Navy judge advocates are commissioned military officers first and foremost. We are forged through training and experience to develop into leaders within the world’s finest Fleet. Judge Advocates are warfighters, ready to meet any challenge, and lead in victory when called upon by the nation.

To be a Navy judge advocate means to embody the warfighting spirit. We support the Fleet and enable the Navy mission throughout the world, both ashore and at sea. As a naval officer, you will be expected to lead with character and integrity. Our advice and advocacy emphasize fundamental fairness and respect for the rule of law, and fosters trust in our community, across the Fleet, and with the American people.

Being a naval officer instills certain intangible qualities that will last a lifetime: pride, teamwork, integrity, and a sense of purpose. As Navy judge advocates, we understand these qualities make us better leaders and lawyers, both now and in the future.

We strive to continuously learn, assess, and share knowledge – to deepen our expertise and provide the highest quality legal services. We must be agile in today’s complex and dynamic operating environment – rapidly leveraging ideas that deliver sustainable improvements across the enterprise.

Navy judge advocates become experts in the fields of military law. But what is military law? This practice area is unique to the armed services, as it incorporates many areas that both overlap and inform each other:

• Military Justice (Prosecution, defense, victims’ legal counsel, judiciary, and appellate)
• Legal Assistance (Personal legal services and advice to military members)
• Administrative Law (Government ethics, regulations, and legislation)
• Admiralty and Maritime Law (Admiralty tort and salvage claims, and international and domestic maritime issues)
• Civil Litigation (Cases incident to the operation of the Navy, in conjunction with the Department of Justice)
• Environmental Law (Laws protecting human health, the environment, and historic and cultural resources)
• National Security Law (International agreements and foreign criminal jurisdiction, rules of engagement, law of the sea, law of armed conflict, cyber and intelligence law)

Where you are stationed depends on a combination of your requested locations and practice areas along with the needs of the Navy at the time you graduate from Naval Justice School. The detailers will begin working with you a few months out from when you begin Officer Candidate School (OCS) to request where you would like to be stationed and you will maintain a close dialogue with them as you begin the training pipeline.

Navy Judge advocates serve in exciting assignments around the world. Major fleet concentration areas include: Naples, Italy; Yokosuka, Japan; San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virginia; Bremerton, Washington; Jacksonville, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; Mayport, Florida; Groton, Connecticut; Washington, DC; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Overseas job opportunities are available in Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Sicily and Rome, Italy; Souda Bay, Greece; Stuttgart and Garmisch, Germany; Diego Garcia; Guam; Sasebo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Bahrain; Singapore; and others.

Most new Navy judge advocates are assigned within the continental United States.

Orders to duty stations within the United States are for an average of three years. After at least 24 months at a particular location, officers may pursue or be offered subsequent assignments consistent with their career needs and those of the Navy. Geographic mobility and practice diversity are key aspects of a Navy judge advocate’s career. Those who welcome the opportunity to see different parts of our nation and the world, who seek out adventure and new experiences, and who are flexible and adaptable will find the Navy lifestyle a great fit.

Judge advocates who earn their commission incur a total military service obligation of eight (8) years. Upon commissioning, you begin a four-year active duty (AD) obligation. At the end of four (4) years, a judge advocate will either continue active duty service or request transfer to the reserve component to complete the remaining service obligation.

Applicants are encouraged to download and review the Navy JAG Corp Application Guide, which provides detailed information and guidance on the application, the platform and the required materials. Baseline questions regarding the application are also found below.

We currently have multiple selection boards per year for the Student Program – generally between two and three a year (Fall: August – October; Spring: January – February; and Summer: April – May). Please refer to the Direct Appointment Program page for current deadlines, posted and updated often. Applicants should pay close attention to the dates posted, as untimely or incomplete applications may be deemed ineligible for review.

Yes. However, the Navy JAG Corp program authorization sets the 42-years age limit to ensure all judge advocates will be able to complete 20 years of commissioned service by the age of 62. As a result, any applicant who will be over the age of 42 at the time of signing his or her service agreement will require a waiver from the Judge Advocate General of the Navy.

