Judge Advocate General's Corps

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

Judge Advocate General’s Corps

Unique features of The Judge Advocate General’s Corps

Purpose. The mission of The Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC) is to provide principled

counsel and premier legal services, as committed members and leaders in the legal and Army

professions, in support of a ready, globally responsive, and regionally engaged Army. This legal support

encompasses the six core legal disciplines: administrative and civil law, military justice, international

and operational law, contract and fiscal law, legal assistance and claims.

Proponent information. TJAG is the branch proponent of the JAGC as administered through the

Office of Personnel, Plans and Training (DAJA-PT) at Office of The Judge Advocate General, 2200

Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310–2200.

Functions. The JAGC is a special branch of the Army (10 USC 3064) whose duties and functions

are discussed in AR 27–1 and FM 1–04.

(1)

The JAGC consists of the following:

(a)

General officers serving as TJAG; the Deputy Judge Advocate General; Assistant Judge

Advocate General for Military Law and Operations (AJAG/MLO); the Commander, U.S. Army Legal

Services Agency (USALSA); the Commander, The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School

(TJAGLCS); Joint Chiefs of Staff Legal Counsel when assigned from the U.S. Army JAGC; Chief Judge,

U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals (RC); Assistant Judge Advocate General for Military Law and

Operations (RC); and Special Assistant to TJAG ARNG.

(b)

Commissioned officers with a PMOS 27A or 27B who are:

(1)

In the Regular Army (RA) and appointed in the JAGC; or

(2)

Members of the USAR and assigned to the JAGC; or

(3)

Members of the Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) and assigned to

the JAGC.

(c)

Warrant officers with PMOS 270A who are certified as legal administrators and are:

(1)

In the RA and appointed in the JAGC; or

(2)

Members of the USAR and assigned to the JAGC; or

(3)

Members of the ARNGUS and assigned to the JAGC.

(d)

Enlisted Soldiers with the MOS 27D who are:

(1)

In the RA and are assigned to the JAGC; or

(2)

Members of the USAR and assigned to the JAGC; or

(3)

Members of the ARNGUS and assigned to the JAGC.

(e)

Other members of the Army assigned to the JAGC.

(2)

TJAG is the military legal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and all officers and agencies of

the Department of the Army. The TJAG possesses authority to assign and direct members of the JAGC

in the performance of their duties (10 USC 3037, Art. 6, UCMJ (codified at 10 USC 806), AR 27-1 and

AR 614-100). TJAG also recruits, selects, determines qualifications and provides legal education for

members of the JAGC. TJAG assigns all staff judge advocates (SJAs) and has final authority over all

JAGC assignments. The TJAG's frequent inspection of military legal offices in accordance with Art. 6,

UCMJ offers an opportunity to mentor JAGC leaders and monitor officer development. In the Office of

The Judge Advocate General (OTJAG), The Personnel, Plans, and Training Office (PPTO) manages the

JAGC under the supervision of TJAG, and represents TJAG in all Judge Advocate personnel proponent

matters in coordination with TJAGLCS. Personnel policies are published by TJAG in JAGC Publication

1–1.

(3)

Judge advocates are attorneys who perform their duties under commanders of their assigned

or attached commands or under supervisory judge advocates, such as the SJA; Chief, Trial Judiciary;

or the Chief, Trial Defense Service (TDS).

(a)

The JAGC officers include judge advocates and warrant officer legal administrators in the

RA, the USAR, and the ARNGUS. All JAGC officers receive technical legal supervision from TJAG and

from the SJAs of their higher headquarters.

(b)

Only judge advocates assigned to the U.S. Army TDS, or made available as an individual

defense counsel, may provide advice and assistance to Soldiers suspected, accused or convicted of

violations of the UCMJ on matters relating to those violations or suspected violations.

(4)

Although judge advocates are U.S. Army officers and Soldiers first, they should primarily

perform professional legal duties for which they are extensively trained. They normally should not be

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

assigned non-legal duties, such as officer of the day, inventory officer, range officer, FLIPL investigating

officer, casualty notification officer, casualty assistance officer, or other duties that would interfere with

or pose a conflict of interest with their primary assigned legal duties.

(5)

To ensure a diverse assignment pattern for judge advocates, TJAG is delegated waiver

authority to the force stabilization requirements.

(6)

TJAG ensures that the numbers of authorized JAGC billets, by grade, will be sufficient to

meet TJAG’s statutory responsibility to provide quality legal services to the Army.

