<p>I think the Judge Advocate General branches in the military are very good alternatives to BIGLAW even if the paychecks are in no way comparable. Besides offering up to $65,000 in loan repayment(for 3+ years of service), according to the [url=<a href="http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/attorneys/%5DNavy%5B/url">http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/attorneys/]Navy[/url</a>] and [url=<a href="http://www.goarmy.com/jag/about_army_jag_corps.jsp%5DArmy%5B/url">http://www.goarmy.com/jag/about_army_jag_corps.jsp]Army[/url</a>] websites, young attorneys are able to engage in directly cases almost immediately. </p>
<p>So, does anyone have any personal experience with JAG or know of someone who does? If so, please tell. Did you like? Not like? Was it fulfilling or disappointing?</p>
<p>I have 2 good friends who went the JAG route. One is very happy. She is assigned to a large city on the east coast. It's a mellow, secure job. Since she's a girl she is unlikely to be sent anywhere dangerous or unpleasant. She mainly defends sailors who are being court-martialed for drunk driving or spousal abuse. So it's not too exciting but there it is.</p>
<p>Another friend of mine decided to become a JAG. However, he was too macho to join the Navy like my other friend and be sent to "fork and knife school." Instead, he joined the Marines, where apparently every officer -- even a JAG -- must be combat trained.</p>
<p>While he was waiting for a spot to open at the Naval Justice Academy, my friend got involved with a unit in the Pacific and blew off the whole JAG corps. Instead he went to Marine Reconnaisance School which is some sort of elite unit. He ended up fighting in Iraq. His legal career is kind of messed up now.</p>
<p>I wouldnt want to work in the military, but thats just me. Why not go into public interest law for a few years (there are many programs that help you pay your debt if you go into public interest law) or work in a public defender's office. I think thats much more fullfilling than working in the military.</p>
<p>I'm not even done with my undergrad yet, but I was only considering JAG as a way to alleviate some or all of my law school debt. I'm not too wild about the idea of years full of DUI and marijuana cases. But I guess if I'm in a tight enough spot financially, I'll do whatever needs to be done.</p>
<p>I'm with ab_med on this one. I would rather do public interest law or even work as a public defender. I think that's more noble and does greater service to humanity than representing drunken/stoned/abusive GIs or sailors. I know the military needs lawyers, too, but I guess I'm just selfish and elitist like my parents have been telling me for years now. Too bad....</p>
<p>I believe some of the Federal Gov't agencies have loan repayment programs.</p>
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I think that's more noble and does greater service to humanity than representing drunken/stoned/abusive GIs or sailors. I know the military needs lawyers, too, but I guess I'm just selfish and elitist like my parents have been telling me for years now. Too bad....
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<p>By the way, not all JAGs do what my friend does. Especially if you are male, you do have other options. For example, you might be assigned to a carrier group or a task force to advise the commanding officers about what they can and can't due under the rules of engagement. (or finding justifications for what the top guys actually want to do! Hey, maybe it's not so different from a lot of law firm jobs.)</p>
<p>An associate came to our firm from JAG, which she had joined to get experience in litigation, which she got. The expericnce was quite valuable for her in landing a spot as an experienced junior litigator, and people thought well of her skills.</p>