No, you are only eligible to apply for the Direct Appointment Program if you have graduated from law school and have had an opportunity to take the first available bar exam. If you have graduated law school, but not yet taken the first available bar exam, you may be eligible for the Student Program.

No, unofficial transcripts are sufficient for your application.

Please include a note in the “Additional Comments” section of your application stating that your law school did not provide student rankings.

Your application must include transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions that you received a degree from, or where you are currently enrolled. However, to provide context or a better understanding of your GPA or academic background, other transcripts may be submitted (e.g., transfer transcripts or academic program transcripts).

No.  Applicants need only provide the entry testing requirements. This may include the LSAT, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or no testing at all with a direct entry program. For LSAT and GRE submissions, provide the official score report from your LSAT or GRE.

If you took the LSAT/GRE more than 5 years ago and a score report is no longer available OR you took the LSAT FLEX and a Score Report is not available, please provide a statement in the additional comments section of the online application and provide any available proof of score.

If no advanced examination was completed due to the direct-to-law program you were accepted into, a program authorization from the school is required.

Applicants must have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or participate in a direct law school admission program. If you no longer have access to these test scores or program authorizations, or if scores are not available due to time or data loss, the applicant should provide unofficial confirmations of the score and note the circumstances in the “Additional Remarks” section of the application.

While Letters of Recommendation (LOR) should be included in the online application, individual recommenders may submit letters separately via email to navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil. Recommenders should be informed that all LORs must be received by the application deadline to ensure the applicant is not deemed ineligible.

Applicants should normally have a letter from your current or most recent employer. If you cannot obtain one, you should explain why in the remarks section of the application. We understand how it may appear awkward or challenging to request a letter from a current employer. However, many employers are patriotic, understand the call to service and support an applicant’s desire to support our country, freedom and way of life.

Applicants should reduce the size of any uploaded file before submitted. If the reduction still does not cure the issue, materials may be sent separately to navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil and a note regarding that separate submission should be found in the “Additional Remarks” section.

Only applications which contain all required materials, including the completion of the Structured Interview, will be deemed eligible for submitting to the Accession Selection Board.

Applicants may submit their current bar license card (which has an expiration date on it); a certificate of good standing from the bar association or court; or an attorney registration acceptance form for those U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court that lack online bar status verifications.

Yes, provisionally-approved ABA law schools meet this requirement. However, as of the date of your graduation or the date of your JAG Corps application, the school must be an ABA approved law school. If it is not, a waiver must be obtained from Judge Advocate General of the Navy. You should ensure you note this in your application under the “Additional Comments” section.

If you do not take the bar exam until after the selection board deadline, then you should apply via the Student Program. If you have taken the bar exam prior to the deadline, you must wait to apply to the Direct Appointment program following you admission to a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court.

You are not eligible to apply to either the Student Program or the Direct Appointment Program. For the Student Program, you must not have had an opportunity to take the bar exam — as a JD graduate currently enrolled in an LLM program, you had the opportunity to take the bar exam. For the Direct Appointment program, you must be admitted to practice law.

Unfortunately, no. All Navy judge advocate applicants must have earned a J.D. from a then-ABA-approved law school determined by the date of graduation, or with approval from JAG, current approval as of the date of application. Current enrollment or graduation from an ABA accredited law school with an LLM does not meet the requirements under our Navy Program Authorization for judge advocates.

Unfortunately, no. All Navy judge advocate applicants must have earned a J.D. from a then-ABA-approved law school determined by the date of graduation, or with approval from JAG, current approval as of the date of application. Participation in alternative State specific law programs, even after becoming a barred attorney, does not comply with the Navy’s Program Authorization for Navy judge advocates.

