In-Service Procurement Program

The Judge Advocate General’s Corps In-service Procurement Program (IPP) provides a pathway to commission as a JAG Corps officer for active-duty, enlisted Sailors. Some JAG Corps IPP selectees may have the opportunity to train to complete a Juris Doctor (JD). Applicants may apply as either a Direct Commission Applicant or a Funded Legal Education Training Applicant.

Who Is Eligible

To be eligible for appointment in the Navy JAG Corps In-service Procurement Program as a Direct Commission Applicant OR a Funded Legal Education Training Applicant, you must:

  • be a United States citizen;
  • be at least 21 years old and be able to complete 20 years of active-duty commissioned service prior to your 62nd birthday;
  • be an active-duty enlisted sailor or Navy Full-Time Support in paygrade E-5, E-6, or E-7;
  • be of good moral character and have no record of disciplinary action under the UCMJ, Article 15, no court-martial convictions, no civilian felony convictions, and no convictions by any civil court for misdemeanors (except minor ($300 or less fine) traffic violations) within three years preceding 1 October of the fiscal year in which the selection board is held;
  • hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution at the time of the application deadline;
  • meet the physical requirements for commission in the Navy;
  • have taken the LSAT.

Additional Requirements for Direct Commission Applicants

  • Must have served on active duty for not less than 2 years, and not more than 10 years, at the time of commissioning;
  • Graduate of a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA); and
  • Admitted to practice before a Federal Court, the highest court of a State, Territory or Commonwealth or the District of Columbia.

Additional Requirements for Funded Legal Education Training Applicants

  • Must have served on active duty for not less than 4 years, and not more than 8 years, at the time legal training begins (i.e., by the time you PCS to begin law school, you must have at least 4 years and no more than 8 years of active duty); and
  • Must apply to law school.

NOTE: Waiver for the time-in-service requirement is NOT authorized. For more details, please refer to Program Authorization 111A.

How It Works

Selectees will remain on active duty, with pay and benefits, while attending law school and completing the bar examination. Obligated service is two full years for each year or part thereof in the program, in addition to any other obligation, which the individual has incurred.

For further details, please refer to the implementing guidance, Program Authorization 111A. Program Authorization 111A, and the most recent Navy administrative message NAVADMIN 195/22. Per the NAVADMIN, although an applicant can submit additional or amplifying information after the deadline, this information is limited to updated LSAT scores or additional acceptance letters from law schools. No other additional or amplifying information will be accepted after the deadline.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the February 2024 IPP Board is to be announced in a forthcoming NAVADMIN, but is likely to be is 2359 EST on December 15, 2023. LSAT Score Reports and law school acceptance letters may be submitted via separate correspondence after the deadline, but must be received by January 15, 2024. No other additional or amplifying information will be accepted after the deadline.

Applications must be submitted via DoDSAFE to navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil

Application Process

Generally, the application process involves the following steps:

  • Complete a structured interview. This requirement is separate from and in addition to the required command interview. Your interview must be completed before the application deadline, and you are responsible for contacting the appropriate office to schedule your interview. Your application will not be considered without a completed interview.
  • Complete a command interview. This requirement is separate from and in addition to the required structured interview.
  • Submit a completed application by the deadline listed above. LSAT Score Reports may be submitted via separate correspondence after the deadline but must be received prior to the convening of the selection board.
  • NOTE: Funded Legal Training Program Applicants must provide a list of all law schools that they have applied to or plan to apply to upon receiving new LSAT scores. Applicants must apply to at least one law school at which in-state tuition can be obtained, one law school in a Fleet Concentration area (i.e. Norfolk, VA; Jacksonville/Mayport, FL; San Diego, CA; Pearl Harbor, HI; Washington, DC; Bremerton, WA), and one school near the Sailor’s current duty station. Applicants must apply to requisite law schools and submit a final list of all law schools applied to before January 15, 2024.
  • IPP applicants may only attend ABA-approved law schools that maintain an active Education Service Agreement (ESA) with the Naval Post Graduate School (NPS). The list of NPS-approved schools is updated annually. View the latest list of approved schools.

Application Guide: Applicants and commands must download and fully review this application guide before submitting an application. The guide includes all necessary files, instructions, and checklists.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Special Assistant for Accessions at navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil.