Judge Advocate General's Corps seeks law school applicants

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Officers interested in continuing to serve the Air Force as a judge advocate (JAG) 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 Air Force 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 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.

FLEP and ELP graduates possess the ability to draw on military experiences when providing legal advice to commanders and other clients. JAG officers participate in multiple facets of the Air Force mission. These range from assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world, to enabling the maintenance of good order and discipline, to advising on the development and acquisition of weapons systems, consulting with operators and commanders on the laws of armed conflict. They also help 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.

Maj. Lanourra Phlilips, 88th Air Base Wing deputy staff judge advocate and an FLEP graduate, said that while she may be biased, she believes that FLEP and ELP graduates have a lot to offer the JAG Corp.

"No matter which career field they come from, FLEP and ELP graduates provide a unique perspective and a wealth of Air Force experience to the JAG office which ultimately benefits commanders and their ability to execute the mission," Phlilips said.

FLEP and ELP requirements

FLEP applicants must have between two and six years active-duty service and must be a captain or below on 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 a captain or below on the first day of law school.

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 American Bar Association-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.

At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, interested parties can obtain more information along with application materials by visiting visit www.airforce.com/jag, contacting Capt. Robert Brady at robert.brady.12@us.af.mil or 937-904-2159. Brady will conduct a question and answer briefing on FLEP/ELP programs Sept. 17 beginning at noon in the 88 ABW/JA Legal Office located in Bldg. 10, Area A.

Interested personnel also can contact Capt. Megan Mallone, Headquarters Air Force JA, at megan.c.mallone.mil@mail.mil, or call 1-800-JAG-USAF.