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JAG Corps announces law school programs

  • Published
  • By 20th Fighter Wing
  • Judge Advocate
Officers interested in transitioning to the judge advocate career field are able to apply to the Funded Legal Education Program or the Excess Leave Program through Feb. 10, 2015.

FLEP applicants must be O-3 or below the day they begin law school and must have between two and six years of active duty service. ELP applicants must have between two and ten years of active duty service, and be in the pay grade O-3 or below the first day of law school. The time-in-service requirement cannot be waived for FLEP.

Applicants of FLEP and ELP must complete all forms listed on the application website, apply to at least one American Bar Association approved school and receive their law school admissions test results prior to the application close-out date. Additionally, the officer will need to receive a letter of conditional release from their current career field.
Candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates upon their graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, or a federal court.

Officers selected for FLEP will have the opportunity to attend law school and receive full pay, allowances, and tuition from the Air Force. Officers selected for ELP are responsible for their own law school expenses and do not receive full pay, allowances or tuition; however, ELP participants remain eligible for active duty benefits and continue to accrue time towards retirement and promotion.

Graduates of FLEP and ELP will be uniquely able to draw on their military experience while providing legal advice to commanders and other clients. JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission, they enable the maintenance of good order and discipline, advise on the development and acquisition of weapons systems, and consult with operators and commanders on the laws of armed conflict.

Those interested may apply online at www.airforce.com/jag. Those seeking further information about the programs may contact Capt. Matthew DiFelice, 20th Fighter Wing assistant staff judge advocate, or Capt. Megan Mallone, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Professional Development Directorate, Recruiting Branch chief.