Is it possible to transfer as an Army National Guard 1LT(P) from Infantry to JAG? Does anyone know who I should talk to?

2018-06-08T19:50:00-04:00

A bit of a specific question, but is it possible to transfer as an Army National Guard 1LT(P) from Infantry to JAG? Does anyone know who I should talk to? Google has been no help.

Bonus question: Is there a way to convince the Army to pay for it? I've heard it's possible, but I don't know how.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jun 8 at 2018 8:00 PM

2018-06-08T20:00:51-04:00

To go JAG, as far as I know, you have to already have your JD. There is a program called FLEP (Funded Legal Education Program) for active duty, it's very competitive. Definitely talk to a recruiter.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2018 9:49 PM

2018-06-08T21:49:51-04:00

Contact a JAG in your state.
Most likely you will already need to have law school complete before they will change your branch.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 10:21 AM

2018-06-12T10:21:11-04:00

You should be able to pay for law school using GI Bill and tuition assistance. Once you get your law degree and pass the bar you can transfer to JAG corps. Talk to your state JAG, and they can advise you further.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2018 10:38 PM

2018-12-18T22:38:48-05:00

I just graduated from law school last weekend and I transition from command of a NG infantry company next month. For the past 3.5 years, my state JAGs have been trying to get me to switch branches, and I also have a friend who graduated 18 months ago that is going to the next JOBC class. In order to branch transfer, you need to have both completed law school and passed your state bar. Then it's as easy as getting a few O6s to agree to your transfer and you move to the JAG command, they send you back to Benning for the Direct Commission Course (yes, you have to even though you earned your rank the hard way), on to VA for the JAOBC, add in some 42A-paperwork magic, and presto! you are a bona fide NG JAG Officer.

A few suggestions for keeping your stress as low as possible in this time frame: if you do law school and remain in the guard, make every attempt to NOT rotate into command while you are there (FYI, studying for the bar is 100% NOT compatible with command; that is why I asked my BC six months ago to move me back to staff); do not have kids while attending law school and working as a commander. Command, which you should expect in the next couple of years, is a job that, when done correctly, adds about 15-20 hours of time that you don't get paid extra for every week. It is very rewarding when you see your Soldiers succeed, but the time requirements are serious, and the additional stress of it and school contemporaneously is not something to take on lightly.

Also, if you talk to your BDE JAG or someone from your state's JFHQ (assuming that is an organization within your state), you can attend some of their drills to get a feeling for it.

As far as paying for it, as a Guardsman, you're on your own, unless your state has specific assistance or you qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill, Post-9/11 GI Bill, etc. You should be able to get the Chapter 1607 benefit of $500/month, but the VA always told me to screw off because I didn't have a 6-year contract (despite over 6 years of completed service) and I didn't have the energy to fight it. (Technically, the VA is right because you don't have an enlistment contract, but again, no energy on my part.)

Good luck, and I hope this helps (if you still needed the information).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2019 3:45 PM

2019-01-09T15:45:21-05:00

I am prior USAFR transferring to Army National Guard JAG. Graduated law school in June, took bar in July, passed in October - Got my condition release in November and meet the JAG Board next month. It was an experience, most of it is finding a position, JAG slot and getting your ducks in a row. Have you already completed law school? I did law school and the Reserves (flight commander) with a child ...was it fun...not really, did it get the job done...yes. I used GI bill and went to a school that counted all military in state. Let me know if you have any questions.