(7)

The JAGC branch consists of two AOCs with six JAGC specific SIs and one warrant officer

MOS. Judge advocates are classified as either 27A (Judge Advocate) or 27B (Military Judge). The six

JAGC specific SIs are: 3D (Government Contract Law Specialist), 3N (International Law Specialist), and

3I, 3M, 3P, and 3T (Specialist in Military Justice). Warrant officers in the JAGC are officers classified as

270A (Legal Administrators). These officers may also hold other additional skill identifiers (ASIs).

(8)

In support of 3I, 3M, 3P, and 3T (Specialist in Military Justice), the JAGC developed four

separate graduated SIs that allows the JAGC to better train and challenge judge advocates throughout

their careers to improve their military justice proficiency. In addition to establishing basic (and in some

cases continuing) training requirements, these SIs require progressive experience in military justice and

litigation.

(a)

3I1/Code 3I—Basic Military Justice Practitioner.

(b)

3I2/Code 3M—Senior Military Justice Practitioner.

(c)

3I3/Code 3P—Expert Military Justice Practitioner.

(d)

3I4/Code 3T—Master Military Justice Practitioner.

Officer characteristics required (Active Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard of

the United States)

Characteristics required of all officers. Judge advocates are expected to possess the base

characteristics that will enable them to develop into agile and adaptive leaders. They must be grounded

in Army Values and the Warrior Ethos, competent in their core proficiencies, and broadly experienced to

operate across the full range of military operations. They must be able to operate in joint, interagency,

intergovernmental, and multinational (JIIM) environments and leverage legal capabilities beyond the

Army in achieving their objectives. Judge advocates must be culturally astute and able to use their

awareness and understanding to conduct operations innovatively and courageously to exploit

opportunities in the challenges and complexities of the operational environment. Further explanation of

these characteristics may be referenced in ADP 3–0 and DA PAM 600-3. Judge advocates should

leverage their training and educational background to help the command in operational environments.

The JAGC's officers must focus on leadership within legal offices while also understanding

the impact of legal advice upon the command's mission and operations. Leadership training is

required to be integrated into courses of instruction at TJAGLCS. The JAGC officers must remain

personally and professionally prepared to deploy worldwide at all times. Regardless of assignment, all

JAGC officers must be deployable, with their units or as individuals, to accomplish missions across the

full range of military operations, from kinetic to counterinsurgency, to stability and reconstruction. Judge

advocates must prepare themselves and their Families for this challenging lifecycle function.

Unique knowledge and skills of a judge advocate. Judge advocates must have the education,

training, and experience equal or similar to that required of other members of the legal profession (10

USC 3065(e)) to include receiving a juris doctorate from an American Bar Association accredited law

school. TJAG certifies that judge advocates may practice law in the JAGC and this certification is

required to maintain the appointment as a judge advocate. Per AR 27–1, judge advocates must be

admitted to practice and have membership in good standing (as defined by the pertinent licensing

authority) of the licensing authority of at least one jurisdiction of bar membership. Attorney conduct is

bound by the state rules of conduct in the state in which the attorney is licensed to practice law and AR

27–26.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

(1)

Judge advocates are required to maintain their good standing with their licensing authority

and provide proof of good standing when considered for primary zone of a promotion board or first time

consideration for school selection board.

(2)

Judge advocates must self-certify to TJAG their good standing status in odd numbered years.

Unique requirements for judge advocates.

(1)

Judge advocates develop themselves through progressively challenging assignments and by

continuing their military and professional education.

(2)

Continuing professional education for judge advocates. All judge advocates participate in

continuing legal education throughout their careers. This training is required by many licensing states; it

also keeps officers abreast of current legal developments. Continuing legal education consists of

training conducted by SJAs, military judges, and regional and senior defense counsel; civilian training;

and training provided at TJAGLCS. As judge advocates develop professionally and become eligible for

more senior assignments as military judges, SJAs, and deputy SJAs, they attend specialized training,

which is part of their overall professional development. Senior judge advocates may also be offered the

opportunity for specialized management training.

Active Army judge advocate development

Officer development model. The judge advocate development model is focused more on the quality

and range of experience, rather than the specific gates or assignments required to progress. See JAGC

Publication 1-1, for Judge Advocate AA developmental model. All assignments are made in the best

interests of the Army. The objective of the JAGC career developmental model is to develop, employ and

retain broadly skilled judge advocates capable of performing successfully in any core legal discipline, at

any location, in roles appropriate for their grade. Broadly skilled judge advocates provide the JAGC with

officers capable of accomplishing today’s mission and succeeding in an uncertain future. No single path

to success exists in the JAGC. Sustained superior performance in a variety of assignments that develop

and display each officer’s broadly developed skills as an attorney, manager and leader are the

foundation for success. The JAGC also recognizes its obligation to distribute talented officers

throughout the Corps: between table of distribution and allowances and table of organization and

equipment units, between CONUS and OCONUS commands, between the National Capital Region and

the field and between instructors who educate the Army and the legal advisors supporting commanders

in day-to-day operations. The JAGC’s career development, assignment, schooling, and promotion

practices reflect these interests.

