Judge Advocate General; JAG

Overview

If the traditional civilian career path has left you wanting more, a JAG career will re‑inspire your love of the law. Working as a JAG means you’ll start doing meaningful work from day one—practicing in many legal fields, seeing the world, and becoming the lawyer you’ve always wanted to be.

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must graduate from an ABA‑approved law school and be admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia
• Must be commissioned before the age of 40
• Once selected for the JAG Corps, all applicants must complete and pass an Air Force medical examination before an offer of assignment will be extended

The initial active‑duty commitment is four years, which begins on the day you depart for Officer Training School (OTS).

If you are selected for direct appointment and are prior active duty, National Guard or Reserve, you will be credited by length of service for pay purposes. Prior commissioned service can also advance entry grade and date of rank. All active duty service is credited toward retirement.

Selection boards are held in February, April, August and November. Applications are accepted through our online application processing system. You must submit all application materials online on or before the 10th of the month (i.e., January 10, March 10, July 10, October 10) prior to the board. In addition to your online application, you must schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system.

The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., February 1, April 1, August 1, November 1) of the board.

After the interview, the SJA will prepare a report that is forwarded, along with your application materials, to HQ USAF/JAX. Please do not mail application materials directly to HQ USAF/JAX. If you need to add materials to your application after submission, contact the SJA who conducted your interview to assist you. Additional materials will not be accepted after the first of the month that the board meets.

Recommendation letters should be written by someone who can attest to your work ethic, duty performance, leadership potential, etc. Address all letters to “Selection Board Members.” Do not mail recommendation letters directly to the selection board. Rather, upload them as part of your online application.