Join Coast Guard JAG

Become a member of the Coast Guard Judge Advocate General team!

Every day, the Coast Guard protects the environment, rescues those in peril, and disrupts attempts to subvert U.S. law. The Coast Guard is an armed service and the principal agency responsible for our maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship. A broad suite of legal authorities underpin the Coast Guard’s eleven statutory missions. CGJAG, including judge advocates, civilian counsel, reserve attorneys, and enlisted and civilian support staff, are involved in every facet of Coast Guard operations and mission support.

Are you a law student or a practicing attorney interested in serving in uniform?

Coast Guard judge advocates are commissioned officers, licensed attorneys, and leaders who support the Coast Guard and its members in a diverse range of legal practice areas every day. Licensed attorneys and law students may apply to our Direct Commission Lawyer (DCL) and Second-Year Law Student Direct Commission Lawyer (2L DCL) programs.

DIRECT COMMISSION LAWYER PROGRAMS

Application Deadlines

Summer: Estimated July 2026
- Contact a recruiter by 1 May 2026 to start your application
Winter: due 27 January 2026
- Contact a recruiter by 1 November 2025 to start your application

Are you a Coast Guard member interested becoming a judge advocate?

Selected officer and enlisted Coast Guard members can attend law school while on active duty and become a Coast Guard judge advocate after graduation.

FUNDED J.D. PROGRAM

Are you already a law student? Coast Guard members can also apply to the Direct Commission Lawyer programs.

Are you already a licensed attorney? Coast Guard officers grade O-3 and above may request to join

Are you an attorney interested in serving in uniform part-time?

Coast Guard reserve judge advocates augment active duty Coast Guard members and are Always Ready to deploy to disaster sites to provide critical on-site legal support during Coast Guard contingency operations.

RESERVE DIRECT COMMISSION LAWYER PROGRAM

Application Deadline

Summer: Estimated June 2026
- Contact a recruiter by 1 April 2026 to start your application

Are you a law student interested in learning what it means to be a Coast Guard judge advocate?

LEGAL INTERNSHIPS & EXTERNSHIPS

During a summer or semester, work alongside judge advocates and civilian attorneys, gaining valuable legal experience, the opportunity for academic credit, and greater insight into life as a Coast Guard judge advocate.

Apply now! Coast Guard Legal Internship Application Form

Application Deadlines

Summer internships: due 15 January
Spring externships: due 1 October
Fall externships: due 1 May

CIVILIAN ATTORNEYS

As a civilian in the U.S. Coast Guard, you will provide essential services in diverse legal matters. The Coast Guard recruits talented lawyers for a variety of responsibility levels. You’ll work alongside judge advocates to support the Coast Guard and its members. We also hire paralegals and support staff.

Find a Coast Guard Recruiter

Connect with a Recruiter | United States Coast Guard

Application Advice

Officer Application Guide

LinkedIn

U.S. Coast Guard Judge Advocate General | LinkedIn

Questions?

Please contact the Accessions Manager at CoastGuardDCL@uscg.mil .

Want to talk to a Coast Guard judge advocate or request a CGJAG representative at an upcoming event?

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