JAG corps announces law school programs

link U.S. Air Force graphic: Senior Airman Alexxis Pons Abascal

Officers interested in continuing to serve the Air Force as a Judge Advocate are invited to apply to the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program.

Officers selected for FLEP have the opportunity to attend law school at the expense of the Air Force while also continuing to receive full pay, allowances and tuition. Officers chosen for ELP are responsible for law school expenses and do not receive full pay, allowances or tuition. However, ELP participants remain eligible for active duty benefits and continue to accrue time toward retirement and promotion.

Selection for the opportunity to participate in these highly competitive programs will be based on a review of application packages in their entirety with a focus on the "whole person" concept. Interested officers can apply online at http://www.airforce.com/jag through Feb. 10, 2015.

Graduates of FLEP and ELP possess the unique ability to draw on their military experiences when providing legal advice to commanders and other clients. JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission, which includes assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world, enabling the maintenance of good order and discipline, advising on the development and acquisition of weapons systems, consulting with operators and commanders on the laws of armed conflict, and helping to take care of the people who take care of the mission. Officers who graduate from FLEP or ELP deliver to the Air Force JAG Corps distinct perspectives on the Air Force mission as a result of their prior career field training and experience.

"As a FLEP, the Air Force provided me the opportunity to go to law school while continuing my active duty service," said Capt. Tiffany Johnson, 27th Special Operations Wing Judge Advocate assistant staff judge advocate. "There is no doubt that it is one of the best Air Force programs available. Not only was it an incredible educational opportunity, but the program also includes internship opportunities with the JAG Corps during the summer months. The JAG Corps is truly a family, and the FLEP and ELP programs are a great way to join it."

FLEP applicants must have between two and six years of active duty service and must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school. The time in service requirements cannot be waived for FLEP. ELP applicants must have between two and 10 years of active duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

In addition, both FLEP and ELP require attendance at an American Bar Association approved law school. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, or a federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates. To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must have completed all application forms, applied to at least one ABA approved law school (acceptance is not required at the time of application for FLEP/ELP), and received their Law School Admissions Test results by Feb. 10, 2015. In addition, applicants need to complete an interview with a Staff Judge Advocate before March 1, 2015. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field.

27 SOW/JA will hold a briefing in the courtroom on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. for interested persons.

For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, contact Capt. Holly Buchanan at 27 SOW/JA ([email protected] or DSN 681-2211) or contact Capt. Megan C. Mallone, HQ USAF/JAX ([email protected] or 1-800-JAG-USAF).