What are two interested things about the Navy JAG Corps that the average person doesn’t know?
While many people colloquially refer to attorneys in the military as ‘JAGs’, there is actually only one Judge Advocate General in each branch of the military. TheJAG is the chief legal advisor to that branch, and has a corps of uniformed attorneys working for him/her. The attorneys who make up the JAG Corpsare commissioned officers who serve all around the world.
Officers in the JAG Corps don’t usually follow the same career path as CDR Harmon Rabb (the lead character of the TV series JAG, who flew F-14s in the Navy until he was grounded after suffering a crippling attack of NIGHT BLINDNESS!!) The vast majority of JAG Corps officers enter the Navy directly from law school with no prior military experience in a process that is actually pretty similar to applying for a civilian job. After submitting an application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and going through a structured interview with two JAG Corps officers, the Navy decides whether to offer the applicant a professional recommendation. If an applicant receives a professional recommendation, they then undergo medical and security screening before receiving their commission.
How does your internship sponsor or agency contribute to the mission of national security?
The JAG Corps provides mission critical services to the US Navy. The clearest examples of this are the JAG Corps officers who serve on carrier groups and with Marine expeditionary units at sea. These JAG Corps officers provide operational legal advice to their CO on a daily basis, helping the US Government to uphold its commitments to international law. Legal assistance attorneys in the JAG Corps help sailors resolve legal issues related to wills and estate planning, family law, consumer debt, and civil law suits. JAG Corps officers prosecuting courts martial support good order and discipline in the Navy and officers defending courts martial ensure that sailors receive due process and that the Government doesn’t abuse its power. Some specialized JAGs work on researching cutting edge issues in national security law and a small group of JAGs from each branch travel around the world to train other countries’ military lawyers in topics such as international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict.
How will this experience help you in your job search and career?
This internship has given me a great opportunity to see what being a JAG Corps officer in the Navy is like. Not having any prior military experience, this was also an amazing opportunity to work alongside Navy sailors and officers and to get a sense for what makes the Navy such an essential part of our national security. This was also a great opportunity to me to gain legal experience in a wide range of areas and to make connections with lots of talented officers and attorneys.