Question about Marine Corps JAG

[charlesamati]

In August of this year, I will begin law school at the University of Florida and will soon sign the papers to enter the OCS class of June 2009 (between my first and second years of law school). I plan to contract for the JAG, and I have a few questions for anyone who may be a Marine JAG or anyone who has any experiences with them.

1. One of the appealing things to me about the Marines' JAG, in particular, is that they double (at least in training) as line officers. If I'm a Marine, I don't want to hide behind a desk: how common is it for Marine JAGs to find themselves in combat situations?

2. What day-to-day duties do Marine JAGs have that might differ from those of Army or Navy JAGs?

3. Is there any kind of a stigma that accompanies Marine JAGs among their fellow Marines? That is to say, are they ostricised because they don't carry a combat billet?


4. Lastly, how are the employment prospects for retired JAGs (Marines in particular)? Do firms look fondly upon 30-something Marine JAGs with trial experience when stacked up against a 25 y/o fresh out of law school?

Thank you to anyone who reads this and responds and, of course, thank you to all of you Marines for your service.

[Zulu 36]

In August of this year, I will begin law school at the University of Florida and will soon sign the papers to enter the OCS class of June 2009 (between my first and second years of law school). I plan to contract for the JAG, and I have a few questions for anyone who may be a Marine JAG or anyone who has any experiences with them.

1. One of the appealing things to me about the Marines' JAG, in particular, is that they double (at least in training) as line officers. If I'm a Marine, I don't want to hide behind a desk: how common is it for Marine JAGs to find themselves in combat situations?

2. What day-to-day duties do Marine JAGs have that might differ from those of Army or Navy JAGs?

3. Is there any kind of a stigma that accompanies Marine JAGs among their fellow Marines? That is to say, are they ostricised because they don't carry a combat billet?


4. Lastly, how are the employment prospects for retired JAGs (Marines in particular)? Do firms look fondly upon 30-something Marine JAGs with trial experience when stacked up against a 25 y/o fresh out of law school?

Thank you to anyone who reads this and responds and, of course, thank you to all of you Marines for your service.
Well, it might be the police officer in me, but: a lawyer, is a lawyer, is a lawyer.

Most JAG officers I knew did not have a tremendous amount of trial experience on either side of the court room. Most CMs are pled or don't take much time at all. Really serious, media-grabbing cases, end up with civilian counsel. Service people get civilian counsel in the big cases for two very simple reasons - JAGs don't have much trial experience AND they are much easier for the command to screw with.

Plus, the legal system is different between military and civilian law. Of course it doesn't mean you can't learn new tricks later on.

Most Marine JAGOs won't lead Marines in combat. Some may see combat, but they'll more likely be taking orders from a sergeant than giving them.

Employment opportunities for a former JAGO are good. I know quite a few civilian lawyers who had been JAGOs in one branch or another and had no problems finding a civilian law job. The military does offer some experience in law, leadership, and legal office administration that a fresh law grad does not have.

BTW: I'm sorry you're going to UF instead of UMich, but that's the way it goes. :D

[charlesamati]

Zulu,

Thank you for your candid response; it's nice to hear a perspective other than that of my recruiter.