Judge Advocate General's corps announces law school programs

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jared Reeves
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a JAG? Have you ever thought it would be challenging and interesting to learn the law? Are you currently in the Air Force and looking for a career change? If so, you should consider applying for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program. Applications are being accepted from Jan. 1 through March 1, 2012.

"Our Air Force missions are constantly changing, and commanders deserve to have access to legal advisors with a broad background of military experiences," said Maj. T. Shane Heavener, chief of the Accessions Branch, Professional Development Directorate, Office of The Judge Advocate General. "The FLEP and ELP will ensure we can continue to maintain a corps of officers whose military experience complements their legal training providing commanders with the highest caliber of legal support."

According to Major Heavener, Air Force JAGs do more than just provide legal assistance. In addition to prosecuting and defending clients brought before courts-martial, JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission including developing and acquiring weapons systems, ensuring availability of airspace and ranges, consulting with commanders about how those systems are employed in armed conflict, and assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations.

"Every facet of every Air Force mission is bound by elements of the law," Major Heavener said.

The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers. The FLEP is an assignment action. Participants receive full pay, allowances, and tuition. FLEP applicants must have between two and six years active duty service (enlisted or commissioned) and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school. The FLEP is subject to tuition limitations. Positions may be limited due to overall funding availability. The Air Force Institute of Technology establishes the tuition limit. Academic Year 2011 was set at approximately $16,000 per year, but this amount may change year to year.

The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. ELP participants do not receive pay and allowances but remain on active duty for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes. ELP applicants must have between two and 10 years active duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

Both the FLEP and ELP programs require attendance at an American Bar Association accredited law school. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, or a federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates.

To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must complete all application forms, apply (acceptance is not required at the time of application for FLEP/ELP) to at least one ABA-accredited law school, receive their Law School Admissions Test results, and interview with a Staff Judge Advocate by Feb. 15, 2012. Officers must provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field. Selection for both programs is competitive.

The LSAT only tests four times a year, so if interested, begin learning about the entire process as soon as possible.

For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, contact the base legal office at 828-4422, or contact Capt. Laura DeSio, HQ USAF/JAX (laura.desio@pentagon.af.mil or 1-800-JAG-USAF).