Which is the best route to become a JAG Officer, going enlisted to ROTC, ROTC to Direct Commission, or enlisted to Officer?

I would recommend law school. Just a thought.

To become a Judge Advocate (27A) one must obtain a law degree. JA's direct commission to 1LT upon entry. It would do him well to reach out to a local JAG Office and inquire about the steps he needs to take. The Guard and Reserves have OSJA's that you can reach out to and regularly hold recruiting events at law schools in an attempt to attract new attorney's. As for AD, I'm unsure of how they conduct their recruiting efforts for new JA's but I'm sure a Recruiter can point him in the right direction.

If he is inclined to enlist before becoming a JA, he might want to consider enlisting as a Paralegal Specialist (27D) which will allow him to learn how a JAG office functions at the lowest level prior to commissioning. That said, many JA's I have met also have different backgrounds, for example two Staff Judge Advocate's I knew used to be 11B before earning their law degree's. Another JA I knew was a Ranger, and another used to be an artillery officer. Another used to be in the Navy before becoming a JA in the Army. So if he wants to try something else out in the meantime that's fine too.

Ultimately though he will need that law degree.

https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/Sites/jaro.nsf/homeContent.xsp?open&documentId=13FE58A97B0DB74785257BD3006A87EB
https://armyrotc.ku.edu/judge-advocate-general-jag-corps

ROTC EDUCATIONAL DELAY PROGRAM



The Educational Delay (Ed Delay) program is designed to produce Active Duty Judge Advocates from current ROTC cadets. The program allows senior year cadets (MS IV) to apply for a commissioning delay in order to attend law school.



Cadets granted an Ed Delay are commissioned after graduation and placed in IRR during the duration of law school. Participation in Ed Delay does not guarantee that the cadet will be selected for the JAG Corps, but it does greatly increase the chances of selection.





Watch our ROTC Branch Orientation presentation on Ed Delay and the Funded Legal Education Program HERE!



APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

LSAT score
Law school admission letters (if available)
Official transcript(s) with registrar's seal
One page essay entitled "Why I Want to Be a Judge Advocate"
Letter(s) of recommendation
Accessions Management Sheet
Resume or other documents that enhance the Cadet's application
Updated application requirements and routing information is available in USACC Circular 601-22-1