Internship & Externship Programs
The Navy JAG Corps offers summer internships and school-year externships to law students wishing to gain valuable legal experience, the opportunity for academic credit, and greater insight into life as a Navy judge advocate. As a Navy JAG Corps intern/extern, you will gain exposure to one or more of core practice areas - military justice (criminal prosecution or defense; appellate work), legal assistance (providing general legal advice to Sailors and their families), and command services (advising military commanders and their staffs).
Eligibility
To be eligible for an internship or externship position with the Navy JAG Corps, you must:
- be a United States citizen of good moral character;
- be younger than 42 years of age at time of application
- taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or GRE;
- be a law student enrolled in an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited school with at least one year completed by the time you
start the internship/externship.
Factors Affecting Eligibility: Foreign nationals are not eligible. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country may apply. Dual citizenship may impact the security screening, which is required prior to starting the internship/externship.
Note 1: There are no physical fitness or medical requirements to do the internship/externship but consider the medical and physical requirements for full-time employment/Active Duty service.
Note 2: For summer internship applications, you may apply as a current 1L, full-time student and submit a list of courses in which you are enrolled. 1Ls in their first semester are eligible for the summer internship as long as they are anticipating completion of their first year of law school courses. 1L evening/part-time students should reach contact the Intern/Extern Program Manager.
If you have questions or concerns, please email the Intern/Extern Program Manager at NavyJAGInternships@us.navy.mil.
Programs
Summer Internships
Full-time positions are available each summer.
Start: First Monday of June
Length: 8-10 weeks.
Location: Internships are in-person. The Internship/Externship Program Manager will work to accepted applicants using their preferred locations listed on their application but cannot guarantee placement in specific locations or offices.
Academic Credit, scholarships, or funding: The Navy JAG Corps internship may be eligible for academic credit or government/public service scholarships or school funding. The Navy JAG Corps strongly prefers using the standard forms available in the sidebar. However, the Internship/Externship Program Manager may work with your schools to facilitate academic credit and/or funding from your school.
*Expedited Professional Recommendation Pipeline: High performing interns are eligible to be considered for a full-time offer to join the Navy JAG Corps (pending medical screening and bar passage). This pipeline considers the intern's application materials, intern evaluation, and structured interview. Decisions will be provided prior to the next accessions board so interns who do not review an expedited offer are still eligible and able to apply.
Semester Externships
Full or part-time positions are available during the fall or spring semester. The Navy JAG Corps supports full-time “Semester in Practice” type programs.
Start: Flexible. Start date will be contingent on security screening and other processing prerequisites.
Length: Limited to a single semester. Extensions into the summer or follow on semester are not authorized unless you reapply and are accepted for that additional period.
Location: Internships are in-person. The Internship/Externship Program Manager will work to accepted applicants using their preferred locations listed on their application but cannot guarantee placement in specific locations or offices.
Academic Credit, scholarships, or funding: The Navy JAG Corps internship may be eligible for academic credit or government/public service scholarships or school funding. The Navy JAG Corps strongly prefers using the standard forms available in the sidebar. However, the Internship/Externship Program Manager may work with your schools to facilitate academic credit and/or funding from your school.
Locations
Though the Navy has worldwide locations, internship/externship opportunities are currently limited to bases in the United States.
Recent available locations included San Diego, CA; Groton, Connecticut; Navy Yard, D.C.; Washington/Arlington, VA; Norfolk, VA; Jacksonville, Mayport, and Pensacola, FL; Pearl Harbor, HI; Great Lakes, IL; New Orleans, LA; Newport, RI; San Antonio, TX; Bremerton, WA
Specific office assignments will be made once applicants accept their internship offer.
Note: Applicants are personally responsible for making all travel and living arrangements. The Navy does not currently provide funding.
Areas of Practice
Interns/externs will be exposed to one or more of the core practice areas:
- Military justice (criminal prosecution or defense; appellate; judiciary)
- Legal assistance (providing general legal advice to Sailors and their families)
- Command advice/services (advising military commanders and their staffs).
Assigned duties and practice areas will vary by location and office.
Application Deadlines
2025 Spring externships: AUG-SEP
2025 Summer internships: SEP-OCT
2025 Fall externships: FEB-MAR
Application Forms
OPNAV 1070 3 (REV 2022) - Application
OPNAV 1070 3 (REV 2022) - Intern Application (upload)
Complete all sections of the application
*PDF File has fillable blocks and must be "Enabled." Due to the fillable blocks, you must first save the file. Right click the box on the upper left-hand sidebar or below. Once downloaded, open the file either in Adobe or via web browser to complete.
OF306 - DECLARATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEMENT
Complete all applicable sections of the form. This form is utilized for your security clearance processing.
*PDF File has fillable blocks and must be "Enabled." Due to the fillable blocks, you must first save the file. Right click the box on the upper left-hand sidebar or below. Once downloaded, open the file either in Adobe or via web browser to complete.
Recommendation Letters
Letters may either be submitted as part of the online application (link above) or emailed to NavyJAGInternships@us.navy.mil. Mailed letters will not be considered.
Letters may be addressed to "Intern Selection Board."