JAG ENTRY PROGRAM:
ACTIVE DUTY

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.

If selected for ELP, you will be assigned to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and will be required to inform AFIT of your academic progress. You are also required to perform summer internships at an Air Force or Space Force legal office during each law school summer break.

Participation in the ELP results in a four-year Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) if the program is completed. If the program is not completed, participants will have an ADSC of one month for each month of participation. This ADSC runs consecutive to any existing service commitment. Any preexisting ADSC will toll during law school and begin again upon completion of the bar exam.

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)

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here: BASE LOCATIONS

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. BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and have been admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. Furthermore, you must have completed all active duty service commitments as of the transfer or appointment effective date. See AFI 51-101 and AFI 36-2106 for further information. The Air Force Personnel Center must concur on all selections.

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. 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.

The active duty service commitment for an intraservice transfer is four years.

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

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here: BASE LOCATIONS

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. BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and have been admitted to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. To make the request for an interservice transfer, you must have at least four years, but no more than 10 years, of total active federal commissioned service. The parent service must concur on all selections.

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. 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.

The active duty service commitment for an interservice transfer is four years.

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

Use the online application processing system to choose the AFB where you would like to interview. Once you submit your online application, the SJA or SJA representative will contact you to schedule an interview before the board date. You can find a map of all AFB locations here: BASE LOCATIONS

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. BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION

You must have graduated from an ABA-approved law school and received admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state, commonwealth, territory or the District of Columbia. You may apply during your final year of law school as well, but selection will be contingent upon graduation and completion of legal licensing. You will be required to complete an Air Force medical examination. Finally, you must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this program.

You will be evaluated on several factors, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record, work experience and the SJA recommendation. 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.

The initial active duty commitment is four years.

If you are selected for this program and are prior active duty, Guard duty or Reserve duty, 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. Applicants currently serving in the Guard or Reserve must obtain a conditional release from their respective services after selection for the JAG Corps.

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

 

To schedule an appointment for a hiring interview, please use the online application processing system to contact the SJA at the AFB near you. Once the request is submitted, the SJA or the SJA’s representative should contact you to schedule an interview. Please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the SJA to receive your application in the system. You can find a map of all AFB locations here: BASE LOCATIONS

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. BEGIN ONLINE APPLICATION