JAG Corps announces law school programs

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted Jan. 1 - March 1, 2014.

"Our Air Force commanders deserve to have legal advisors with a broad background of military experiences," said Lt. Col. Mynda Ohman, 55th Wing staff judge advocate. "The FLEP and ELP will ensure that the Air Force can continue to maintain a corps of officers whose military experience complements their legal training, providing commanders with the highest caliber of legal support."

According to Ohman, Air Force JAGs do more than provide legal assistance and prosecute and defend Airmen brought before courts-martial.

"Laws - from our Constitution to statutes to international treaties - touch every part of our Air Force mission," Ohman said.

JAG officers support full spectrum operations, including developing and acquiring weapons systems, briefing air crews on international law related to freedom of navigation in international air space, consulting with commanders about how weapons are employed in armed conflict, and assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world.

"The Air Force JAG Corps provides an unparalleled opportunity to truly provide service above self," said Capt. Matt Tusing, a 55th Wing assistant staff judge advocate. "JAGs provide direct support to commanders and mission-critical functions, and just as importantly, we help our service members tackle personal legal issues that might otherwise distract them from their families and the mission. The position is tremendously rewarding."

Both the FLEP and ELP require attendance at a law school approved by the American Bar Association. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States, or federal court, candidates are eligible for the designation of judge advocate.

The number of FLEP and ELP applicants selected in any academic year is determined based on the needs of the Air Force, and interested officers are encouraged to compete.

The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers. The FLEP is an assignment action, and participants receive full pay, allowances, and tuition. FLEP applicants must have between 2-6 years of active duty service (enlisted or commissioned), and must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below as of the day they begin law school. The FLEP is subject to tuition limitations, and positions may be limited due to overall funding availability. The Air Force Institute of Technology tuition limit for the 2014 fiscal year is expected to be set at approximately $16,000 per year.

The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. ELP participants do not receive pay and allowances, but remain on active duty for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes. ELP applicants must have between 2-10 years of active duty service and must be in a pay grade of O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

Selection for both programs is competitive. To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must complete all application forms, apply to at least one ABA approved law school, have their Law School Admissions Test results, and complete a Staff Judge Advocate interview prior to March 1, 2014. Interested applicants should schedule this interview before February 15, 2014. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection board in early March. AFI 51-101, Judge Advocate Accession Program, chapters 2 and 3, discuss the FLEP and ELP. For more information and application materials, visit www.airforce.com/jag.