To be eligible for the Student Program (SP) with the Navy JAG Corps, you must:

• be a United States citizen of good moral character;
• be younger than 42 years of age at the time you begin active duty;
• have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), or participate in a direct law school admission program;
• be a law student with at least one year of school completed, attending an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited school. Students who attend law school part-time or intend to matriculate in a dual degree program must be within two years of completing all remaining degree requirements, and
• meet the physical and medical requirements for commission in the Navy. If you have concerns about the medical qualifications, you may contact the Accessions Program Manager but ultimately will need to go through medical screening process for adjudication.
  • The physical requirements include meeting Navy and DoD fitness standards.
• Navy officers are required to participate in Physical Readiness Test(s) each year. The test consists of completing as many pushups as possible in two minutes, a cardio test (typically a 1.5 mile run, but other options include a 500y/450m swim, 12-minute stationary bike, or 2,000 meter row), and a timed plank. More information is available at Physical Fitness Test.

NOTE: If you are an active duty naval officer currently attending law school, you are ineligible to apply via the Student Program.

NOTE: Individuals who have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school, but have not yet taken the first available bar exam for their state, territory, commonwealth or district, may still apply through the Student Program. Following the first bar exam opportunity, graduates become ineligible for the Student Program and must apply through the Direct Appointment program once they become a member of any federal, state, territory, commonwealth or DC bar.

Interested in speaking to a general Navy JAG recruiting officer? Request to schedule an appointment via NavyJAGAccessions@us.navy.mil.

If you have any issues with the application site, please contact NavyJAGAccessions@us.navy.mil.

Becoming a judge advocate is a two-phase process.

Phase One: Professional Recommendation

The first phase is to apply for a Professional Recommendation for selection by the Navy JAG Corps. If you are Professionally Recommended, you then be screened for active-duty eligibility – including medical background, security clearances.  Once eligibility is determined, applicants are authorized to become Collegiate Officer Candidates while still attending law school.  Officer candidates continue law school until graduation and take the first available bar examination of the jurisdiction of their choice (any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, District or Federal Court).

Phase Two: Officer Training and Naval Justice School

After graduating law school and receiving confirmation of passing the bar exam, Officer Candidates will receive orders to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). This training focuses on fundamentals of leadership, military knowledge and the Foundry required create, maintain and sustain warfighters and warfighting.  Upon completion and graduation from OCS, candidates earn their commission and become active-duty naval officers.

Our new naval officers will then report to the next available Basic Lawyer Course at Naval Justice School (NJS) in Newport, RI. Upon graduation from NJS, new judge advocates return to their permanent duty station and are committed to four years of active duty. For more information, visit the Path of a Navy JAG Corps Officer.

Student Program applicants can apply to any available and open cycle offered in that year. There are generally two to three cycles per calendar year, Fall (August – October), Spring (January – February) and Summer (April – May). Applicants can apply as both a 2L and a 3L — there is no limit on how often you can resubmit the application and apply. Submitting an application doesn't mean you joined the Navy. Applicants are under no obligation whatsoever until they are offered and accept to become an Officer Candidate with the Navy.

Phase One: Apply for a Professional Recommendation

Prior to the application deadline, you must complete the following steps: 

1. Begin the Online Application
   Complete the application by the deadline provided above. All applicants should download and read the application guide linked above in its entirety. Additional details and instructions can be found inside the online application platform. Applicants are responsible for reading and complying with all directions, guidance and requirements. 
   
2. Schedule a Structured Interview
   Schedule and complete a structured interview with two current judge advocates, by the deadlines listed above.
   
   Information for scheduling a Navy JAG Corps interview is located in the application guide above. While you may work on and upload documents into your application, your interview must be completed before the application deadline. Your application will not be considered without a completed interview.
   
   Applicants are responsible for contacting the appropriate recruiting officer(s) to schedule their interview.    
   
   NOTE: Applicants are only permitted to interview once during law school. A structured interview is valid for (3) calendar years; re-interviewing during that time is not authorized without specific approval from the Office of the Judge Advocate General.  
   
   
3. Upload Relevant Documents
   Ensure your full length photo, transcripts, letters of recommendation and all additional documents have been submitted by the deadline. Documents must be submitted via the online application. They will not be accepted if received by email or mail.
   
4. Confirm and Submit
   Once completed, review the application and confirm the accuracy of the information contained therein. When you are 100% ready, submit the application. All applications must be timestamped as submitted by 2359 (11:59 PM) on the date of the application cycle deadline. Late applications may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

Once applications are received, the accessions office completes a full review of all applications for completeness and ensures each applicant is eligible. The completed packages of all eligible applicants are then reviewed by a board of senior active duty judge advocates. The board typically takes place 4 weeks after the application deadline. The final selection of professionally recommended students must be reviewed and approved by the Judge Advocate General. Applicants who are professionally recommended will be notified individually, usually within 6-8 weeks after the application deadline.

Note: If you are not selected, you may reapply by each deadline as long as you remain eligible. You must submit a new application. The structured interview does not expire, however you are not allowed to have a new structured interview within a three year period. After three years have passed, you may (but are not required to) request a new structured interview.

Phase Two: U.S. Navy Commissioning Screening

If your application is selected, you will be considered Professionally Recommended for a commission and begin Phase Two. In Phase Two, the final screening and commissioning of applicants is conducted by Navy Recruiting Command. During this phase the following will occur:

1. A Navy recruiter will work with you to complete the commissioning requirements, including a medical examination and security investigation. Upon successful completion of these requirements, you will be offered a commission.
2. If you accept your commission, you will then take the oath of office for a commission and sign a Service Agreement. Student Program officers will serve as ensigns (O-1) (in a non-paid status) during law school and will promote to lieutenant junior grade (O-2) after passing the bar exam and upon starting active duty. Officers with at least one year of prior commissioned service will promote to lieutenant (O-3) when starting active duty. Student Program officers will begin active duty at the October or January Officer Training courses that follow receipt of their passing bar exam results.

If you have any additional questions, please email navyjagaccessions@us.navy.mil.

The Navy JAG Corps offers active duty judge advocates a competitive starting salary. The total compensation includes basic pay and certain non-taxable allowances, such as those for housing and subsistence. Housing allowances vary according to the cost of living in the area to which you are assigned. Pay increases come with promotion and longevity. For more information regarding basic pay and allowances, try out the Regular Military Compensation calculator.

The below table displays the income benefits for an officer stationed in San Diego, CA.