Eligibility screening requirements are set by general Navy accessions criteria. Some specific medical conditions are not eligible for a medical waiver, and make an applicant ineligible for military service. Some conditions are eligible for a waiver. Unfortunately, the Navy JAG side of the accession process does not control the overall military eligibility and waiver process. An applicant and recruit’s medical status and any waiver required is controlled by the DoD Instruction 6130.03, which can inform how and when your medical issue would need to be addressed by or waived by. If you would like more insight into the medical condition review process, I recommend a connection with a local Navy officer recruiter. An easy-to-use locator can be found here: https://www.navy.com/contact-us/find-a-recruiter.

Medical screenings are not conducted prior to the JAG Corps Accession Selection Board. As a result, you are recommended to still apply unless the condition is not eligible for a medical waiver. Medical screenings are conducted after an applicant receives and accepted a Professional Recommendation.

Further information on how medical conditions may impact your processing can be found in the “medical” link under the “Who is Eligible” section. If you would like more insight into the medical condition review process, I recommend a connection with a local Navy officer recruiter. An easy-to-use locator can be found here: https://www.navy.com/contact-us/find-a-recruiter.

No, active duty officers must apply through the Law Education Program (LEP). Active Duty Officers are not eligible for the Student Program or the Direct Appointment Program.

The senior detailer will determine whether you need to attend Officer Candidate Training or other Officer Indoctrination Training. The factors he/she will consider include the following: how long you have been in the reserves, when and if you served on active duty, and how long ago you served on active duty.

The senior detailer will determine whether you need to attend Officer Candidate Training or other Officer Indoctrination Training. The factors he/she will consider include the following: how long you have been in the reserves, when and if you served on active duty, and how long ago you served on active duty. Officer training focuses on fundamentals of leadership, military knowledge of the Navy and the Foundry required create, maintain and sustain warfighters and warfighting within our Fleet. As a result, officer training may be required.

An automated message should be sent to your submitted email address following submission of the application. If you have not received one within (3) business days after the application deadline, please confirm receipt at navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil

Yes, the application is considered “final” at 2359 (11:59PM) on the day of the deadline. Applicants are free to modify the application until that time.

Results are usually available ten (10) weeks after the application deadline. Your status on the application page will be updated to either “Professionally Recommended” or “Not Professionally Recommended” to indicate your selection. The Navy JAG Corps Facebook and career page pages will also be updated when results are available. If you are professionally recommended, you will be contacted directly via phone and email.

No, not yet. The Accession Selection Process is a time intensive event, which facilitates in-depth reviews of every applicant who applies. As a result, time for completing and approving the selectees changes from cycle to cycle. If an applicant has not received any communication after two full months of waiting, please contact navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil to check the status.

The discussions at Accession Selection Boards are not allowed to be shared outside of the board proceedings, so specific information pertaining to individuals is not available. Although we have offered a general record review in the past, our resources are such that we cannot continue to offer this service except in unusual circumstances. However, some general factors to keep in mind as part of the selection process:

• We receive hundreds of highly competitive applications each board and have only a limited number of selection quotas available to offer Professional Recommendations. The selection rate for the Direct Appointment Program continues to hover around 5-20% for the past five (5) years, and even less for our other commissioning programs.
• Our board uses a whole-person standard, which takes into account academic performance, demonstrated leadership and teamwork, physical fitness, commitment to public service, the likelihood of success as a judge advocate, and structured interview feedback.
• If you have the opportunity, we always highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to observe and work closely with Navy judge advocates through the internship/externship program. This provides candidates with a better understanding of the nature of our mission, practice, and Navy Core Values.

The decision is yours, but there is no downside to reapplying. Your application will receive a fresh look at each selection board that you are eligible for.

Every applicant is different. Regardless of how many times you have applied, each cycle reviews your application with fresh eyes.

