Join Coast Guard JAG

How to become a member of the Coast Guard Judge Advocate General Team

CGJAG offers four employment opportunities to join our team:

- Direct Commission Lawyer (DCL) Program - Work as a full-time, active duty, Coast Guard judge advocate

- Direct Commission Lawyer Selected Reserve (DCl-SELRES DCL) Program - Serve as a lawyer in the CG Reserves

- Academic Year Externships and Summer Internships

1) Direct Commission Lawyer (DCL) Program

General Description:

Coast Guard Direct Commission Lawyers (DCLs) are commissioned officers and licensed attorneys qualified to represent the Coast Guard and its members in military legal matters encompassing a diverse range of legal practice areas. Being a part of the CGJAG offers you the opportunity to serve the United States as a leader, an officer, and an attorney. All DCLs enter the Coast Guard and commission as Lieutenants (O-3), which is the highest rank of any entry-level attorney in the military (all other services commission their judge advocates as either O-1s or O-2s).

DCL Selection Panels are held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

Eligibility Requirements:

- Both third-year law students (3Ls) and licensed attorneys may apply to the DCL program. Interested second-year law students (2Ls) are advised to begin the application process now in order to submit an application at the start of their 3L fall semester.

- 21-41 years of age

- U.S. Citizenship

- Eligible for a SECRET Clearance

- Must pass a commissioning physical (MEPS)

- Financially Responsible

How to Apply:

To speak with the CGJAG Program Manager, please email CoastGuardDCL@uscg.mil or call (202) 372-3822. To start the DCL application process please contact your local recruiting office, they can be found on GoCoastGuard.com

For more information: 2024 DCL Advertisement.

FAQ DCL and DCL-SELRES Program

2) Direct Commission Lawyer Selected Reserve (DCL SELRES) Program

General Description:

Those selected for the DCL-SELSRES program enter the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Judge Advocate Program (RJAG). RJAG’s purpose is to deliver operationally capable and readily deployable personnel to provide legal support during disaster response and other contingency operations. In the past few years, RJAG members have mobilized repeatedly to provide legal services during contingency operations – most notably during the 2017 hurricane season where twenty percent of the RJAG workforce deployed. Aside from the above situations, and consistent with other reserve members of the military, RJAG personnel drill one weekend each month and two weeks each year.

All individuals selected for the DCL-SELRES program enter the Coast Guard and commission as O-2s, Lieutenant (junior grade). DCL-SELRES selection panels are held once a year, either in the spring.

Eligibility Requirements:

- Only licensed attorneys who are graduates from an ABA-accredited law school may apply to the DCL-SELRES program.

- 21-40 years of age

- U.S. Citizenship

- Eligible for a SECRET Clearance

- Must pass a commissioning physical (MEPS)

- Financially Responsible

How to Apply:

For more information: DCL-SELRES Advertisement

3) Academic Year Externships and Summer Internships

General Description:

CGJAG Externs and Interns work alongside active duty Coast Guard Judge Advocates and civilian attorneys within the Coast Guard legal community. The program provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the U.S. Coast Guard and its legal community, while gaining insight on its Direct Commission Lawyer process. Interns must complete a security background check. Externships/internship locations include: Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. or various U.S. Coast Guard legal field offices throughout the country, including: Boston, MA; Portsmouth, VA; Norfolk, VA; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Cleveland, OH; Alameda, CA; New London, CT; Cape May, NJ; Seattle, WA; Honolulu, HI; Charleston, SC or Juneau, AK). Please note, openings at field offices other than Washington, DC, are not guaranteed and subject to office availability.

CGJAG offers internships and externships throughout the academic year. All internship and externship positions are unpaid; however, participants may receive academic credit if supported by their law school.

Eligibility Requirements:

Internships and externships are open to all law students, 1Ls-3Ls.

Students applying as 1Ls during a fall or spring semester must be permitted by their respective JD program to participate.

CGJAG interns and externs must be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited JD program and be familiar with Westlaw/Lexis-Nexis.

How to Apply:

To apply for a CGJAG externship/internship, please email to your application to CoastGuardDCL@uscg.mil. Your application will consist of a:

1) Cover letter (which must specify your preferred office location. If interested in several locations, please list them in rank order);

2) Resume;

3) Unofficial transcript (If applying as a 1L, you send in your transcript separately after 1L fall semester grades released);

4) Letter of Recommendation from either a law school professor or previous professional experience; and

5) Legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages.

For specific application deadlines and more information, please see:

-CGJAG Legal Externship/Internship Advertisement

4) Civilian Attorney Positions

As a civilian in the U.S. Coast Guard, You will provide essential services in diverse legal matters.

For those interested in joining CGJAG as a civilian attorney, please find any open opportunities https://dhs.usajobs.gov/

Any and all further questions may be directed to our CGJAG Accessions Team by email at: CoastGuardDCL@uscg.mil or phone at: (202) 372-3822.