Spouse is a JAG. The most common way is to commission, at least for the AF, is by direct appointment (ie already a lawyer). This is the easier route. It’s less common to commission through ROTC done in law school but then you get school paid for. If you go through ROTC then you have to do boot camp with all other ROTC kids (ie no special treatment because you’re in law school).
Early career is a lot of experience in military justice, legal assistance, contracts, etc. It’s the military so you go where assigned and do the job you’re told to do. My spouse had an assignment “wish list” but never got anything on their list. AF JAGs were regularly deployed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but as JAGs, not in direct combat roles. |
Army Judge Advocate here. Absolutely loved my career. Yes you deploy but you are not in a combat role typically. .
All Services recruit at law schools. 1L and 2L internships available - he can apply for those. https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/GoArmyJAG |
PP above and I hit post too soon before I could add that I went to Williams College - so same background. |
How arduous are the physical tests for the various branches in JAG?
I have personally met multiple female CG lawyers who are about 45, and they couldn’t beat me (56) in a foot race. OTOH I have also personally met several younger JAG in USAF and they were ridiculously fit. DS could probably meet the relatively easier physical benchmarks required of doctors and nurses (me) but would flame out if faced with the infantry standards |
When I was in law school, I interviewed for the Navy JAG.
A Lt. Commander interviewed me, and the interview basically went like this: Rank how these three things in order of importance and explain your reasoning, Ethics, Leadership, and Loyalty. I said Ethics, Leadership and then Loyalty. Gave me reasons. He then shook his head, said I was incorrect. It wasn't a rhetorical question, there was an actual correct answer. 1) Loyalty, 2) Leadership, and 3) Ethics. Then went on saying that you have to do things that may be against your beliefs or what you think is moral, but you have to protect the Navy and its sailors. Or something like that. I felt like I blew the interview, then said there were physical requirements, and told me what they were. Then he looks me up and down, and says that he thinks I probably could meet them (I was in OK shape, but wasn't regularly exercising at a gym or anything). He hands me a government form, says to fill it out and he was going to recommend me for the next round. I think it was a total of 15 minutes and the most bizarre interview I had ever been in. I didn't go any further in the process. My friend interviewed with the same officer and she ended up having a standard interview, and also got recommended. |
You don’t go to “boot camp” at all in ROTC or after. You go to Officer Basic Course once commissioned, which is separated into specialty. Medical has their own, so does JAG, infantry, civil affairs, etc |
If he's just in college now, he has plenty of time to get up to speed on the physical requirements. |
Ron DeSantis was a Navy JAG. |
As was Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee. And David French. |
Sorry - French was Army. |
Yes, and I believe assigned to a SEAL unit overseas as a team advisor at some point. JAG is a really good opportunity and a lot of different things you can do. I recommend it. |
I want him on that wall. I need him on that wall. |