Yes, all Marine Judge Advocates must be commissioned officers. There are several paths to earn a commission. Contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for more information.
Marine Judge Advocates
LEARN TO LEAD AS A JUDGE ADVOCATE
Marine Judge Advocates are not average attorneys. They are responsible for upholding the law and core values of the Marine Corps. They undergo Marine training, which means they have the specialized knowledge and values unique to both Marine Officers and attorneys.
Marine Judge Advocates are licensed attorneys who serve as commissioned Marine Officers, providing legal counsel to the Marine Corps. Serving as a Marine Judge Advocate is different from being a private attorney or an attorney in another service.
Unlike private sector attorneys, Marine Judge Advocates are licensed military lawyers who take responsibility for caseloads immediately in their first tour. With the assistance of supervisory Judge Advocate mentors, new attorneys can immediately begin practicing law in the fields of criminal litigation, institutional compliance, government ethics, administrative law, and operational law.
Marine Judge Advocates are unrestricted officers, meaning they can serve in various leadership positions open to Marine Officers in other occupational fields, for example, serving as an operations officer, executive officer, or Commanding Officer.
WHY SERVE AS A MARINE JUDGE ADVOCATE?
Advantages to serving as a Marine Judge Advocate include the privilege of leading Marines and the ability to advance your knowledge and expertise through criminal litigation experience across diverse legal portfolios early in your law career.
Very few lawyers in the private sector get exposure to such variety and hands-on experience so early in their careers. In addition to hands-on legal experience, the Marine Corps offers opportunities for Judge Advocates to deepen their expertise by obtaining a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) and attending training courses at professional legal institutions throughout the United States. More than one third of our Judge Advocates attend these courses each year.
STEPS TO BECOME A MARINE JUDGE ADVOCATE
To become a Marine Judge Advocate, you must earn an ABA-accredited law degree, pass the bar exam, and meet Marine Corps commissioning and physical requirements. Current law students complete officer training through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), while graduates attend the Officer Candidate Course (OCC).
STEP 1
MEET THE MARINE CORPS BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Those pursuing service as Marine Judge Advocates must first meet the basic commissioning requirements for Marine Officers, which include:
- US citizenship
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Be at least 20 years old
- Physically fit with no major health issues
Additional requirements for law candidates include:
- 150+ on the LSAT (waiverable for exceptional applicants)
- Currently attending or graduated from an ABA-accredited law school
Think you meet our basic requirements? Contact an Officer Selection Officer (OSO) to get started developing a package for board selection.
STEP 2
EARN YOUR COMMISSION
Marine Judge Advocates are both Marine Officers and attorneys. There are several paths to earn an officer's commission, including Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) and the Officer Candidate Course (OCC).
Most candidates are screened for an officer's commission at Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Both bar-certified attorneys and law school students are eligible. This challenging training environment evaluates candidates for the physical resilience, character, and mindset necessary to lead Marines.
If they overcome the physical and mental challenges of Officer Candidates School, they accept an officer's commission and with it the privilege of leading Marines. After commissioning, bar-certified lawyers will remain in Quantico to complete The Basic School (TBS).
For law students, the path is slightly different. Law students return to law school and complete their juris doctorate. During the summer when they are not taking classes, these Marine Officers may have the opportunity to intern with Marine Judge Advocates. They may also have the opportunity to serve as an intern during their pre-, post-bar, and pre-TBS timeframe.
Upon bar certification they report to The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
STEP 3
LEARN TO LEAD
At The Basic School, second lieutenants learn the duties and skills of a Marine Officer in a classroom setting and through practical application. This six-month training program may be deferred for up to one year while completing a judicial clerkship or LLM.
STEP 4
LEARN MILITARY LAW
After completing The Basic School, prospective Marine Judge Advocates attend the Naval Justice School (NJS) in Newport, Rhode Island, where they learn the fundamental principles of military justice, civil and administrative law, and procedure.
STEP 5
RECEIVE YOUR ASSIGNMENT
After completing TBS and Naval Justice School, newly designated Judge Advocates receive orders to their first duty station, where they begin practicing law immediately in roles such as Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel, or Legal Assistance Attorney.
MARINE CORPS LAW OPPORTUNITIES
Marine Judge Advocates practice law across diverse areas throughout their careers. These areas include:
FAQ
To pursue a commission and serve as a Marine Judge Advocate, you must first meet the Marine Corps’ general and physical requirements. There are additional requirements you must meet to qualify to serve in the Marine Corps "Judge Advocate" Division once you become a Marine Officer, including a 150 or higher on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). There are some waivers available for this requirement for exceptional applicants.
Applicants must also hold a juris doctor (a professional law degree) from an ABA-accredited law school or currently attend an ABA-accredited law school.
To become a Marine Judge Advocate, you must complete Officer Candidates School (OCS), The Basic School (TBS), and Naval Justice School (NJS). Marine Judge Advocates are Marine Officers first, attorneys second. Before you can pursue service as a Marine Judge Advocate, you must first commission as a Marine Officer. There are several commissioning paths. Most applicants, called candidates, are screened and evaluated to become Marine Officers at Officer Candidates School (OCS) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
After completing TBS, prospective Marine Judge Advocates attend the Naval Justice School (NJS) in Newport, Rhode Island, where they learn the fundamental principles of military justice, civil and administrative law, and procedure. Contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for more information about training requirements.
Marine Judge Advocates rotate to different duty stations every three to five years and serve all over the world, including Japan, Korea, Germany, California, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North and South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Maryland. Contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for more information about duty stations for Marine Judge Advocates.
Marine Judge Advocates receive hands-on legal experience from the moment they are assigned their first duty station. Unlike private sector attorneys, Marine Judge Advocates take responsibility for caseloads immediately in their first tour. With the assistance of supervisory Judge Advocate mentors, new attorneys immediately begin practicing law in the fields of criminal litigation, institutional compliance, government ethics and administrative law.
The Marine Corps also offers opportunities for Judge Advocates to deepen their expertise by obtaining a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) and to attend training courses at professional legal institutions throughout the United States. More than one third of Marine Judge Advocates attend these courses each year. Contact a Marine Officer Selection Officer (OSO) for more information about opportunities for career advancement within the Marine Judge Advocate Division.