What career advice do you have for a Reserve officer who has a JD and wants to go active, but not as a JAG officer?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:10:46 -0400

Question:

I just made the list for CPT.
I’m an infantry officer serving in an engineer Reserve unit.
One deployment, non-combat.
I have a Juris Doctorate, and I am registered for the Texas Bar Exam, Feb. 2020.

Iwant to go Active, but not JAGC—maybe later. I’ll take a rank reduction to stay in combat arms.
The majority of the legal professionals I’ve met are judicial activists and, although more power to them, I’m not interested in applying my legal knowledge the same way. I’d rather work in a high-tempo unit with combat arms soldiers. Thank you in advance. Any ideas?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 2:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:26:05 -0400

1st off Congrats!
2ndly...as a former infantrymen...seeing a JAG officer as Co. CDR in infantry...not welcomed. So just be prepared sir.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 24 at 2019 2:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 14:49:35 -0400

Consider riding in 70 ton tanks. It is very fast paced and aggressive.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 3:37 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 15:37:31 -0400

Drop your ARSOF packet to attend Civil Affairs Assessment and Selection and become a 38A. a JD would be very very helpful for a CA Officer.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 7:39 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:39:45 -0400

CPT Feehan-- I salute you. I've definitely seen folks with JDs serve in other capacities. A JD helps you to think critically and about considerations that others may not have. As you grow more senior this is a skill that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 25 at 2019 12:12 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 00:12:40 -0400

https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Call%20to%20Active%20Duty%20Program

CPT Private RallyPoint Member look at the Call to Active Duty program and enter as an Infantry Officer.

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 AskHRC

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 25 at 2019 12:11 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 12:11:30 -0400

Normally it's the other way around.. A lawyer plays combat Army on weekends. Why don't you go to the VA hospital and talk with disabled 11 class MOS Vets.. and get their opinion. 19D and 11B crippled me. Don't waste your JD. And the SFC below is correct, Infantry do not trust JAG or lawyers, to me they were worse than any enemy.