Navy JAG Corps Continues to Build a Diverse and Highly Qualified Team

May 8th, 2015

globe_sealThe following message was released by Judge Advocate General of the Navy Vice Adm. Nanette M. DeRenzi and Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy Rear Adm. James W. Crawford, III Recruiting the right team is the foundation of a successful future for our Corps. Building a JAG Corps that is rich in integrity, quality, and diversity is only possible through sustained involvement with law students and leaders in the legal community. The Spring 2015 Accession Selection Board professionally recommended 45 Recruiting the right team is the foundation of a successful future for our Corps. Building a JAG Corps that is rich in integrity, quality, and diversity is only possible through sustained involvement with law students and leaders in the legal community. The Spring 2015 Accession Selection Board professionally recommended 45 Student Program and 17 and 17 Direct Appointment candidates from a pool of 351 impressive applicants, for a selection rate of just under 18%. The board used the "whole person" concept to select a diverse team of highly qualified applicants possessing the highest potential for JAG Corps service. Although strong academic credentials were important, board members equally considered an applicant's demonstrated leadership skills, work experience, quality of character and ability to overcome adversity, motivation, cultural expertise, performance in the structured interview, public service, and prior military service. The successful completion of a Navy JAG Corps internship or externship was also given favorable consideration. The new team of accessions will soon add their remarkably diverse backgrounds and interests to your wardrooms. The class includes 24 women and 38 men from various socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, representing 47 different law schools both ranked and unranked. Many have prior military experience, including two current judge advocates from the Marine Corps and Air Force who will join us through the Direct Appointment program. Others have worked as a newspaper reporter, a fireman, and a middle school principal overseas. Several are currently state prosecutors and public defenders, others are joining us from private practice, and many have completed judicial clerkships. Eight have completed internships or externships with the Navy JAG Corps. Our future colleagues are those who continue the high academic and intellectual reputation of the Navy JAG Corps by having participated in moot court and mock trial competitions, as well as having served as editors for law review and other law school journals. They are fluent in a host of languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, and Swahili, and have studied or worked abroad in places like South Korea, Peru, Haiti, England, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, South Africa, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and Iraq. The diversity of skills and backgrounds these impressive candidates bring to the table will strengthen the ability of the JAG Corps to provide superb legal solutions across the full spectrum of missions and operational environments. Recruiting in the JAG Corps is an all-hands effort, and judge advocates continue to do an incredible job of reaching the very best talent. candidates from a pool of 351 impressive applicants, for a selection rate of just under 18%. The board used the "whole person" concept to select a diverse team of highly qualified applicants possessing the highest potential for JAG Corps service. Although strong academic credentials were important, board members equally considered an applicant's demonstrated leadership skills, work experience, quality of character and ability to overcome adversity, motivation, cultural expertise, performance in the structured interview, public service, and prior military service. The successful completion of a Navy JAG Corps internship or externship was also given favorable consideration. The new team of accessions will soon add their remarkably diverse backgrounds and interests to your wardrooms. The class includes 24 women and 38 men from various socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, representing 47 different law schools both ranked and unranked. Many have prior military experience, including two current judge advocates from the Marine Corps and Air Force who will join us through the Direct Appointment program. Others have worked as a newspaper reporter, a fireman, and a middle school principal overseas. Several are currently state prosecutors and public defenders, others are joining us from private practice, and many have completed judicial clerkships. Eight have completed internships or externships with the Navy JAG Corps. Our future colleagues are those who continue the high academic and intellectual reputation of the Navy JAG Corps by having participated in moot court and mock trial competitions, as well as having served as editors for law review and other law school journals. They are fluent in a host of languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, and Swahili, and have studied or worked abroad in places like South Korea, Peru, Haiti, England, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, South Africa, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and Iraq. The diversity of skills and backgrounds these impressive candidates bring to the table will strengthen the ability of the JAG Corps to provide superb legal solutions across the full spectrum of missions and operational environments. Recruiting in the JAG Corps is an all-hands effort, and judge advocates continue to do an incredible job of reaching the very best talent.