However, some general factors to keep in mind as part of our selection process:

• Our board uses a whole person standard, which takes into account academic performance, demonstrated leadership and teamwork, physical fitness, commitment to public service, likelihood of success as a judge advocate, and structured interview feedback.
• Navy judge advocates are more than just lawyers. We are commissioned naval officers, warfighters, and leaders in the Fleet. Qualities of excellent naval officers can be inferred and understood through those activities you engage in outside of work or school.
• Effective motivational statements are those that make a connection with the board members using genuine facts, honest beliefs and important parts of who are you. It provides the critical link for the board to understand your interest in the Navy JAG Corps, rather than any other job, service or calling.
• You may want to consider diversifying your letters of recommendation. Strong and effective letters of recommendation are diverse in viewpoint about the applicant, contain detailed accounts or incidents which support their recommendation, avoid generalized language, and hone in on qualities that translate well to becoming a naval officer.
• If you have the opportunity, we always highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to observe and work closely with Navy judge advocates through the internship/externship program. This provides candidates with a better understanding of the nature of our mission, practice and Navy Core Values.

A “professional recommendation” means the Navy JAG Corps has pre-approved you for acceptance into our community. However, this is only the first step. You must now successfully earn a naval officer commission by completing the screening requirements and training pipeline.

You should have received notification by telephone or email by now, including a deadline on when you must provide a response accepting or declining the Professional Recommendation. If you accept, you will begin working with your local recruiter for the screening process.

Upon being assigned a recruiter by Naval Recruiting Command, contact the recruiter as soon as possible either by email or by phone. Once you have made contact with your recruiter, you will begin working towards the second step of the process – becoming an Officer Candidate. You will meet with your recruiter to fill out initial paperwork and will ultimately be scheduled for a full physical exam at your nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). You will also work with your recruiter to complete the documents necessary for a secret security clearance.

At the time you are notified of the selection, the applicant will be provided a deadline to accept. Acceptance will be required in writing (generally, by email). Failure to respond by the deadline will be deemed a declination of the offer.

Training timeline vary from one applicant to another, based on individual screening requirements and accessions documentation. Generally, for Direct Appointment Officer Candidates, training begins after you have completed screening requirements and signed the service agreement. Upon confirmation, orders training can be issued based on availability at Officer Candidate School (OCS). By way of example, if you accepted the Professional Recommendation in December, worked with the Officer Recruiter to complete your medical screenings, physical assessments, and clearance paperwork, with a signed service agreement in January, you could receive orders to attend OCS in February, depending on availability. During this time, you are an Officer Candidate while pending orders to OCS.

Applicants must accept the Professional Recommendation in writing, and must submit the acceptance by the deadline set at the time of the notification. An email response is sufficient to accept the Professional Recommendation.

Once your screening materials and requirements are completed, you will be authorized to sign the service agreement and become an Officer Candidate. This is an active-duty status in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) in the paygrade of E-6. As an Officer Candidate, your duties are to complete all remaining accessions requirements, maintain your physical fitness and readiness, and prepare for orders to attend Officer Candidate School. Additional military requirements, including communication requirements with your assigned Navy command (Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG)), urinalysis testing, and physical readiness are also required.

Only after you have successfully completed Officer Candidate School (OCS), will you have earned the commission to be an active-duty naval officer. Upon graduation, you will be considered “commissioned”. When you commission varies significantly from person to person.

Once a local recruiter is assigned to you, you will work with your local recruiter to begin the screening process. It is essential you get in touch with your recruiter as soon as possible after receiving your assignment in order to begin the process. The major components of that process include passing a medical examination, physical fitness assessments and completing all requirements for a secret security clearance.

A prior medical condition may delay or potentially halt your screening process, or make you ineligible to become an Officer Candidate. Further information on how medical conditions may impact your processing can be found in the “medical” link under the “Who is Eligible” section.

No. Judge advocates may be admitted to practice law in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court. For example, an Officer Candidate may have gone to law school in Billings, Montana, but elected to take the bar exam in their home state of Missouri, with their first duty station being in Jacksonville, Florida.

No. If your individual U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court has a bar licensure program that does not require the taking and passing of a bar exam, an Officer Candidate is not required to take a bar exam. However, an Officer Candidate must provide the program authorization for bar admission, and proof of good standing for the bar admission, meeting all requirements.

