The recent 60th anniversary of D-Day and a Memorial Day in which many soldiers are battling overseas were profound reminders of the military's importance to our society. However, combat is not the only way to aid the army's cause. While many men and women continue to fight for freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world, there are a host of opportunities for young lawyers to serve their country by using their legal expertise. The Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps is a unique and exciting possibility for lawyers who, with all due respect to Martin Luther, want to prove that peace and justice are equally important.
For those unfamiliar with the department, or the CBS drama of the same name for that matter, the JAG Corps, founded by none other than George Washington, is the oldest established congregation of lawyers in the U.S. Though many private firms possess storied legacies, not one can trace its roots back as far as 1775. The JAG Corps played an important role in the founding of America, and it continues to be a vital element of the country today. Military attorneys are the ones facing the responsibility of making sure that situations such as the prisoner mistreatment at Abu Ghraib are dealt with and not repeated.
In addition to its unrivaled history, the JAG Corps remains one of the world's largest firms. The majority of Judge Advocates are enlisted soldiers. However, there are numerous positions for civilians as well.
Civilians entering the JAG Corps do not have to go through the same rigorous training that soldiers do; but there are some requirements, such as instruction in military law at TJAGSA in Charlottesville, Virginia. Though not mandatory, there is the opportunity for further legal studies. The JAG Corps offers continued education to those desiring LL.M. degrees.
Throughout the course of history, Judge Advocates have prosecuted some of the most important international cases, none more visible than the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-46. The JAG Corps aided United States Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals such as Hermann Goering, Rudolph Hess and Albert Speer. The proceedings, which was the legal response to the atrocities of World War II, were perhaps the most visceral of the 20th Century. However, they were but a small slice of the JAG Corps' contributions. Over the years, Judge Advocates have had the responsibility of bringing thousands of war criminals to justice.
While military justice may be the most visible branch of the firm, attorneys can explore almost every aspect of the legal world, from labor to environmental law. The diversity of the experience is compounded by the chance to be stationed around the globe and gain immediate first-hand knowledge of a courtroom. Judge Advocates generally have the chance to earn meaningful experience more quickly than their private practice counterparts, so it is a situation befitting hungry attorneys that would like to eschew otherwise necessary banalities.
If "lieutenant" suits you better than "associate," the JAG Corps is for you. Working for the army will not offer nearly the same financial reward as the private sector and will also entail a commitment of several years for those who want to be soldiers. However, there is no other place where such dramatic experience can be had in matters of national security.
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