(1)

Initial entry judge advocates gain branch technical and tactical skills to develop a Warrior Ethos

and gain important leadership experience in company grade assignments.

(2)

The career model highlights a need to obtain JIIM experience.

(3)

Lifelong learning, supported by civilian and military education, provides critical opportunities to

develop joint and expeditionary competencies. Expeditionary competencies are those needed by

officers in an expeditionary force - regional knowledge, cultural awareness, foreign language,

diplomacy, and statesmanship.

(4)

Flexible time lines enable judge advocates to serve longer in developmental assignments

ensuring they have adequate time to gain skills and experience and also support unit readiness and

cohesion.

(5)

The goal is to maintain a healthy, upwardly mobile career path as broadly skilled judge

advocates. Fair, candid, and open personnel management is critical to meeting the JAGC’s mission.

Personnel management will be effective only when interest in professional development is shared

among the JAGC leadership, supervisors, and individual members of the corps.

(6)

Judge advocates will compete within their career field for promotion to all ranks.

Judge advocate career.

(1)

Becoming a judge advocate.

(a)

Applicants will continue to be accessed into the branch primarily by direct commissioning.

(b)

Applications for appointment as a judge advocate come primarily from law school students,

Reserve Officer Training Command officers attending law school on an educational delay, active

members of the civilian bar, and active duty commissioned officers seeking participation in the Funded

Legal Education Program. On occasion, officers transfer to the JAGC from other branches in the Army.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

(c)

Judge advocates commissioned directly from civilian life enter active duty as RA officers. They

are awarded 18 months constructive credit for promotion for the time spent in law school. Officers who

do not qualify for appointment as captains are appointed as first lieutenants and may be eligible for

promotion to the rank of captain soon after completion of initial entry training.

(d)

The Funded Legal Education Program, authorized by 10 USC 2004 and AR 27–1, allows a

small number of active duty officers to attend law school at U.S. Government expense. The program is

available to officers with not less than 2 years or more than 6 years of total active Federal service at the

time law school begins. Officers are detailed to the JAGC but remain in their basic branch until later

appointed in or assigned to the JAGC in the rank in which they are serving.

(2)

Company grade development.

(a)

Education. All officers will attend the Direct Commission Course (DCC/BOLC A) at Fort Benning,

Georgia. This 6 week course is designed to provide judge advocates with Soldier and leadership

training to instill the Warrior Ethos and build esprit de corps. DCC also provides an environment where

judge advocates will work and train alongside each other in a tactical field setting. After completing DCC,

all judge advocates will attend the 10.5 week-long Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC/BOLC

B) at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS) in Charlottesville, Virginia.

JAOBC stresses military law and provides newly appointed judge advocates with a military law

foundation necessary to perform their duties. All newly assessed judge advocates and Funded Legal

Education Program officers will complete DCC and JAOBC. Failure to complete the course satisfactorily

will result in return to basic branch, discharge, or other appropriate action.

(b)

Assignment. Pre-graduate course assignments are key developmental milestones for new

judge advocates. Judge advocates generally develop basic technical skills and learn about the Army

during initial assignments. New judge advocates are rotated through a variety of duties in many of the

legal specialties in which judge advocates are expected to practice. The first JAGC assignment is not

normally in a state in which a judge advocate is licensed, attended law school or performed on-the-job

training (if a Funded Legal Education Program officer). These initial assignments may include, but are

not limited to, legal assistance officer, claims judge advocate, administrative law attorney, labor

counselor, contract/fiscal law attorney, operational law attorney, environmental law attorney, appellate

attorney, Joint Task Force judge advocate, Special Forces battalion judge advocate, trial counsel and

defense counsel. In these early assignments, some judge advocates will have the opportunity to

supervise other attorneys, Soldiers and civilians. Most judge advocates serve as defense counsel

before the graduate course, although first assignment judge advocates are not normally assigned to the

U.S. Army TDS directly from initial entry training.

(c)

Self-development.

