We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Navy JAG Corps?

M. McGee
By
Updated: Jan 25, 2024
Views: 7,231
References
Share

The Navy Judge Advocates General, or Navy JAG Corps, is the branch of the United States Navy that handles internal matters of law and legal policy. Its members, called judge advocates, do everything from assisting members of the Navy in civilian maters, such as drawing up wills or reviewing leases, to prosecuting, defending, or presiding over military trials. The Navy Jag Corps handle all matters pertaining to the Navy and the U.S. Marines, but overlapping with the JAG Corps of other service branches is not uncommon.

The Navy JAG Corps as we know it today began during the American Civil War. A court-martial case required that the Navy have official legal representation, so Nathaniel Wilson was appointed Solicitor of the Navy Department. A few years later, the U.S. Congress authorized the president to appoint a Solicitor and Naval Judge Advocate General, the precursor to the modern Navy JAG Corps. The current JAG Corps came into being in 1967 when U.S. President Lyndon Johnson established the offices and gave official ranks and responsibilities to those serving within it.

Candidates for the Navy JAG Corps have training nearly identical to American civilian lawyers. Most potential candidates progress through standard civilian law school and may apply for a JAG position at any time before, during or after school. The Navy requires different information depending on which stage the candidate is at, but the requirements are similar to many advanced job placements or internships. If the candidate has finished law school, he must have also passed the bar exam.

After receiving a position in the Navy JAG Corps, all candidates undergo a similar introduction. The candidate receives special training at one of the U.S. military’s specialized law schools. The school specifically for naval officers is the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, but it isn’t 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 in any locality or military base and is considered a full JAG officer.

As they are the main legal representatives for all levels of the Navy and Marines, members of the Navy JAG Corps have a wide range of duties. These duties generally fall into two main groups; working as defense, prosecution or judge during a court martial or advising servicemen on legal matters pertaining both to military and civilian life. While working on a court martial, the judge advocate's job is nearly identical to that of many American lawyers or judges, except they also have military laws to consider. While working with servicemen as legal counsel, they may have jobs ranging from looking over a contract to instructing people on local laws and customs.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
M. McGee
By M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences. With a background in communication-related fields, he brings strong organizational and interpersonal skills to his writing, ensuring that his work is both informative and engaging.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
M. McGee
M. McGee
Mark McGee is a skilled writer and communicator who excels in crafting content that resonates with diverse audiences....
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-the-navy-jag-corps.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.