He completed JAOBC in Charlottesville VA and has been stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany for the past three years. Hey is a Captain now and is PCSing next month to 1st Special Forces Group at Ft Brag NC. It will be nice to have him in the same time zone. Also my other son in the Army got the FLEP (Funded Legal Education Program) and has finished his first 1L year of law school at UNC Law. So we are now well aware of the process for becoming a JAG lawyer going through multiple paths. If I can help answer any questions or help anyone interested in Army Law just drop me a PM and I will do what I can.