I am in the process of finishing my AIT for the Army Reserves. When I return home I start law school. My long-term goal is to become a JAG officer, but like everything it's extremely competitive. From my understanding there are a few ways to go about becoming an officer. Either complete ROTC, OCS, or attend the JAG training after passing the bar exam. Any advice? Also can you attend ROTC at a university you did not get your undergrad from?
From a purely practical standpoint, ROTC is good if youre in or about to enter an institute of higher learning. This is because it allows you a long period of time to soak up knowledge and could give you options to help finance your education. OCS is a decent option if you have finished your post secondary education or the school you attend doesnt have ROTC and taking it at another school is logistically too difficult. You could probably fashion out some sort of program with a ROTC department while youre at law school. ROTC is primarily an undergrad endeavor but Ive know folks who took it while working on a Masters Degree. One thing though. I did ROTC in undergrad and later went to law school. I couldnt imagine doing both the first year of law school and ROTC at the same time. Not that ROTC is particularly difficult. Its just that it is a completely different ball of wax and you really dont need any distractions in that critical first year.
Unless there is something youre leaving out, I wouldnt bother with ROTC or OCS and just take the direct commissioning route after getting your law degree and passing the bar.
I had never heard of it, but I just saw the Air Force offers exactly what you are looking for (perhaps the Army does as well):
quote:
The Graduate Law Program (GLP) is a two-year Air Force ROTC program for law students. Once selected for the GLP, students are guaranteed a position as an Air Force judge advocate upon successful completion of the Air Force ROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school and completion of legal licensing requirements including admission to practice before any state’s highest court.
