JAG announces law school programs

  • Published
  • 35th Fighter Wing Legal Office
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Officers interested in applying for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program may do so between Jan. 1 through Feb. 15. 

However, there are several prerequisites that must be completed now in order to apply for either program.

"Air Force missions are constantly changing, and commanders need access to legal advisors with a broad background of military experiences," said Lt. Col. Erik Coyne, 35th Fighter Wing staff judge advocate. "FLEP and ELP help ensure the JAG Corps has officers whose military experience complements their legal training, providing commanders with high-caliber legal support."

According to Coyne, Air Force JAGs provide a broad spectrum of legal services.  In addition to prosecuting and defending clients in courts-martial, JAG officers participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission, including developing and acquiring weapons systems, ensuring availability of airspace and ranges where those systems are tested and operated, consulting with commanders about how those systems are employed in armed conflict, and assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world.

JAGs also have an opportunity to provide one-on-one confidential legal assistance to service members around the world with their individual situations. 

"Every facet of every Air Force mission is bound by elements of the law," Coyne said. 

FLEP is a paid legal studies program and assignment action for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers.  Participants receive full pay, allowances, and tuition.  Applicants must have between two and six years active-duty service (enlisted or commissioned) and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school.  FLEP is subject to tuition limitations, and positions may be limited due to overall funding availability.  The tuition limit is set at approximately $16,000 per year, but may change year to year. 

ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers.  Participants do not receive pay and allowances, but remain on active duty for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes.  ELP applicants must have between two and 10 years active-duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

Both the FLEP and ELP programs require attendance at an American Bar Association accredited 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 complete all application forms, apply (acceptance is not required at the time of application for FLEP/ELP) to at least one ABA accredited law school, receive their Law School Admissions Test results, and interview with a staff judge advocate by Feb. 15. Officers must provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field. 

Applications meet a selection board in early March. The total number of applicants selected for any academic year is based on the needs of the Air Force.  Air Force Instruction 51-101, Judge Advocate Accession Program, Chapters 2 and 3, discuss the FLEP and ELP.  For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, contact the 35 FW base legal office, or contact 1-800-JAG-USAF.