Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army
Encyclopedia
The Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army
is composed of Army officers who are also lawyers and who provide legal services to the Army at all levels of command. The Judge Advocate General's Legal Service includes judge advocates, warrant officers, paralegal noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted personnel, and civilian employees. The Judge Advocate General is a lieutenant general
. All military officers are appointed by the U.S. President subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, but the Judge Advocate General
is one of the few positions in the Army explicitly provided for by law in Title 10 of the United States Code
, and which requires a distinct appointment. Officers who have already been appointed to another branch of the Army are administratively dismissed and simultaneously recommissioned anew as Judge Advocates, rather than merely transferring branches.
founded the U.S. Army JAG Corps on 29 July 1775, with the appointment of William Tudor
as the Judge Advocate General. The Army Judge Advocate General's Corps is the oldest of the judge advocate communities
in the U.S. armed forces – as well as the oldest law firm in the United States. The Judge Advocate General, who is referred to as TJAG , serves a term of four years. Lieutenant General Dana K. Chipman
, appointed in October 2009, is the thirty-eighth Judge Advocate General and the second to serve in that grade. The appointment of his predecessor, then-Major General Scott C. Black
, to the grade of lieutenant general on 11 December 2008 brought the billet into parity with the Army's Surgeon General and Chief of Engineers
.
). Staff Judge Advocates advise commanders on the full range of legal matters encountered in Government legal practice and provide advice on courts-martial as required by the Uniform Code of Military Justice
. Subordinate judge advocates prosecute courts-martial, and others, assigned to the independent United States Army Trial Defense Service
and United States Army Trial Judiciary, serve as defense counsel and judges. The almost 2,000 full-time judge advocates and civilian attorneys who serve The Judge Advocate General's Corps comprise the largest group of attorneys who serve the U.S. Army. Several hundred other attorneys practice under the Chief Counsel of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
and the Command Counsel of the United States Army Materiel Command
.
Judge advocates are deployed throughout the United States and around the world, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Kosovo, Iraq
, Afghanistan, Kuwait
, and Qatar
. They provide legal assistance to soldiers, adjudicate claims against the Army, advise commands on targeting decisions and other aspects of operational law, and assist the command in administering military justice by preparing non-judicial punishment
actions, administrative separation actions, and trying criminal cases at court-martial
.
In addition to the active component judge advocates, there are approximately 5,000 attorneys who serve in the US Army Reserve and the Army National Guard
. Several hundred Reserve and National Guard attorneys were called to active duty to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
at the University of Michigan
to train new judge advocates as the Judge Advocate General's Department rapidly expanded. It was disestablished for a time after the war but, after a short stay at Fort Myer
in Arlington, Virginia, was reestablished at the University of Virginia in 1951.
The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS)
is located on the North Grounds at the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, Virginia
, adjoining, but distinct from, the University of Virginia School of Law
. The Commandant of the Judge Advocate General's School is authorized by Congress to award a Master of Laws
degree. The School is the only Federal institution to have American Bar Association
accreditation as one of America's law schools. Judge Advocates from all five armed forces of the United States and international students attend the annual Judge Advocate Officer Graduate Course in which the Master's degree is awarded.
The Legal Center and School also trains the Army's new Judge Advocates, provides continuing legal education for Judge Advocates and lawyers from throughout the United States Government, and trains the Army's senior paralegal noncommissioned officers and court reporters (new Judge Advocate enlisted soldiers attend AIT at Fort Jackson, South Carolina). The School trains those officers appointed military judges, irresepective of service.
TJAGLCS is not a member of the Association of American Law Schools
(AALS), but has paid a fee to receive AALS services.
Initial entry training into the JAG Corps is composed of three phases:
JAG Corps enlisted paralegals have no prerequisites other than specific ASVAB qualifying scores.
The regimental distinctive insignia (commonly but erroneously referred to as a "crest") contains the branch insignia on a shield of azure (dark blue), bordered argent (silver), the regimental colors. The "1775" on the ribbon below the shields refers to the year of the Corps' establishment.
United Kingdom
Canada
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
is composed of Army officers who are also lawyers and who provide legal services to the Army at all levels of command. The Judge Advocate General's Legal Service includes judge advocates, warrant officers, paralegal noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted personnel, and civilian employees. The Judge Advocate General is a lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
. All military officers are appointed by the U.S. President subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, but the Judge Advocate General
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
is one of the few positions in the Army explicitly provided for by law in Title 10 of the United States Code
Title 10 of the United States Code
Title 10 of the United States Code outlines the role of armed forces in the United States Code.It provides the legal basis for the roles, missions and organization of each of the services as well as the United States Department of Defense...