Following successful completion of all medical screening and background checks, PRORECs are authorized to sign a service contract, and are enlisted as Officer Candidates. Officer Candidates are enlisted into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and placed into an active duty status at the paygrade of E-6.

Upon signing the service agreement, Officer Candidates are active-duty service members in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) in the paygrade of E-6. At that time, you will be receiving pay and benefits.

Yes. Officer Candidates are assigned to the local Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) closest your current location while you await your orders for OCS.

No. Officer Candidates are not authorized to wear a military uniform until they report to Officer Candidate School.

No. Officer Candidates are not required to comply with military grooming regulations, including hair style and color, facial hair, cosmetic makeup, or clothing, except for military ID card pictures.

Yes. You must be able to meet the Navy's physical readiness standards established in OPNAVINST 6110.1-Physical Readiness Program. This includes passing a body composition assessment and a physical readiness test before you may attend Officer Candidate School. Candidates must maintain eligibility for sea duty, expeditionary environments, and worldwide assignments.

Officer Candidates must maintain physical fitness standards, which are established in OPNAVINST 6110.1-Physical Readiness Program, and includes passing the semi-annual Physical Readiness Test (PRT) and Body Composition Assessment (BCA) standards established in OPNAVINST 6110.1-Physical Readiness Program. These assessments are administered by the local NTAG. Preparation, counseling and encouragement to maintain these standards will be provided to you.

Officer Candidates on active duty are subject to all standard military regulations and requirements regarding conduct, military accessions eligibility, and continuation of service. Some general military obligations and requirements are not applicable to Officer Candidates while pending orders to OCS, which are fully explained at the time you sign the service contract and accessions paperwork.

Yes. Officer Candidates are subject to the UCMJ, the legal code that governs the conduct of all active-duty service members.

When an Officer Candidate signs the service agreement, the local NTAG command will provide a brief with key information on the UCMJ, resources to learn more, and source materials to review both statutory and military regulations.

Yes. Officer Candidates are included in the random urinalysis drug testing program. The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use. Recreational drug use of any kind (to include THC, CBD, Kratom, etc.) is not permitted, even where legal in the state, territory, commonwealth, or district where the Officer Candidate resides. Any prescriptions, whether for controlled substances or not, must be current and reflected in your medical record.

Yes. Officer Candidates are included in the random urinalysis drug testing program. The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use. Recreational drug use of any kind (to include THC, CBD, Kratom, etc.) is not permitted, even where legal in the state, territory or district where the Officer Candidate resides. Any prescriptions, whether for controlled substances or not, must be current and reflected in your medical record.

Officer Candidates must maintain physical fitness standards, which includes passing the semi-annual Physical Readiness Test (PRT) and Body Composition Assessment (BCA). These assessments are administered by the local NTAG. Preparation, counseling and encouragement to maintain these standards will be provided to you.

While you are an Officer Candidate on active duty, you are entitled to full pay and allowances for the E-6 paygrade, with the exception of a clothing maintenance allowance. Upon referring a lead which results in an accession to either the JAGC, the Medical Corps, or other high-priority accessions as promulgated by Navy Recruiting Command, you will be advance one paygrade not to exceed E-7, and thus increase pay and allowances. If currently enlisted, you will retain your current paygrade unless below the paygrade E-6, in which case you will be automatically advanced to the paygrade E-6.

Active duty service members receive compensation through standard pay, housing and food allowances, and access to entitled services, resources, and benefits. Pay, entitlements, and allowances are based on the compensation type and whether they are subject to taxation.

Generally, an Officer Candidate’s “paycheck” is comprised of:

• Basic Pay: This is your fundamental salary, determined by your paygrade (E-6) and time in service.
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): This is a non-taxable allowance to offset the cost of your meals.
• Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): This is a non-taxable allowance to offset housing costs. The amount varies depending on your location.

