JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL’S CORPS ANNOUNCES 2015 LAW SCHOOL PROGRAMS

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  • 19 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The U.S. Air Force is now accepting applications through Feb. 10, 2015, for two law school programs that will be paid for at the expense of the Air Force. Every year the Air Force selects a small percent of applicants to attend Ivy League schools to further increase their legal knowledge and understanding.

Officers interested in continuing to serve the Air Force as a Judge Advocate General are invited to apply to the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) and Excess Leave Program (ELP).  Officers selected for FLEP have the opportunity to attend law school at the Air Force's expense 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 and 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 www.airforce.com/jag through Feb. 10, 2015. 

The Value of FLEP and ELP Graduates

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 advising 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 last but not least, helping to take care of the people that take care of the mission.  Officers that 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.   

"I've not only witnessed the significant contributions that FLEP and ELP graduates provide to commanders, I've also benefitted from them myself," said Capt. Melina Hill, a 19th Airlift Wing JAG recruiter. "I often seek the professional opinion of fellow JAGs that are FLEP or ELP graduates, because their prior military experience provides a unique perspective."

Basic FLEP and ELP Requirements
 
FLEP applicants must have between two and six years 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 active-duty service and must be in the pay grade of 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 (ABA) 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. 

For more information and application materials, visit www.airforce.com/jag, contact Capt. Melina Hill at (501) 987-7886, or Capt. Megan C. Mallone, HQ USAF/JAX, or call 1-800-JAG-USAF.