JAG
Judge advocate general

Defend your country in the courtroom

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Active Duty Military Entry Program

Wield the most powerful weapon around: the rule of law

A career in the military is filled with opportunities. Pursuing your dreams of practicing law is one of them. If you’re currently active duty in the Air Force or any of the armed forces, there are many ways you can go to law school and get on track to become a JAG. Whether you’re finishing your service commitment or in the middle of it, there is an entry program designed for you.

Even for active duty military, the JAG application process is competitive, rigorous and highly selective. We evaluate each candidate using the “whole person” concept, which means we look at academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work and leadership experience. We also conduct interviews with every candidate to discuss your potential in person.

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    Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP)

    If you are currently serving in active duty but have ambitions to someday become a Judge Advocate, you’ll be excited to learn that every year we select a limited number of active duty officers to attend law school at Air Force expense. The number of candidates chosen varies from year to year based on funding. If you are selected to participate in FLEP, you’ll receive your tuition, fees and a book allowance from the Air Force while continuing to serve on active duty. This means you’ll get full pay, allowances and other benefits while you attend law school.

    Qualifications How to apply

  • Qualifications

    Only active duty officers may apply for FLEP. The selection process is competitive. Academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation are all considered. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.

    Applicant requirements

    • Must be a citizen of the United States serving on extended active duty as an Air Force Officer
    • Must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below
    • Must have served on active duty for at least two, but not more than six years (including enlisted time), at the time their law school would begin
    • Must have graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
    • Selectees begin their legal education in the fall of the year in which they are selected
    • Transfer to the JAG Corps is contingent upon graduation from an ABA-approved law school and admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia.

  • Tuition limitation

    The FLEP tuition limits are set by Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) on an annual basis and vary from year to year based on available funding. If you’re chosen for FLEP, you are not permitted to supplement tuition expenses or fees with any need-based scholarships, private or personal funding sources or the GI Bill. If approved by AFIT and HQ USAF/JAX, you can supplement tuition with an academic-based scholarship.

  • Training

    If selected for FLEP, you will be assigned to the AFIT and will be required to inform AFIT of your academic progress. You are also required to perform summer externships at Air Force legal offices during law school summer vacations.

  • Service commitment

    Participation in FLEP requires a two-year Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) for each year, or part thereof, you spend in the program. This ADSC runs consecutive to any existing service commitment. Any preexisting ADSC will toll during law school and begin again upon completion of the bar exam.

How to apply

A selection board convenes in March each year, subject to availability of funding. You must submit all application materials online on or before February 10. In addition to your online application, you must complete a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before March 1. After the interview, the SJA will prepare a written report that is forwarded to HQ USAF/JAX.

You must upload the following items when applying:

Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. PDFs must be no larger than 3MB.

  • Full-length color photograph (in service dress, 5" x 7" or 8" x 10", jpg)
  • Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager (PDF)
  • Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced, one-inch margins and 11-point Times New Roman font, PDF)
  • Résumé (PDF)
  • Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less, PDF)
  • Law School Application Form, Law School Letters of Acceptance, Academic Scholarship Letters (FLEP Law Schools, PDF)
  • DD Form 214 (if prior military, PDF)
  • Officer SURF, Officer Performance Reports, Training Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports (if applicable, PDF)
  • LSAT percentile (can be the report that was mailed to you—you do not need to activate your LSDAS/LSAC account, PDF)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • Letters of recommendation (up to five, PDFs)

Schedule Your SJA Interview

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here:

Base locations

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.

Begin online application02
Excess Leave Program (ELP)

Another way you can attend law school if you are currently an active duty Air Force Officer is through our Excess Leave Program (ELP). This option allows you to pursue your legal ambitions while on what is known as “excess leave.” However, this type of leave isn’t counted against your leave account and does not have to be repaid.Through this program, you will be responsible for all application expenses, tuition and fees. You also won’t receive pay or allowances. However, you will continue to accrue time for promotion and retirement purposes, and you’ll remain eligible for other active duty benefits such as base exchange, commissary and medical services.

Qualifications How to apply

Qualifications

Only active duty officers may apply for ELP. Academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation are all considered. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.