(1)

Judge advocate captains must continue to develop professionally as attorneys and as

officers. This professional growth includes academic instruction by attending continuing legal

education within their licensing jurisdiction or at TJAGLCS. Judge Advocates should attend applicable

short courses at TJAGLCS, to include: Intermediate Trial Advocacy Course; legal assistance, contract

and fiscal law, operational law, administrative law and any other course designed to enable and develop

Judge Advocates and a command's mission.

(2)

Upon graduation from the Judge Advocate Basic Couse, judge advocates are enrolled in

the Judge Advocate Tactical Staff Officer Course (JATSOC) and complete the course within 12 months

of enrollment. JATSOC is designed to familiarize judge advocates with the staff officer skills necessary

to function effectively as part of a tactical-level staff. It consists of approximately 20 hours of online, self-

guided instruction and includes eight lessons: Army Doctrine, the Military Decision Making Process,

Operational Terms and Graphics, Army Organizations, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield, Joint

Operations, Military Briefings and Brigade Combat Team staff.

(3)

Judge advocates should also dedicate time to professional study to gain enhanced

perspective on operational, legal, and leadership lessons.

Desired experience. Varied experience across all the core legal disciplines at diverse locations produces

broadly skilled judge advocates who can deploy in support of combat operations and provides judge

advocates with a foundation for the Judge Advocate Graduate Course

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

(3)

Major development

(a)

Education. The centerpiece of junior officer professional development is attendance at the 10-

month Judge Advocate Graduate Course. Judge advocates are selected to attend the Judge Advocate

Graduate Course upon selection for promotion to major or earlier if officers’ career time-lines allow for

attendance as a senior captain. The Judge Advocate Graduate Course educates career judge

advocates in all areas of military law, legal communications and management. The course prepares

officers for middle and senior grade positions and also provides an opportunity to develop specialized

knowledge and skills. The Judge Advocate Graduate Course is accredited by the American Bar

Association as a graduate legal education program and is statutorily empowered to award the only

graduate law degree (LL.M.) in military law in the United States. Officers incur a 2 year active duty

service obligation upon completion of the Judge Advocate Graduate Course and normally serve a 2

year utilization tour. The Judge Advocate Graduate Course fulfills the role of the CCC and the Branch-

Specific Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Qualification Course required of basic branch officers. The

course serves as the Advanced Operations and Warfighting Course portion of the military education

level (MEL) ILE requirement. After completion of the Graduate Course and ILE, judge advocates will

be joint professional military education (JPME I) qualified. All judge advocates must go before the ILE

Advanced Operations Course selection board that convenes approximately 15 months after the Judge

Advocate Graduate Course and may compete in the ILE Advanced Operations Course selection

board the second and third year after the Judge Advocate Graduate Course. The board results from

the Command and General Staff College Board determines which judge advocates will attend

Command and General Staff College (in residence at Fort Leavenworth). These board results also

determine which judge advocates will have the opportunity to attend advanced civil schooling to obtain

a LL.M., based on the needs of the Army, in constitutional, criminal, tax or international law, health

sciences, environmental law or cyber-related issues. Selectees for Command and General Staff

College and civil schooling to obtain an LL.M. will then serve a two-year utilization tour. Major Judge

Advocates not attending Command and General Staff College and those selected for the LL.M

program will attend ILE at a satellite location.

(b)

Key, developmental, and broadening assignments. Following the graduate course, officers are

assigned to field grade positions. Judge Advocates may develop specialized subject matter expertise;

however, they remain generalists capable of performing the broad spectrum of legal operations. Some

focus on specific legal disciplines such as military justice, or contract and fiscal law. Judge advocates

also receive significant opportunities for leadership and management. Judge advocate majors can

expect to serve as brigade judge advocates, senior defense counsel, special victim prosecutors,

branch and division chiefs in large legal offices, OICs of branch offices, command judge advocates of

non-GCMCA commands, instructors at TJAGLCS, Command and General Staff College or at West

Point, or as staff and trial attorneys in the litigating divisions in Washington, DC, other defense and

U.S. Government agencies, or in the OTJAG.

(c)

Self-development. Judge advocate majors must continue to develop professionally as

attorneys and officers. This professional growth includes academic instruction by attending continuing

legal education within their licensing jurisdiction or at TJAGLCS. Majors should also dedicate time to

professional study to gain an enhanced perspective on operational, legal, and leadership lessons.

(d)

Desired experience. As a major in the JAGC, TJAG expects these officers to be the trusted

command counsel at a brigade, to be mid-level leaders, to attain higher levels of Army and JIIM legal

expertise, to be practitioners in specialized areas and to be instructors at various DOD institutions.

(4)

Lieutenant Colonel Development.