, and which requires a distinct appointment. Officers who have already been appointed to another branch of the Army are administratively dismissed and simultaneously recommissioned anew as Judge Advocates, rather than merely transferring branches.
The Judge Advocate General
General George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
founded the U.S. Army JAG Corps on 29 July 1775, with the appointment of William Tudor
William Tudor
William Tudor was a wealthy lawyer and leading citizen of Boston. His eldest son William Tudor became a leading literary figure in Boston...
as the Judge Advocate General. The Army Judge Advocate General's Corps is the oldest of the judge advocate communities
Judge Advocate General's Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
in the U.S. armed forces – as well as the oldest law firm in the United States. The Judge Advocate General, who is referred to as TJAG , serves a term of four years. Lieutenant General Dana K. Chipman
Dana K. Chipman
Lieutenant General Dana Kyle Chipman, USA is an American military lawyer who is currently the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army....
, appointed in October 2009, is the thirty-eighth Judge Advocate General and the second to serve in that grade. The appointment of his predecessor, then-Major General Scott C. Black
Scott C. Black
Lieutenant General Scott C. Black is a retired American military lawyer who was the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army from October 1, 2005 to October 1, 2009. He was the first Lieutenant General to hold that position....
, to the grade of lieutenant general on 11 December 2008 brought the billet into parity with the Army's Surgeon General and Chief of Engineers
Chief of Engineers
The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a staff officer at The Pentagon, the Chief advises the Army on engineering matters and serves as the Army's topographer and the proponent for real estate and other related engineering programs....
.
Mission
Judge Advocates occupying the position of Staff Judge Advocate serve on the special and personal staff of general officers in command who are general court-martial convening authorities (in other words, who have the authority to convene a general court-martialCourt-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
). Staff Judge Advocates advise commanders on the full range of legal matters encountered in Government legal practice and provide advice on courts-martial as required by the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
. Subordinate judge advocates prosecute courts-martial, and others, assigned to the independent United States Army Trial Defense Service
United States Army Trial Defense Service
The United States Army Trial Defense Service is an independent unit within the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army, and is part of the US Army Legal Services Agency . The TDS motto is "Defending Those Who Defend America."...
and United States Army Trial Judiciary, serve as defense counsel and judges. The almost 2,000 full-time judge advocates and civilian attorneys who serve The Judge Advocate General's Corps comprise the largest group of attorneys who serve the U.S. Army. Several hundred other attorneys practice under the Chief Counsel of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
and the Command Counsel of the United States Army Materiel Command
United States Army Materiel Command
The U.S. Army Materiel Command is the primary provider of materiel to the United States Army.The Command's mission includes the research & development of weapons systems as well as maintenance and parts distribution....
.
Judge advocates are deployed throughout the United States and around the world, including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Kosovo, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Afghanistan, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, and Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
. They provide legal assistance to soldiers, adjudicate claims against the Army, advise commands on targeting decisions and other aspects of operational law, and assist the command in administering military justice by preparing non-judicial punishment
Nonjudicial punishment
Non-judicial punishment in the United States military, is a form of military justice authorized by Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Non-judicial punishment or "NJP" permits commanders to administratively discipline troops without a court-martial...
actions, administrative separation actions, and trying criminal cases at court-martial
Court-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
.
In addition to the active component judge advocates, there are approximately 5,000 attorneys who serve in the US Army Reserve and the Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
. Several hundred Reserve and National Guard attorneys were called to active duty to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Legal Center and School
The Judge Advocate General's School began in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
to train new judge advocates as the Judge Advocate General's Department rapidly expanded. It was disestablished for a time after the war but, after a short stay at Fort Myer
Fort Myer
Fort Myer is a U.S. Army post adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is a small post by U.S...
in Arlington, Virginia, was reestablished at the University of Virginia in 1951.
The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS)
The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School
The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School educates military, civilian, and international personnel in legal and leadership skills. The center is operated by the United States Army and is located in Charlottesville, Virginia...
is located on the North Grounds at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, adjoining, but distinct from, the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
. The Commandant of the Judge Advocate General's School is authorized by Congress to award a Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
degree. The School is the only Federal institution to have American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
accreditation as one of America's law schools. Judge Advocates from all five armed forces of the United States and international students attend the annual Judge Advocate Officer Graduate Course in which the Master's degree is awarded.