Applicant requirements

  • Must be a citizen of the United States serving on extended active duty as an Air Force Officer
  • Must be in the pay grade of captain or below (with less than three years time in grade as a captain)
  • Must have served on active duty for at least two, but not more than 10 years (including enlisted time), at the time their law school would begin
  • Must have graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
  • Selectees begin their legal education in the fall of the year in which they are selected
  • Transfer to the JAG Corps is contingent upon graduation from an ABA-approved law school and admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia.

Training

If selected for ELP, you will be assigned to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and will be required to inform AFIT of your academic progress. You are also required to perform summer externships at Air Force legal offices during law school summer vacations.

Service commitment

Participation in the ELP results in a four-year Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) if the program is completed. If the program is not completed, participants will have an ADSC of one month for each month of participation. This ADSC runs consecutive to any existing service commitment. Any preexisting ADSC will toll during law school and begin again upon completion of the bar exam.

How to apply

A selection board convenes in March each year. You must submit all application materials online on or before February 10. In addition to your online application, you must complete a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on March 1. After the interview, the SJA will prepare a written report that is forwarded to HQ USAF/JAX.

You must upload the following items when applying:

Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. PDFs must be no larger than 3MB.

  • Full-length color photograph (in service dress, 5" x 7" or 8" x 10", jpg)
  • Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager (PDF)
  • Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced, one-inch margins and 11-point Times New Roman font, PDF)
  • Résumé (PDF)
  • Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less, PDF)
  • Law School Application Form, Law School Letters of Acceptance, Academic Scholarship Letters (FLEP Law Schools, PDF)
  • DD Form 214 (if prior military, PDF)
  • Officer SURF, Officer Performance Reports, Training Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports (if applicable, PDF)
  • LSAT percentile (can be the report that was mailed to you—you do not need to activate your LSDAS/LSAC account, PDF)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • Letters of recommendation (up to five, PDFs)

Schedule Your SJA Interview

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here:

Base locations

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.

Begin online application03
Intraservice Transfer

If you’re a licensed attorney and are currently serving in the Air Force, you can make a career switch to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. To make the request for an intraservice transfer, you must have at least four years, but no more than 10 years, of total active federal commissioned service.

Qualifications How to apply

Qualifications

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and have been admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. Furthermore, you must have completed all active duty service commitments as of the transfer or appointment effective date. See AFI 51-101 and AFI 36-2106 for further information. The Air Force Personnel Center must concur on all selections.

Selection criteria

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.

Service commitment

The active duty service commitment for an intraservice transfer is four years.

How to apply

Selection boards are held in April, October and December. Applications are accepted through our online application processing system. You must submit all application materials online on or before the 10th of the month (i.e., March 10, September 10 and November 10) prior to the board meeting. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., April 1, October 1, December 1) of the board meeting.

After the interview, the SJA will prepare a report that is forwarded along with your application materials to HQ USAF/JAX. Please do not mail application materials directly to HQ USAF/JAX. If you need to add materials to your application after submission, contact the SJA who conducted your interview to assist you. Additional materials will not be accepted after the first of the month that the board meets.

You must upload the following items when applying:

Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. PDFs must be no larger than 3MB.

  • Full-length color photograph (5" x 7" or 8" x 10", jpg)
  • Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced, one-inch margins and 11-point Times New Roman font, PDF)
  • Résumé (PDF)
  • Official law school transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • LSAT percentile (Can be the report that was mailed to you—you do not need to activate your LSDAS/LSAC account, PDF.)
  • DD Form 214 (if prior military, PDF)—officer performance reports or enlisted performance reports (if applicable, PDF)
  • Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less, PDF)
  • Bar certificate or letter of good standing (if you are an attorney, PDF)
  • Letter(s) of recommendation (optional, up to five, PDFs)

Schedule Your SJA Interview

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here:

Base locations

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.

Begin online application04
Interservice Transfer

If you’re a licensed attorney and are currently serving in active duty in another branch of the Armed Forces, you can still become a part of the JAG program within the Air Force. To request an interservice transfer, you must be an officer in the pay grade of O-3 or below on extended active duty.

