The Jag Shop

[morgullord]

More than a few of us appear to have a background in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the various services, so I thought we could set up this thread for those of us who have a JAG background.

By way of starting things off, here is my JAG resume:

1978--Army JAG Basic Course (branch transferred from Infantry)
1979-81--Senior Defense Counsel, Fort McPherson
1982-87--Chief, Plans and Operations, OSJA, HQ Third US Army (USARCENT)
In 1985, I was one of the first to be given the designator for Law and Military Operations).

[tater]

morgullord said:

More than a few of us appear to have a background in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the various services, so I thought we could set up this thread for those of us who have a JAG background.

By way of starting things off, here is my JAG resume:

1978--Army JAG Basic Course (branch transferred from Infantry)
1979-81--Senior Defense Counsel, Fort McPherson
1982-87--Chief, Plans and Operations, OSJA, HQ Third US Army (USARCENT)

In 1985, I was one of the first to be given the designator for Law and Military Operations).

Wow, please tell me you made the cut or already and alj! If you have not, I ama hurtin...

[jagghagg]

Alrighty, then -

1984-2005 USAF
Six installations: McClellan (Sacramento, CA), McGuire (Browns Mill, NJ), SARPMA (Brooks Army Post, San Antonio, TX), McClellan (again), Elmendorf (Anchorage, AK), Tinker (OKC, OK) and JACL (Litigation, Washington, DC).
In between they sent me to Georgetown to get my LL.M in Labor and Employment law.
At most installations, I was the Chief Labor Lawyer - at JACL, I was the senior labor litigator in federal court for the AF.
I am currently a senior litigator for the Navy, defending TItle VII class actions in federal court.
***
Moregullord and I both have made the cut, I believe - both are interviewing for SSA.
I also have an interview with HUD.
For some reason, even though my scores and Vet Preference would suggest I should have been, I was not called to interview (with Peejay) at DOL.

[morgullord]

I am on the cert, under consideration for 4 hearing offices. I have a middling score and, due to my limited list of hearing offices, have no expectation of being hired.

[jagghagg]

morgullord said:

I have a middling score and, due to my limited list of hearing offices, have no expectation of being hired.

Stop it, Soldier - don't go the Eeyore route. You've made the cut - you know how to interview and I bet you get an offer.

[dazedandconfused]

Been an Army JAG since 1992. Time on AD, Reserves and National Guard. Deployed for GWOT in 2003. Currently Deputy Regional Defense Counsel for USAR TDS Unit. My score is the back of the pack, but I am on the register for 28 cities. Been with ODAR 3 years.

[privateatty]

morgullord:

You saw what everyone said to 3OW about them negative waves... And you don't want Pixie bearin' down on ya...

[kolekole]

Army JAG Basic Course (formerly Signal Corps) in 1983, AD 1983-89, Army Reserve JAG 1992-2007. My score is slightly below Morgullord's, with seven cities left, so am unclear what my chances are.

[morgullord]

Jagghagg is correct. I took my commissioning oath in 1972; I still hold myself to it, even though I am no longer in uniform. SSA, particularly ODAR, need those who understand the meaning of the word "duty".

By the way, there is an excellent chance that at least one of the interviewing ALJs will be a veteran.

[skibum]

I branch transfered to Army JAGC in January, 1981 from Ordnance Corps. Spent 3 1/2 years at Fort McClellan, AL, then 8 years USAR unit in metro Atlanta, while a civil litigator in private practice there; Active Guard/Reserve since 1992. Retiring soon with 20 years active federal service, 31 plus years total commissioned service. Experience primarily admin law, contracts and labor law.

[morgullord]

Skibum, I used to try cases at Fort McClellan; the last CM I did there was in the spring of 1981. I also spent a year in the MLC in Atlanta but left in September of 1982 to take a slot with HQ TUSA.

[knownuthin]

I started as an Air Force Public Affairs Officer (First to go, Last to know) before becoming a JAG through the Funded Legal Education Program. JAG experience at Barksdale AFB, LA; RAF Alconbury, UK; and Elmendorf AFB, AK before I retired in 1994. Four years of private practice that included some courts-martials at Fort Bragg. I joined OHA/ODAR in 1998. I know one of the HOCALJ interviewers is a retired Army JAG. He is scheduled to interview during the week of 1/21 and I believe the last week as well. Flexibility is the key to Air Power! Tally-Ho (the target is in sight)

[jagghagg]

"Fly, Fight, ..........Meet"

[morgullord]

I remember the old Navy saying: "There are more airplanes at the bottom of the sea than there are submarines in the sky." As told to me by a former USNA grad who works with me.

[oldjag]

1974 Army JAG basic course--last one at the "old" school on the "grounds". Chief, military law at Aberdeen, prosecutor at the USMA in 76. Prosecutor for 10 years after active duty. In reserves for several years including military judge. ALJ since early 80's. Good luck to you all.

[podar]

Army JAG Basic Course 1980, Ft. Lee and Charlottesville VA. Asst Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Infantry Division Forward, Goeppingen, Germany; Legal Counsel, Army Disability Agency, Walter Reed Annex, Forest Glen MD; Appellate Defense Attorney, Army Legal Services Agency, Falls Church VA. All OHA/ODAR since 1986.

[camedlaw]

I retired from the Navy after 21 years - grateful for the monthly stipend, the LLM and great friends and fun. Served as SJA of NAS, carrier and at medical commands; XO of a NLSO and military judge. Have been working in health law for state agency since I left active duty 10 years ago - may have some black socks left though!

[morgullord]

This is not based on hard numbers but when scores were reported it seemed to me that approximately 25% of those reporting had veteran's preference of one kind or another.

At this point I would advise you to stop obsessing about who has or does not have veteran's preference and concentrate on marketing yourself during the interview.

If SSA likes you they will do their best to make something happen for you whether or not you are a veteran. If they do not like you, they can find a way to avoid hiring you, even if you are a veteran. Remember that all that is needed to bypass a veteran is a justification. I would imagine that an adverse interview report prepared by a RCALJ and a HOCALJ would be sufficient justification.

[morgullord]

My apologies; this question, or a variation of it, has been asked several times, and I unfairly attributed at least some of them to you. I should have been ore careful; as a sign of my penitence, I have exalted you.

What is your issue with VP?

[conanthebarbarian]

Conan is JAG too! Initially commisioned 7 Oct 71, USAF OTS (Any "Medina Marines" out there?). 1981 USAR Medical Sevice Corps, 1989 branch transfer to JAG and still drilling with TPU. MRD on 1 July 08. Yahoo! Whatever will I do with all of those free weekends? Remember, "We don't need a TV show, Army JAG's the way to go!" Jagghagg, if you would kindly send me a private e-mail, I have a USAF question for you. Thanks! CTB