USCG: Office of the Judge Advocate General

Security Levels

National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) check current status

Basic Qualifications for the Direct Commission Lawyer Program

Basic Qualifications...
Applicants must:

Be a U.S. Citizen.
Be over 21 and less than 40 years of age.
Meet prescribed physical standards.
Not be on active duty in the military (except USCG) at the time of commissioning.
Be a final year law student at, or graduate of (earned a J.D. from), an ABA accredited law school.
Present evidence of admission to the bar of the highest court of a state or the District of Columbia, or present evidence of application to take such a bar prior to entering the service.

Selection...

The Secretary of Homeland Security, upon recommendation, appoints the best-qualified applicants chosen by a selection panel of Coast Guard officers. Although there are no specific keys to selection, areas which are reviewed include academic performance, leadership skills, curricular and extracurricular activities, community service, legal and non-legal work experience , and current or prior military experience (if any). Applicants are also judged on the basis of their written motivational statement, letters of recommendation, character references, writing sample, and their interview with a panel of three Coast Guard officers. All applicants are judged on a whole-person concept, with the best qualified being offered appointments. Applicants are notified of selection results by letter.

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Last Modified 1/26/2012