Qualifications How to apply

Qualifications

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and have been admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. You also must have served a minimum of two years on active duty at the time of the request. The parent service must concur on all selections.

Selection criteria

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.

Service commitment

The active duty service commitment for an interservice transfer is four years.

How to apply

Selection boards are held in April, October and December. Applications are accepted through our online application processing system. You must submit all application materials online on or before the 10th of the month (i.e., March 10, September 10 and November 10) prior to the board meeting. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., April 1, October 1, December 1) of the board meeting.

After the interview, the SJA will prepare a report that is forwarded along with your application materials to HQ USAF/JAX. Please do not mail application materials directly to HQ USAF/JAX. If you need to add materials to your application after submission, contact the SJA who conducted your interview to assist you. Additional materials will not be accepted after the first of the month that the board meets.

You must upload the following items when applying:

Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. PDFs must be no larger than 3MB.

  • Full-length color photograph (5" x 7" or 8" x 10", jpg)
  • Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced, one-inch margins and 11-point Times New Roman font, PDF)
  • Résumé
  • Official law school transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • LSAT percentile (Can be the report that was mailed to you—you do not need to activate your LSDAS/LSAC account, PDF.)
  • DD Form 214 (if prior military)—officer performance reports or enlisted performance reports (if applicable, PDF)
  • Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less, PDF)
  • Bar certificate or letter of good standing (if you are an attorney, PDF)
  • Letter(s) of recommendation (optional, up to five letters, PDFs)

Schedule Your SJA Interview

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here:

Base locations

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.

Begin online application05
Recall to Active Duty

If you are recalled to active duty, you can return to serve as a Judge Advocate. This is a great option if you’re an active or inactive officer in the Air Force Reserve or Guard who is already a practicing attorney. You’re also eligible to apply through this program if you’re currently enrolled in law school and have completed your second year.

Qualifications How to apply

Qualifications

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and received admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. You will be required to complete an Air Force medical examination. Finally, you must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this program.

Selection criteria

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.

Service commitment

The initial active duty commitment is four years.

Prior military service

If you are selected for this program and are prior active duty, Guard duty or Reserve duty, you will be credited by length of service for pay purposes. Prior commissioned service can also advance entry grade and date of rank. All active duty service is credited toward retirement. Applicants currently serving in the Guard or Reserve must obtain a conditional release from their respective services after selection for the JAG Corps.

How to apply

Selection boards are held in April, October and December. Applications are accepted through our online application processing system. You must submit all application materials online on or before the 10th of the month (i.e., March 10, September 10 and November 10) prior to the board meeting. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. You will be able to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., April 1, October 1, December 1) of the board meeting. SJA interviews fill up quickly, so you should apply as early as possible.

After the interview, the SJA will prepare a report that is forwarded along with your application materials to HQ USAF/JAX. Please do not mail application materials directly to HQ USAF/JAX. If you need to add materials to your application after submission, contact the SJA who conducted your interview to assist you. Additional materials will not be accepted after the first of the month that the board meets.

You must upload the following items when applying:

  • Full-length color photograph (in service dress, 5" x 7" or 8" x 10", jpg)
  • Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager (PDF)
  • Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced, one-inch margins and 11-point Times New Roman font, PDF)
  • Résumé (PDF)
  • Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less, PDF)
  • Law School Application Form, Law School Letters of Acceptance, Academic Scholarship Letters (FLEP Law Schools, PDF)
  • DD Form 214 (if prior military, PDF)
  • Officer SURF, Officer Performance Reports, Training Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports (if applicable, PDF)
  • LSAT percentile (can be the report that was mailed to you—you do not need to activate your LSDAS/LSAC account, PDF)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts (originals, PDFs)
  • Letters of recommendation (up to five, PDFs)

Schedule Your SJA Interview

To schedule an appointment for a hiring interview, please use the online application processing system to contact the SJA at the AFB near you. Once the request is submitted, the SJA or the SJA’s representative should contact you to schedule an interview. Please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the SJA to receive your application in the system. You can find a map of all AFB locations here:

Base locations

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.

Begin online application
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