Scholarships available for Sailors interested in law careers
7/10/2009
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Officers interested in a career change can apply for scholarships via the Law Education Program (LEP) announced June 26 in NAVADMIN 190/09.

The program affords selected Department of the Navy officers the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degrees and to serve the Navy and Marine Corps as career judge advocates.

"I earned my Juris Doctor degree through the Law Education Program," said Rear Adm. James Houck, deputy Judge Advocate General (JAG) and commander, Naval Legal Service Command.

"The program was an important step in my career, and I would recommend it to any officer who wants to pursue a career in law while continuing to serve in the Navy."

Houck was selected for the LEP in 1982 and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1985.

"This is a great program for anyone who has the desire to go to law school and become a JAG," said Lt. Cmdr. Megan Smith, Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps accessions detailer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. "One of the things that make this program great is that the Navy completely funds the program, and the student remains on active duty and continues to draw a military paycheck while attending law school earning a professional degree. Once they've completed their degree, they'll get to serve in a challenging career field."

"Our Sailors and our leadership require and deserve quality legal support, and programs such as the Law Education Program are helping us build and maintain the very best legal community," said Navy Judge Advocate General Vice Adm. Bruce MacDonald, who was selected for LEP in 1984.

The Navy typically selects seven officers to attend law school each year. Candidates must be serving on active duty as a commissioned officer in pay grades O-1 to O-3 and have at least two -- and no more than six -- years of active-duty service as of their law school class convening date. Time-in-service requirements, which include time served in enlisted or officer status, are statutory and will not be waived for this program.

Candidates must already hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and be able to complete 20 years of active service as a commissioned officer prior to their 62nd birthday.

Selected officers must begin law school prior to their six-year anniversary date, and students have up to 36 months to complete their degree program. Selectees will be required to obligate for additional service at two full years for each year (or partial year) they are enrolled in the program, in addition to any other obligation that they may have previously incurred.

Upon graduation and admission to the practice of law, which in most jurisdictions includes passing the bar exam, Navy and Marine Corps officers will be designated as judge advocates. Upon completion of the Basic Lawyer Course at the Naval Justice School, they are certified as qualified and competent to perform duties as trial and defense counsel of general courts-martial. They will then be detailed to one of several large naval legal service or region legal service offices where they will be exposed to the many legal areas found in today's Navy, including: criminal, international, administrative and tort law; legal assistance; maritime law and environmental law.

"I joined the JAG Corps to continue serving my country while simultaneously pursuing my lifelong dream of practicing law," said Lt. Cmdr. Jon Stephens, an attorney in the criminal law division at the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

"Our Sailors and Marines make immeasurable sacrifices on a daily basis and consequently deserve all of the support the Navy can provide. The LEP has given me the chance to provide our Sailors and Marines legal assistance when needed, allowing them to focus on their duties. Applying for the LEP will rank as the best professional decision of my career."

Stephens served as a surface warfare officer prior to graduating from George Washington University Law School in 2005 using a LEP scholarship.

Eligible participants who desire to apply for the FY10 program must submit a letter request and application package via their commanding officer to: Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD), Voluntary Education Detachment, Attn: Code N2A2, 6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL, 32509-5204 prior to Dec. 1, 2009. Letters must include the applicant's current work mailing and e-mail addresses and contact numbers.

All applicants must ensure official college transcripts from each school attended are forwarded to CPPD. Law School Admission Test scores must be received prior to the FY-10 selection board convening in February 2010 but may be submitted by separate correspondence.

For specific guidance on the Law Education Program and application requirements, see SECNAVINST 1520.7F and NAVADMIN 190/09.