(a)

Education. Senior lieutenant colonel judge advocates become eligible for selection to attend

resident SSC or the Army War College Distance Education Program. Numerous officers attend the

U.S. Army War College, The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy,

National War College, Naval War College and the Department of Justice Fellowship each year.

(b)

Assignment. Lieutenant colonels have the opportunity to serve in more specialized

assignments and in senior leadership positions. Judge advocate lieutenant colonels have their first

opportunity to serve as military judges, regional defense counsel or SJAs. They also serve as branch

and division chiefs in the largest unit and agency offices including the Office of the Judge Advocate,

United States Army Legal Services Agency and the National Capital Region.

(c)

Self-development. Judge advocate lieutenant colonels must continue to develop

professionally as attorneys and officers. This professional growth includes academic instruction by

attending continuing legal education within their licensing jurisdiction or at TJAGLCS. Lieutenant

colonels should also dedicate time to professional study to gain an enhanced perspective on

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

operational, legal, and leadership lessons.

(d)

Desired experience. JAGC lieutenant colonels are assigned in highly complex practice areas

and lead junior judge advocates, enlisted paralegals and civilian professionals. Lieutenant colonels

serve as advisors to senior leaders and are exposed to the highest levels of DA, DOD, and the

legislative processes.

(5)

Colonel development.

(a)

Education. Most colonels remain eligible for selection to attend resident SSC or the Army

War College Distance Education Program. Numerous JAGC officers attend the U.S. Army War College,

The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National War College,

Naval War College and the Department of Justice Fellowship each year.

(b)

Assignment. Judge advocate colonels are senior trial and appellate military judges; SJAs at

installations, divisions, corps, ASCCs, ACOMs, DRUs, or combatant commands; division chiefs in the

OTJAG and the USALSA, and dean and center director at TJAGLCS.

(c)

Self-development. Judge advocate colonels must continue to develop professionally as

attorneys and officers. This professional growth includes academic instruction by attending continuing

legal education within their licensing jurisdiction or at TJAGLCS. Colonels should also dedicate time to

professional study to gain an enhanced perspective on operational, legal, and leadership lessons. Staff

judge advocate positions require MEL ILE and attendance at the Staff Judge Advocate Course at

TJAGLCS. The MEL ILE is obtained by completing an Army ILE course or equivalent. Lieutenant colonel

SJAs and colonels serving as division and corps SJAs will normally be assigned for a two-year tour.

Colonels otherwise serving as SJAs will normally be assigned for a two or three-year tour.

(d)

Desired experience. Colonels comprise the senior leadership of the JAGC and are the senior

counsel to the leaders of the Army and DOD. These senior judge advocates occupy leadership

positions on division and higher echelon staffs that require a thorough knowledge of strategy and the art

and science of developing and using instruments of national power. Current operations mandate our

senior judge advocates be thoroughly versed and familiar with strategic thinking. Judge advocates at all

levels, from the Joint Chiefs of Staff down through the brigade, assist in, advise on, and review the

preparation and execution of plans crucial to success in all operations.

(6)

Judge advocate positions. Assignments in CONUS are normally a maximum of 3 years; however,

the need to staff all legal offices properly and to develop the careers of all judge advocates effectively

may require shorter or longer tours. Tour lengths for OCONUS assignments are outlined in AR 614–30.

(7)

Joint assignments. After selection for promotion to major, judge advocates may be considered

for joint duty assignments in organizations worldwide, including the Office of the Chairman of the Joint

Chiefs, the Joint Staff, and the combatant commands. Joint experience is important to the Army. Due to

the limited number of joint assignments available, judge advocates are not precluded from advancing

into senior leadership positions because they are not titled “Joint Qualified” (see 10 USC

619a(b)(3)(C)). Based on the breadth of JAGC assignments, from lieutenant to colonel, judge

advocates develop expertise relevant to operating in a joint environment. Judge advocates

serving in nominative positions as either legal advisors or SJAs will normally be assigned for 3 year

tours.

(8)

TDS assignments. Assignments to TDS positions are career developing and consistent with the

JAGC Career Model.

(9)

Brigade judge advocates (BJA), Special Forces group judge advocates, and the Ranger Regiment

judge advocate. Majors assigned to an O6 command operate under a brigade commander and as part

of a staff with whom they have a habitual relationship. The legal team generally includes a BJA, a trial

counsel, a senior paralegal NCO, and others as assigned.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

The BJA serves a critical role to providing expert and timely legal advice to commanders and staff.

Similarly, group judge advocates and the Ranger Regiment judge advocate operate under the

command of an O6 commander and as part of the staff. The groups and the Ranger Regiment legal

teams typically include a unit judge advocate, a senior paralegal NCO and others as assigned. TCs are

typically assigned to each battalion echelon in these two formations.

