GW Law’s National Security, Cybersecurity, and Foreign Relations Law Program and the Military Law Society (MLS) co-hosted the annual Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) recruiter panel earlier this month. This year’s panel included accomplished JAGs from each military branch, including Army Captain Jordan Green, JD ‘18, Navy Lieutenant William Wahl, Marine Corps Captain Chelsea Lucas, Air Force Captain Sarah Ann Gaughan, Air Force Lieutenant Samantha Longley, and Coast Guard Lieutenant Janika Jordan.
The event provided an opportunity for GW Law students interested in serving in the JAG Corps to have their questions answered and learn more about each Service’s distinctive characteristics. Hosting a crowd of over 50 students, this year’s event was one of GW Law’s most well-attended JAG recruiter panels.
The MLS president, Jackson Head (3L and Army JAG Corps selectee), led the event and asked the panelists an array of questions about the JAG Corps. Aside from routine subjects such as why they chose the JAG Corps and physical fitness requirements, several important topics stood out. The panelists discussed employment opportunities and programs for law students and lawyers, each branch’s distinctive mission and culture, career paths for a JAG’s first tour, and the specific legal areas in which JAG officers practice.
The panelists’ responses shared several key themes. Regardless of branch, every panelist emphasized the JAG Corps’ breadth of legal fields, which include everything from family law to administrative law and national security law. Panelists specifically emphasized the camaraderie and support they received as new officers from their senior officers. They also appreciate the emphasis on physical fitness and the difference it makes compared to civilian careers. The panelists also pointed out that certain branches offer opportunities to gain experience in non-legal jobs as a JAG officer, as well as working with civilian counterparts outside of the military and US Attorneys in their assigned districts.
During the Q&A session, the panelists answered questions on legal education financing and the promotion timeline for each of the branches. They discussed the benefits of military service with regards to loan repayments and programs for current students serving in the military, in addition to benefits in areas other than education. Most of the panelists agreed that the promotion timeline for their branches is relatively quick for new officers, with longer timelines as officers advance throughout the ranks.
After the panel’s formal portion, student attendees had the opportunity to meet with and ask the panelists questions informally. This successful event emphasizes GW Law’s National Security, Cybersecurity, & Foreign Relation Law Program’s dedication to supporting students with an interest in all facets of national security law, including military law.