<p>I’ve seen a number of posts recently from people wondering about becoming an attorney or physician from USNA. If you’re one of those, please consider the following:</p>
<li><p>The purpose of USNA is to produce unrestricted line officers (pilots, surface warfare officers, submarines, SEALs, etc.). It is NOT to produce doctors and lawyers.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, the Navy has physicians and attorneys (JAGs). Both of these professions are important to the Navy and USMC.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, a small number (usually 12-15) mids each year are permitted to attend med school directly from USNA. However, this program is not guaranteed and could be withdrawn at any time, as it was in the 1970s. Those pursuing this option typically (but not always) attend USUHS, the military medical school, and will owe an additional 7 years (total of 12) of active duty service obligation upon graduation from med school. And, last I knew, residency doesn’t count toward payback. So, at age 21, you’re essentially committing yourself to a Navy career.</p></li>
<li><p>There is no way to access law school directly from USNA. The Navy does have a program whereby a small number of junior officers (<6 yrs service when starting law school) can attend. However, you’ll incur an additional 6 yrs of service obligation (total of 11).</p></li>
<li><p>You don’t have to go directly from USNA to law school or medical school. There are many alums, such as myself, that fulfilled or exceeded our service obligation and then put ourselves through med school or law school. </p></li>
<li><p>Telling CGO or your BGO that you want to attend USNA so you can become a lawyer or doctor is a great way NOT to be offered an appointment. See #1 above. And going to USNA thinking you’re going to become a doctor or lawyer right away is a great way to be disappointed.</p></li>
<li><p>If you want to be a Navy MD, your best bet is to go to a civilian college and then apply to med school through the Navy program (there is one that will send you to med school). Or, get your degree and ask to join the military. To be a Navy JAG, your best bet is to go to civilian college and law school and then apply to be a JAG.</p></li>
<li><p>If your goal in life is to be an MD or JD at some point, consider attending USNA and starting out as a line officer. You may find you love it and don’t want to become an MD or JD. Or, you may decide to leave after your obligation, or even after retirement, and pursue your goal of being a doctor or lawyer – and your military experience will serve you in good stead. </p></li>
<li><p>If your goal in life is to be an MD or JD right away, go to civilian school. Seriously.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Lest anyone should make the assumption - the Navy guidelines do NOT apply to the other services. Army and AF have their own requirements and programs concerning Law and Medicine.</p>
<p>In case you were wondering how many were selected in this year's board for Law Education Progem:
RAAUZYUW RUEWMCS0000 1130014-UUUU--RUCRNAD.
ZNR UUUUU
R 220014Z APR 08
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
BT
UNCLAS //N01520//
NAVADMIN 112/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/APR//
SUBJ/FY-08 LAW EDUCATION PROGRAM SELECTION BOARD RESULTS//
REF/A/DOC/SECNAV/6 SEP 02//
AMPN/REF A IS SECNAVINST 1520.7F, LAW EDUCATION PROGRAM.// RMKS/1.<br>
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS ON THEIR SELECTION BY THE
BOARD TO THE LAW EDUCATION PROGRAM. THESE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPROVED
BY THEIR PARENT COMMUNITIES FOR RELEASE TO THE JAG CORPS LAW EDUCATION
PROGRAM:
NAME RANK SSN/DESIG/YG<br>
HUTCHINS, TODD E. ENS 0194/1160/06
LORENZ, JOSHUA R. LT 3342/1630/04
MCELHOSE, ROBERT A LT 7854/1120/03
MURRAY, STEPHEN A. LTJG 0899/1630/04
SCHEIDYOUNG, RALPH G. LT 5202/1110/03
SHOVLIN, KATHERINE E. LTJG 4504/1110/04
YOST, ADAM B. LTJG 9848/1110/04
2. PER REF A, FY-08 LAW EDUCATION PROGRAM SELECTEES WILL BEGIN LAW
SCHOOL IN FY-08, PRIOR TO THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR COMMENCEMENT
ON ACTIVE DUTY. SELECTEES MUST ACCEPT OR DECLINE ASSIGNMENT TO THE LAW
EDUCATION PROGRAM NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NAVADMIN.
MAKE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE OR DECLINATION VIA EMAIL TO
PERS 4416E, LCDR GOLDSMITH, WITH A COPY TO THE CENTER FOR PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (N2A2), MS. COLONNA, AND THE RESPECTIVE
DETAILERS.
3. NAVPERSCOM POC IS LCDR JENNIE GOLDSMITH, (PERS-4416E), AT
(901) 874-4084/DSN 882, EMAIL: JENNIE.GOLDSMITH(AT)NAVY.MIL. CPPD POC
IS MS. BILLIE COLONNA (N2A2), AT (850) 452-1001 x2219/DSN:<br>
992-1807, OR EMAIL: BILLIE.COLONNA(AT)NAVY.MIL.
4. RELEASED BY MR. PATRICK M. MCLAUGHLIN, N1B.// BT #0000 NNNN</p>
<p>The tricky thing about the law program is that you must decide within a few years of being commissioned that you want to apply. The reason is that, by law (i.e., it's not waiverable), you must start law school before you begin your 6th year of active duty. Given that you are commissioned in late May, you really must start law school NLT 5 years after graduation. Which means you must apply during your 4th year, meaning you basically must make the decision, take your LSATs, etc. in your 3rd year. </p>
<p>Given that most new Ensigns spend their first 18 months (+/-) in schools, this means that, about the time you're really into your first full tour, you need to be deciding on a major career change. And if you don't get picked up for the program, the whole thing may not go over all that well with your CO and other superiors. Not saying it can't be/isn't done, just that it isn't all that easy on many levels.</p>
<p>I am at the University of Maryland now and received an appointment to USNA. I have a question concerning going to medical school after. If you are one of the 15-20 chosen each year to go to medical school, can you decide to pay for it yourself so then you would only need to serve 5 years for the academy afterwords? Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>At a session during the late-March CVW, they flat out told the group, if you want (and expect) to go to law school or medical school, do not come to USNA.</p>