(10)

Military judges. Military judge positions require completion of the Military Judge Course at

TJAGLCS and the Judge Advocate Officer Graduate Course. Officers selected for military judge

positions will be scheduled to attend the next scheduled Military Judge Course, unless already certified

as a military judge.

(11)

TJAGLCS. TJAGLCS is the home of the Regiment and is the cornerstone of the JAGC’s

training, education and operational force management. Because the health of the JAGC is contingent

on an intellectually vibrant institution that is in touch with the field’s needs, the assignment of quality,

experienced officers and NCOs to TJAGLCS faculty and staff is a high priority.

(12)

Other assignments. Judge advocates may be assigned to organizations and duties beyond

those indicated above. These assignments encompass a significant range of operations, which may

include duty with the Department of Justice, the Department of State, and the White House. Many of

these assignments are characterized as highly responsible and important, requiring mature, skilled and

well-grounded officers. Assignments contained in subparagraphs 3a (5), above and this paragraph are

collectively known as JIIM assignments. Judge advocates do not serve in branch/FA generalist

assignments.

(13)

Other Army training for judge advocates. Judge advocates are Soldiers, officers and lawyers.

They participate in broad officer training programs including the BOLC, ILE, the Advanced Operations

and Warfighting Course, and SSC. JAGC officers are encouraged to participate, as their primary legal

mission schedule permits, in their unit’s military training operations and in specialized training such as

combat lifesaver, combatives, airborne and air assault training. Participation in additional unit training or

Soldier skills development provides judge advocates exposure to the Army’s missions and to enhance

their primary role of advising commanders on legal issues.

(14)

Advanced civilian schooling. TJAG selects a limited number of judge advocates annually to

attend civilian institutions for 1 year at Government expense to obtain advanced legal education in

specialized areas. This schooling complements the training at TJAGLCS.

Judge Advocate Warrant Officer (Legal Administrator) characteristics required (Active Army,

U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard of the United States)

Unique knowledge and skills of Legal Administrators. As strategic planners and tactical managers,

Legal Administrators are JAGC Warrant Officers that anticipate changes in the military climate,

instituting changes to ensure the JAGC can support the Army’s mission to win in a complex world.

(1)

Leadership role. JAGC Warrant Officers must be highly motivated, possessing tact, initiative,

integrity and mature judgment. JAGC Warrant Officers are leaders, mentors, trainers, and technical and

warfighting experts within their organizations. JAGC Warrant Officers serve as the Chief of the

Operations and Administrative Division. JAGC Warrant Officers are principal members of the formal

legal office leadership team who take an active role in preparing, planning, and managing military

legal operations in garrison and operational environments.

(2)

Expertise. JAGC Warrant Officers must have education, training and experience in legal

operations, human resources, budget, security, project management, information and knowledge

management, and the JAGC Core Legal disciplines (Military Justice, Administrative and Civil Law,

International and Operational Law, Claims, Contract and Fiscal Law, and Legal Assistance) and apply

their knowledge and expertise across the full spectrum of legal operations in any environment - including

in garrison and while deployed. JAGC Warrant Officers are the system administrators and technical

experts for all JAGC specific applications, hardware, and facilities. (Reference DA Pam 611–21 for

additional information duties and responsibilities). JAGC Warrant Officers provide key and essential

services in their core competencies: Knowledge Management, Personnel Management, Security

Management, Logistics Management, and Resource Management, which enable the effective

execution of the JAGC Core Legal Disciplines for the Army.

(a)

Legal Systems Integration and Innovation. Performs information management and

systems integration, including protection of government information and attorney-client privileged

information and attorney work product. Analyzes legal systems and processes and advises senior

leader on quality assurance and internal control measures. Develops requirements and plans and

mitigates risk. Facilitates AC/RC integration and partnership opportunities. Leads change with staff

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

coordination and synchronization including Operations Research Systems Analyst and internal review

activities. Manages facilities, technology, and logistics in support of legal operations in garrison and

deployed environments across the full spectrum of operations.

(b)

Knowledge Management. Assesses legal organization knowledge and performance and

designs and leads development of solutions to knowledge gaps. Leads pilot/experimentation and

change management initiatives. Performs quality control and quality assurance activities in support of

legal operations.

(c)

Legal Personnel Management. Manages all aspects of training and continuing legal

education, certification, administration, and readiness of personnel serving in a legal office. Manages

the special legal personnel and organizational programs. Coordinates historian and protocol activities.

