Army lawyers, who are commissioned officers in the army's Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, are members of what's been called the oldest law firm in the United States. Competition to join this elite organization is high. Entry is limited to a select few young men and women who have completed their academic legal training and have passed the bar exam, and have also completed basic military training and officer training. Like the legal branches of the other services, the Army JAG Corps is very selective, accepting less than 25% of all applicants. Thus, it's much more difficult to become an Army lawyer than it is to join most civilian firms.
Most of those who want to become an Army lawyer apply to Army JAG during their final year of law school, just as they would to any civilian law firm. Some applicants, however, already have civilian legal experience, and a select few have graduated from one of the service academies and have been approved for graduate training in law school; that is, a West Point graduate can become an army lawyer.
Upon acceptance to the JAG Corps, candidates must successfully complete basic military training, followed by officer training, after which they take a 12-week course in military law with a strong emphasis on the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) &emdash; the code of law governing all aspects of the US military &emdash; at the Army's accredited law school in Virginia.
Military pay is generally not an incentive to become an Army lawyer. Top flight graduates of highly-rated law schools can usually count on high starting annual salaries when they join top-tier civilian law firms. Compensation in the military is based on rank, though, and a brand-new Army lawyer receives a captain's commission. With allowances, then, JAG captains might earn about a third to a half of what they could earn in a private firm. They can expect promotions in rank and the accompanying pay raises, however, as well as a host of other benefits that come along a military career.
In addition, JAG lawyers enjoy the opportunity to serve their country and participate in important cases. While many civilian lawyers begin their careers by doing research and assisting senior lawyers, Army lawyers generally start right away providing real-life legal assistance to service members and their families, and participating in courts-martial as prosecutors or defense counsel. In these roles, their expertise in military law, as well as a range of civilian legal issues, is constantly called upon. JAG lawyers also advise commanders at all levels on a wide range of military, civilian and international legal matters, including the rules of engagement and operational issues. Combat commanders in the field will frequently consult with JAG lawyers, planning operations in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.