SFJAG Recruiting

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Star Fleet Judge Advocate General Corps (SFJAG)
Recruitment Guidelines


JAG Badge

REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION

The SFJAG selection process is competitive. All applications are reviewed by a Selection Board composed of experienced career SFJAG officers who recommend the best-qualified applicants for commissions. All Selection Boards are composed of genders and species from across the Federation.

To be awarded a commission in the Star Fleet Judge Advocate General's Corps, an applicant must meet all the usual qualifications for a Star Fleet officer. These include mental and physical fitness standards, moral character, security clearance, and Federation citizenship.

In addition, an applicant must have graduated from a UFP Bar Association-approved law school. Law school students may apply in the fall of their final year of studies.

Each application is submitted to a board of officers in the Office of The Judge Advocate General for consideration. The criteria for selection include scholastic record, character, extracurricular activities, leadership ability, and both legal and nonlegal work experience. Each applicant must be interviewed by an active-duty SFJAG officer who has been designated as a field screening officer. The best-qualified applicants are selected to fill projected vacancies.

Steps in the Application Process

The applicant must forward a completed application and be interviewed by an active duty SFJAG Field Screening Officer (FSO), and the candidate makes assignment preferences known to the FSO. The application and interview report are considered by a Selection Board that meets two times a year in Marseille, France (Terra).

If selected by the Board, the candidate must meet the Star Fleet's medical and other eligibility requirements and also be able to obtain a security clearance. Notification of the proposed assignment to a Star Fleet Judge Advocate office on Terra or elsewhere in the Federation occurs at least two to three months prior to the candidate's active duty report date.

THE WAYS TO A COMMISSION

Civilian Direct Appointment

Qualified individuals may be commissioned directly from civilian life, without any prior military experience. Application may be made as early as the fall semester of the last year of law school. Graduation and admission to practice before a court of a Federation Member or Protectorate World are necessary before a commission may be granted, but are not required for application.

Transfer from another military service

Active duty, Reverses and retired military personnel from other Federation Member or Protectorate Worlds may apply for transfer to, and commissioning in, the JAG Corps. They must, of course, meet all requirements for a SFJAG commission, including admission to the bar. Law students in the Reserve components may apply for a direct appointment in their last year of law school, noting their Reserve status on the application.

Star Fleet Academy Graduates

Star Fleet and Star Fleet Marine Corps graduates must apply for an educational delay for the purpose of attending law school. SFA officers on educational delay must apply for an appointment in the Judge Advocate General's Corps during the third year of law school.

Star Fleet JAG Corps Interns

The SFJAG Corps recruits up to 100 law students each summer to work as legal interns in our facilities on Terra, Vulcan and all capital Starbases throughout the Federation. Interns are billeted as temporary civil service roles for a maximum period of 90 days starting in May or June of each year. No military obligation is incurred by participating in the program, however successful interships will typically result in Official Letter of Recommendation to Star Fleet Academy .

RECRUITMENT Frequently Asked Questions

Are attorneys who Direct Commission required to take basic training?

Answer: No. However, all new Star Fleet Judge Advocates attend a two-week military orientation course at Star Fleet Academy, San Francisco (Terra), prior to going to the 10 week SFJAG basic course at The Judge Advocate General's School. The orientation course allows time for establishing personnel records, issuing replicator uniform authorizations, and receiving instruction in several basic areas of Star Fleet life. These include the wear of military uniforms, military customs and courtesy, physical fitness training, and a 2-day overnight field training exercise.

What happens at the SFJAG basic course?

Answer: After the two-week orientation, new SFJAG officers report to The Judge Advocate General's School at Marseille, France, for a ten-week academic course. The School is located on the grounds of the Aix-Marseille University, adjacent to the law school.

At the SFJAG School, new attorneys receive instruction on the organization, function, and mission of the SFJAG Corps, and an overview of the practice of law in the Star Fleet. The instruction is keyed to areas of law that will be particularly important to a new military attorney, including military criminal law, evidence, contract law, legal assistance, administrative law, and interplanetary law.

After the 10 weeks, SFJAG officers proceed to their duty assignments. While attending the SFJAG School, most students choose to live in rooms available at the University. These rooms are available only to officers (and spouses) attending the course without children. Those officers who bring their children with them to Charlottesville can contact the SFJAG School Housing Office for a list of local short-term housing options.

Do SFJAG attorneys receive any training or education beyond the basic course?

Answer: Yes, opportunities are boundless as the Final Frontier! The Star Fleet JAG School offers a wide variety of educational programs. The SFJAG School offers a program resulting in the award of an L.L.M. degree for SFJAG attorneys with six to eight years of active duty. Also, there are opportunities for advanced law degrees including:

  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
  • Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
  • Master of Federation Laws (LLM)
  • Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Where can a SFJAG Officer expect to be assigned?

Answer: Assignments for new officers will be made by the Chief of Star Fleet Operations (CSFO) on the advice of the COMJAG. SFJAG Officers must be available for assignment anywhere in the Federation including Starbases, embassies on Federation worlds, etc. While all assignments are made based on the needs of Star Fleet, applicants make their location preferences known at the time of application in writing.

Could a SFJAG officer be assigned to combat duty?

Answer: SFJAG officers are assigned to combat areas in time of war and perform legal duties there. Typically, SFJAG officers are not active combatants, but may perform some nonlegal functions.

NOTE: Currently only Legal Services Officers are billeted on Starships and only at the Battalion level and above in Star Fleet Marine units. SFJAG officers are billeted on capital Starbases and other facilities.

Works Used:

Portions of this FAQ were adapted into the ASR world from the following sources:

  • Canadian Armed Forces Judge Advocate General (JAG)
  • United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division
  • United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps

Document History:

350908 - Created by Michael Dailey