Serves as adjutants or assistant adjutants in legal operations detachments and serves a Board Recorder

in administrative separation boards (RC only).

(d)

Security Management. Serves as security manager for assigned legal organizations.

Responsible for all security requirements in accordance with applicable regulations including: physical

security, information security, personnel security, communications security and anti- terrorism/force

protection. Provides Operations Security oversight and plans Continuity of Operations. Coordinates with

military agencies for proper physical, information, and personnel security in high-profile courts-martial

cases.

(e)

Force Management. Provides force management subject matter expertise by analyzing

and monitoring manpower requirements and current and projected authorizations for legal support.

Prepares manpower plans and coordinates force management documentation. Resources manning

documents.

(f)

Resource Management. Provides comprehensive management of all budgetary

resources by determining budgetary requirements, procuring funding, planning and managing budgets,

planning and executing contracts (including expert witnesses), and executing budgets in support of

legal operations and special programs (including contracts, witness travel, and special victim’s counsel

program). Serves as claims investigating officer or Foreign Claims Commission in deployed

environments.

Certification. TJAG certifies that JAGC Warrant Officers may perform legal administrator duties in

the JAGC and this certification is required to maintain the appointment with a PMOS 270A. See DA

Pam 611–21.

Active Army, judge advocate warrant officer development

Warrant Officer development model. The JAGC Warrant Officer Development model is focused

more on the quality and range of experience, rather than the specific gates or assignments required to

progress. See Figure 1 for the Active Army, judge advocate warrant officer career development and

utilization model. All assignments are made in the best interests of the Army. The objective of the JAGC

Warrant Officer Career developmental model is to build an expert, flexible force by balancing the

needs of the Army, professional development, personal and Family needs, and personal preferences in

every assignment. TJAG’s goals are to develop every warrant officer professionally, ensure diversity of

assignments, and provide opportunities for management, leadership and education. No single path to

success exists in the JAGC. Sustained superior performance in a variety of assignments that develop

and display officers’ skills as Soldiers, managers, and leaders are the guarantors of success. The

JAGC relies on JAGC Warrant Officers as experts and systems managers for the duration of their

careers. Designed to provide career-long continuity to legal office operations, they may also serve in

key positions within the JAGC such as OTJAG, TJAGLCS, and USALSA. These additional

assignments provide opportunities for acquiring and developing additional skills in project and

knowledge management, JAGC specific software application development, force management and

training development.

(1)

JAGC Warrant Officers are accessed from the JAGC enlisted corps (27D) through a board

process. Soldiers serving in MOS 27D with between 5 and 12 years of service who have excelled in a

variety of JAGC positions are optimal candidates for accession. The Army’s goal is to access these

Soldiers between 5 and 8 years of service to maximize the amount of time they may serve prior to

retirement. A waiver from the DCS, G–1 is required for Soldiers with over 12 years of service. Soldiers

should refer to the annual accessions memo for updated accession requirements and waiver

information.

(2)

After successful completion of the WOCS and before attendance at the Legal Administrator

WOBC, WO1s are assigned to OSJAs at their duty stations or first Legal Administrator assignments,

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

where they are paired with experienced JAGC Warrant Officers to help mentor individuals for WOBC

and future duties as Legal Administrators (currently only available to RA warrant officers).

Utilization.

(1)

Warrant Officer One/Chief Warrant Officer Two. Should be utilized in operational assignments

to develop and gain valuable experience in operational management of legal offices. The first

assignment should allow JAGC Warrant Officers an opportunity to develop their technical skills and

officer proficiencies. JAGC Warrant Officers should continue their self-development, professional

reading and pursuit of educational goals.

(2)

Warrant Officer Three/Chief Warrant Officer Four. At this point in warrant officers’ careers, the

model highlights their need to gain a broader understanding of their MOS. Nominative assignments are

sought at this development stage. Warrant officers should continue their self-development, professional

reading and pursuit of civilian educational goals. Senior JAGC Warrant Officers should continue to be

utilized in operational assignments and positions of greater responsibility to continue to expand their

knowledge and skills. Warrant officers at this development stage should seek assignments that will

increase their value to the JAGC and the Army. JAGC Warrant Officers should continue their self-

development, professional reading, and pursuit of the next civilian educational goals. Senior JAGC

Warrant Officers should serve as role models and mentors for junior warrant officers by assisting them

in developing their skills. Senior JAGC Warrant Officers also develop more specific skills and

experiences to qualify for senior positions.

