
JAG ENTRY PROGRAM:
ACTIVE DUTY
FUNDED LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (FLEP)
If you are currently serving in active duty but have ambitions to someday become a Judge Advocate, you’ll be excited to learn that every year we select a limited number of active duty officers to attend law school at Air Force expense. The number of candidates chosen varies from year to year based on funding. If you are selected to participate in FLEP, you’ll receive your tuition, fees and a book allowance from the Air Force while continuing to serve on active duty. This means you’ll get full pay, allowances and other benefits while you attend law school.
QUALIFICATIONS
Active duty officers and enlisted members may apply for FLEP. The selection process is competitive. Academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation are all considered. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.
Applicant requirements
- Must be a citizen of the United States serving on extended active duty as an Air Force officer or enlisted member
- Officer applicants must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below
- Must have served on active duty for at least two, but not more than six years (including enlisted time), at the time their law school would begin
- Must have graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
- Enlisted selectees attend Officer Training School (OTS) and commission as second lieutenants during the summer before law school begins
- Selectees begin their legal education in the fall of the year in which they are selected
- Transfer to the JAG Corps is contingent upon graduation from an ABA-approved law school and admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia.
TUITION LIMITATION
TRAINING
SERVICE COMMITMENT
HOW TO APPLY
A selection board convenes in February each year, subject to availability of funding. The application window generally opens on 1 November of the preceding year, and you must submit all application materials via the online application no later than January 10. In addition to your online application, you must complete a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before February 1. After the interview, the SJA will prepare a written report that is forwarded to HQ USAF/JAX
Typically, the following documentation is required when applying:
Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. All other documents must be in pdf format and no larger than 3MB.
- Full-length color photograph in service dress (5" x 7" or 8" x 10")
- Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager
- Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced)
- Résumé
- Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less)
- List of Applications to Law Schools
- DD Form 214 (if prior military)
- Officer Performance Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports
- Officer/Enlisted SURF and Training Reports
- LSAT percentile (LSAT Report Score Sheet)
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Letters of recommendation (optional, up to 5)
- FLEP Agreement
- AF ROTC Field Training Report (if applicable)
Schedule Your SJA Interview
Recommendation Letters
EXCESS LEAVE PROGRAM (ELP)
Another way you can attend law school if you are currently an active duty Air Force Officer is through our Excess Leave Program (ELP). This option allows you to pursue your legal ambitions while on what is known as “excess leave.” However, this type of leave isn’t counted against your leave account and does not have to be repaid. Through this program, you will be responsible for all application expenses, tuition, and fees. You also won’t receive pay or allowances. However, you will continue to accrue time for promotion and retirement purposes, and you’ll remain eligible for other active duty benefits such as base exchange, commissary, and medical services.
QUALIFICATIONS
Only active duty officers may apply for ELP. Academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation are all considered. The Judge Advocate General selects the best-qualified applicants based upon the recommendations of a board of senior Judge Advocates. Applicants are notified of the results by letter.
Applicant requirements
- Must be a citizen of the United States serving on extended active duty as an Air Force Officer
- Must be in the pay grade of captain or below (with less than three years time in grade as a captain)
- Must have served on active duty for at least two, but not more than 10 years (including enlisted time), at the time their law school would begin
- Must have graduated from college with a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
- Selectees begin their legal education in the fall of the year in which they are selected
- Transfer to the JAG Corps is contingent upon graduation from an ABA-approved law school and admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia.
TRAINING
SERVICE COMMITMENT
HOW TO APPLY
A selection board convenes in February each year, subject to availability of funding. The application window generally opens on 1 November of the preceding year, and you must submit all application materials via the online application no later than January 10. In addition to your online application, you must complete a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before February 1. After the interview, the SJA will prepare a written report that is forwarded to HQ USAF/JAX
Typically, the following documentation is required when applying.
Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. All other documents must be in pdf format and no larger than 3MB.
