The Navy JAG Corps deals with legal matters for the US Navy and Marines, from civilian matters to military trials. Its history dates back to the American Civil War, and candidates undergo similar training to civilian lawyers. After training, JAG officers can work as defense, prosecution, or judges during court-martials or advise servicemen on legal matters.
The Navy Judge Advocates General, or Navy JAG Corps, is the branch of the United States Navy that deals with domestic matters of law and legal policy. Its members, called judges’ advocates, do everything from assisting Navy members with civilian matters, such as drafting wills or reviewing lease agreements, to prosecuting, defending, or presiding over military trials. The Navy Jag Corps handles all matters relating to the United States Navy and Marines, but it is not uncommon to overlap with the JAG Corps of other service branches.
The Navy JAG Corps as we know it today began during the American Civil War. A court-martial case required the Navy to have official legal representation, so Nathaniel Wilson was appointed Attorney for the Department of the Navy. A few years later, the US Congress authorized the president to appoint a Solicitor and Naval Judge Advocate General, the forerunner of the modern Navy JAG Corps. The current JAG Corps came into being in 1967, when US President Lyndon Johnson established offices and gave official ranks and responsibilities to those who served in them.
Candidates for the Navy JAG Corps are nearly identical in training to American civilian lawyers. Most prospective candidates progress through standard civil law school and can apply for a JAG position anytime before, during, or after school. The Navy requires different information depending on what stage the candidate is in, but the requirements are similar to many advanced internships or internships. If the candidate finished law school, she must also have passed the bar exam.
Upon receiving a position in the Navy JAG Corps, all applicants undergo a similar introduction. The candidate receives special training in one of the specialized law schools of the US Army. The specific school for naval officers is Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, but it is not uncommon for naval candidates to attend one of the other two schools in Charlottesville, Virginia and Montgomery, Alabama. After finishing JAG training, the officer is licensed to practice law at any military location or base and is considered a full-fledged JAG officer.
Because they are the primary legal representatives for all levels of the Navy and Marines, members of the Navy JAG Corps have a wide variety of duties. These tasks generally fall into two main groups; work as a defense, prosecution or judge during a court-martial or advise servicemen on legal matters relating to both military and civilian life. While working in a court martial, the judge’s attorney’s job is nearly identical to that of many American lawyers or judges, except that they also have military laws to consider. While working with the military as legal counsel, they can perform jobs ranging from contract finding to educating people about local laws and customs.
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