As an Officer Candidate, you'll have access to a range of benefits, including:

• Medical and Dental Insurance: Provides comprehensive health care coverage for you and your family members (dependent spouse and children).
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k).
• Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): Low-cost group life insurance.
• Commissary and Exchange Privileges: Access to on-base grocery and retail stores with discounted prices.
• Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA): A Federal law that protects service members who are required to make life changes due to military service, including protection on certain rental lease terminations, cell phone contracts, and legal default judgement protections.

Direct Appointment applicants are not eligible to apply until they have been admitted to practice law in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court.

Once eligible to start loan repayment (generally after completing the course of education), the Officer Candidate may qualify as employment in a public service job, and thus be eligible for a qualifying payment. More detailed information regarding PSLF can be found at their website: Federal Student Aid.

The training pipeline consists of two main phases, both located in Newport, RI:

1. Officer Candidate School (OCS): This rigorous 13-week program equips candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership at sea and ashore, aligning with the Navy's mission to promote national security and sustain combat readiness. To learn more about OCS, visit: Officer Candidate School.
   
2. Basic Lawyer Course (BLC): Upon successful completion of OCS, you will attend the next available BLC at the Naval Justice School (NJS) to learn the fundamentals of military law and legal practice before your first assignment.

Depending on scheduling and graduation periods, individuals may report to their military command while waiting to attend the next available BLC.

No. Officer Candidates are entitled to travel expenses to Newport and then to their ultimate duty station. As the candidate’s training is 24/7, they will live with other candidates in a training facility, and since the total length of training is relatively short, the government does not provide dependents travel to Newport. However, the government will provide their travel to the candidate’s ultimate duty station.

The movement of the candidate’s household goods are funded and coordinated by the Department of War, via commercial contractors. The contractors will pack your home and ship your belongings to the ultimate duty station. At the duty station, the movers will unload and unpack the candidate’s things at their elected residence. This process is referred to as a Household Goods (HHG) move, in support of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order.

However, please note that only the officer is entitled to travel expenses to Newport, RI, for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Naval Justice School (NJS) training, and household goods are not moved to Newport, RI. This is because of the short amount of time the officer will remain in this location before moving permanently to their first duty station.

No. Orders to Officer Candidate School and Naval Justice School are unaccompanied orders. While family members may visit or elect to relocate near the service member, PCS orders and HHG are not otherwise authorized.

Family members remain at their current location until your PCS orders are issued and HHGs are authorized.

No. Service members may elect a geographical bachelor status (GEOBACH) during a PCS move. Moreover, to help support your family - flexibility in timing for moves is available to enable completion of school years, spousal employment and property sales, with families eligible to move +/- 90 days from the service member.

Generally, no. 

Pets are not authorized at OCS.

However, depending on lodging, pets may be authorized during the Basic Lawyer Course (BLC) at Naval Justice School (NJS). During the BLC at NJS candidates can anticipate lodging accommodations onboard Naval Station Newport at a Navy Gateway Inn and Suites (NGIS). Pets are not authorized at the NGIS. The Navy Lodge at Naval Station Newport may authorize certain pets. This is based on Navy Lodge availability and should not be considered a certainty for planning purposes. 

Candidates that have a pet, should plan to make alternate arrangements for their care while at OCS and BLC.

Yes. While pending Officer Candidate School, Officer Candidates will work with the new accessions detailer to identify preferences for locations. Detailing locations are based on the needs of the Navy at the time of the move, and are subject to change based on mission needs and operations.

Officer Candidates who fail to complete Officer Candidate School may be discharged or made available for enlisted recruit training to complete the obligated military service, as directed by Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. (CNRC). Additional information regarding this contingency is provided in the officer candidate service agreement.

Student program applicants with no prior military service are typically credited with three years of Entry Grade Credit (EGC). Upon graduating from Officer Candidate School, you will be appointed as a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG, O-2).

If you have prior commissioned service, your EGC will be calculated based on that service. Applicants with four or more years of EGC will be appointed as a Lieutenant (LT, O-3).

A LTJG is usually eligible to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (LT, O-3) one year after their commissioning as a LTJG.