The Legal Center and School also trains the Army's new Judge Advocates, provides continuing legal education for Judge Advocates and lawyers from throughout the United States Government, and trains the Army's senior paralegal noncommissioned officers and court reporters (new Judge Advocate enlisted soldiers attend AIT at Fort Jackson, South Carolina). The School trains those officers appointed military judges, irresepective of service.
TJAGLCS is not a member of the Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a non-profit organization of 170 law schools in the United States. Another 25 schools are "non-member fee paid" schools, which are not members but choose to pay AALS dues. Its purpose is to improve the legal profession through the improvement of legal...
(AALS), but has paid a fee to receive AALS services.
Army Judge Advocate qualifications
Prior to entry into the JAG Corps, all Army Judge Advocates must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school and be admitted to practice law by the highest court of a state or federal district. While some Judge Advocates have prior enlisted or commissioned experience, most are direct commissioned and have no prior military training or experience.Initial entry training into the JAG Corps is composed of three phases:
- 12 day military orientation course at Fort Lee, VirginiaFort Lee, VirginiaFort Lee is a census-designated place in Prince George County, Virginia, United States. The population was 7,269 at the 2000 census.Fort Lee is a United States Army post and headquarters of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command / Sustainment Center of Excellence , the U.S. Army Quartermaster...
- 10½ week Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC) at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS)
- 6 week Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort Benning, GeorgiaFort BenningFort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
.
JAG Corps enlisted paralegals have no prerequisites other than specific ASVAB qualifying scores.
Insignia
The branch insignia consists of a gold pen crossed above a gold sword, superimposed over a laurel wreath. The pen signifies the recording of testimony, the sword represents the military character of the JAG Corps, and the wreath indicates honor. The insignia was created in May 1890 in silver and changed to gold in 1899.The regimental distinctive insignia (commonly but erroneously referred to as a "crest") contains the branch insignia on a shield of azure (dark blue), bordered argent (silver), the regimental colors. The "1775" on the ribbon below the shields refers to the year of the Corps' establishment.
See also
- United States Army Trial Defense ServiceUnited States Army Trial Defense ServiceThe United States Army Trial Defense Service is an independent unit within the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army, and is part of the US Army Legal Services Agency . The TDS motto is "Defending Those Who Defend America."...
- U.S. Army Criminal Investigation CommandU.S. Army Criminal Investigation CommandUnited States Army Criminal Investigation Command investigates felony crimes and serious violations of military law within the United States Army...
- Army Court of Criminal AppealsArmy Court of Criminal AppealsIn the United States military, the Army Court of Criminal Appeals is an appellate court that reviews certain court martial convictions of Army personnel.-Jurisdiction:...
- U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's CorpsJudge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. NavyThe Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving...
- U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate DivisionU.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate DivisionThe Judge Advocate Division is the United States Marine Corps's legal arm, and is subordinate to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. The head of the Division is the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps...
- U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's CorpsJudge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Air ForceThe Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Air Force.- History :The United States Air Force became a separate military service in September 1947. On 25 June 1948, the Congress established an office of The Judge Advocate General ...
- U.S. Coast Guard Legal Division
- Judge Advocate General's CorpsJudge Advocate General's CorpsJudge Advocate General's Corps, also known as JAG or JAG Corps, refers to the legal branch or specialty of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy. Officers serving in the JAG Corps are typically called Judge Advocates. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not maintain separate JAG Corps...
- Judge Advocate General (disambiguation)
- Military ruleMilitary ruleMilitary rule may mean:* Militarism or militarist ideology - the ideology of government as best served when under military control* Military occupation, when a country or area is occupied after invasion.** List of military occupations...
United Kingdom
- Judge Advocate of the FleetJudge Advocate of the FleetIn the United Kingdom, the Judge Advocate of Her Majesty's Fleet was a civilian judge who was responsible for the supervision and superintendence of the court martial system in the Royal Navy...
- Judge Advocate General (United Kingdom)
Canada
- Judge Advocate General (Canada)Judge Advocate General (Canada)The Office of the Judge Advocate General for the Canadian Forces provides legal advice to commanders at bases and wings, provides lawyers who defend accused persons at courts martial, teaches courses to other CF members or advises a commanding officer in an operational theatre to uphold the ethical...