- Full-length color photograph in service dress (5" x 7" or 8" x 10")
- Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager
- Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced)
- Résumé
- Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less)
- List of Applications to Law Schools
- DD Form 214 (if prior military)
- Officer Performance Reports
- Officer SURF and Training Reports
- LSAT percentile (LSAT Report Score Sheet)
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Letters of recommendation (optional, up to 5)
- ELP AgreementLetters of recommendation (up to five, PDFs)
- AF ROTC Field Training Report (if applicable)
Schedule Your SJA Interview
Recommendation Letters
INTRASERVICE TRANSFER
If you’re a licensed attorney and are currently serving in the Air Force, you can make a career switch to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. To make the request for an intraservice transfer, you must have at least four years, but no more than 10 years, of total active federal commissioned service.
QUALIFICATIONS
SELECTION CRITERIA
SERVICE COMMITMENT
HOW TO APPLY
Selection boards are held in February, April, September 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, August 10 and October 10) prior to the board. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., February 1, April 1, September 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.
Typically, the following documentation is required when applying:
Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. All other documents must be in pdf format and no larger than 3MB.
- Full-length color photograph in service dress (5" x 7" or 8" x 10")
- Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager
- Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced)
- Résumé
- Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less)
- DD Form 214 (if prior military)
- Officer Performance Reports
- Officer SURF and Training Reports
- LSAT percentile (LSAT Report Score Sheet)
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Law school transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Letters of recommendation (optional, up to 5)
- AF ROTC Field Training Report (if applicable)
- Bar Certificate or Letter of Good Standing
Schedule Your SJA Interview
Recommendation Letters
INTERSERVICE TRANSFER
If you’re a licensed attorney and are currently serving in active duty in another branch of the Armed Forces, you can still become a part of the JAG program within the Air Force. To request an interservice transfer, you must be an officer in the pay grade of O-3 or below on extended active duty.
QUALIFICATIONS
SELECTION CRITERIA
SERVICE COMMITMENT
HOW TO APPLY
Selection boards are held in February, April, September 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, August 10 and October 10) prior to the board. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., February 1, April 1, September 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
Typically, the following documentation is required when applying:
Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. All other documents must be in pdf format and no larger than 3MB.
- Full-length color photograph in service dress (5" x 7" or 8" x 10")
- Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager
- Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced)
- Résumé
- Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less)
- DD Form 214 (if prior military)
- Officer Performance Reports
- Officer SURF and Training Reports
- LSAT percentile (LSAT Report Score Sheet)
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Law school transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Letters of recommendation (optional, up to 5)
- AF ROTC Field Training Report (if applicable)
- Bar Certificate or Letter of Good Standing
- Any documents required by parent service and those prescribed in AFI 36-2005
Schedule Your SJA Interview
Recommendation Letters
RECALL TO ACTIVE DUTY
If you are recalled to active duty, you can return to serve as a Judge Advocate. This is a great option if you’re an active or inactive officer in the Air Force Reserve or Guard who is already a practicing attorney. You’re also eligible to apply through this program if you’re currently enrolled in law school and have completed your second year.
QUALIFICATIONS
SELECTION CRITERIA
SERVICE COMMITMENT
PRIOR MILITARY SERVICE
HOW TO APPLY
Selection boards are held in February, April, September 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, August 10 and October 10) prior to the board. In addition to your online application, you must also schedule a hiring interview with a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) at any Air Force Base (AFB) through the online application processing system. A SJA will contact you to schedule an interview AFTER you submit your application materials online. The interview must be completed on or before the first of the month (i.e., February 1, April 1, September 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
Typically, the following documentation is required when applying:
Note: Images must be jpg and no larger 1MB. All other documents must be in pdf format and no larger than 3MB.
- Full-length color photograph in service dress (5" x 7" or 8" x 10")
- Release Letter from AFPC Functional Manager
- Motivational statement (limited to one page, double-spaced)
- Résumé
- Writing sample (optional, 10 pages or less)
- DD Form 214 (if prior military)
- Officer Performance Reports
- Officer SURF and Training Reports
- LSAT percentile (LSAT Report Score Sheet)
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Law school transcripts (unofficial is fine)
- Letters of recommendation (optional, up to 5)
- AF ROTC Field Training Report (if applicable)
- Bar Certificate or Letter of Good Standing