(3)

Chief Warrant Officer Five. Capstone achievement for all JAGC Warrant Officers. Once

JAGC Warrant Officers attain this rank they should be assigned to nominative or joint, interagency,

intergovernmental, or special assignments. Lifelong learning, supported by civilian and military

education, provides critical opportunities to develop joint and expeditionary competencies. Master

JAGC Warrant Officers should serve as role models and mentors for junior and senior warrant officers,

by assisting them in developing their skills. CW5s utilize all of their skills, abilities and talents at the

most challenging assignments. Flexible timelines enable master warrant officers to serve longer in

developmental assignments ensuring warrant officers have adequate time to gain skills and experience

and also support unit readiness and cohesion.

Length of tour. Warrant Officers will ordinarily complete the minimum months assigned on station

as prescribed in AR 614–30 before being reassigned; however mission requirements may require

earlier departure from an assignment. Reassignments are based on the need to maintain an OCONUS

rotational base, satisfy requirements for special qualifications, and provide for career progression.

Promotion time line. RA WO1’s are promoted to CW2 after 2 years in grade on the

recommendation of the first lieutenant colonel in the chain of command. All other warrant officers, CW2

through CW5, are normally considered for promotion to the next higher rank by a DA promotion board,

first below the zone and then in the zone depending on DA published zones of consideration prior to

each promotion board. Warrant officers, upon promotion to CW2, are commissioned and appointed into

the RA.

Assignments. The Chief Warrant Officer of the Corps (CWOC) manages the assignments of

RA Legal Administrators in coordination with the JAGC’s PPTO.

Law Office Management Course/ Law Office Management Masters Course.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

Judge advocate warrant officers (RA, USAR, and ARNG), depending on grade/rank should attend either

the Law Office Management Course, or the Law Office Management Masters Course annually. The

courses focus on developments in technical management and mid and senior level management of

Office of the Staff Judge Advocate administration, management, operations, and support services.

WO1 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Complete all prerequisite MOS related distance learning courses prior to attendance at the

WOBC.

(b)

Must successfully complete the JAGC WOBC. The JAGC WOBC is a resident course

conducted at TJAGCLS for all newly appointed WO1s (AA, USAR, and ARNG). All newly appointed

WO1s must attend and complete this course and prerequisite studies that prepare the JAGC’s Warrant

Officers for assignment as a Legal Administrator. Upon completion, JAGC Warrant Officers are

certified, per DA Pam 611–21, and awarded the MOS 270A, Legal Administrator.

(2)

Assignment. See paragraph 5a (2).

(3)

Self-development. Continue attending resident and nonresident short courses that are offered

at TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at law office administration, and

emerging business practices conferences. Pursue courses toward bachelors and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Critical skills and knowledge to be an effective leader, mentor, and

manager of an Army legal office.

CW2 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Must meet the qualifications in paragraph 5g (1).

(b)

All JAGC Warrant Officers must complete the prerequisite studies (Action Officer

Development Course (131–P00) and the Judge Advocate Tactical Staff Officer Course) and prerequisite

MOS related DL courses prior to attendance at the WOAC.

(c)

Attend the Warrant Officer Advanced Course. The WOAC is a resident course conducted

at TJAGLCS. It provides officers continued leadership, tactical, and technical training needed to serve in

Corps, Army, and Department of the Army level positions. CW2s are authorized to attend WOAC and

attendance will be managed through the CWOC or designated representatives. Graduates of the

WOAC receive the designation of MEL WOAC.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 1, for AC judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model.

(3)

Self-development. Continue to take resident and nonresident short courses offered at

TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at law office administration, and

emerging business practices conferences. Pursue courses toward bachelors and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Possess the critical skills and knowledge to be an effective leader,

mentor, and manager of an Army legal office.

CW3 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Must meet the qualifications in paragraph 5h.

(b)

Attend Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE). WOILE is a resident

course conducted at the Warrant Officer Career College. It focuses on the staff officer and leadership

skills needed to serve in the rank of CW4 at battalion and higher levels. CW3s are authorized to attend

WOILE, and JAGC Warrant Officers are encouraged to attend prior to promotion to CW4. Graduates of

the WOILE receive the designation of MEL WOILE.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 1, for RA judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model.

(3)

Self-development. Continue attending resident and nonresident short courses offered at

TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at law office administration, and

emerging business practices conferences. Pursue courses toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Possess the critical kills and knowledge to be an effective leader, mentor, and

manager of an Army legal office.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

CW4 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 5i.

(b)

Attend Warrant Officer Senior Service Education (WOSSE). The WOSSE is a resident

course conducted at the Warrant Officer Career College which focuses on a broader Army level

perspective required for assignment to CW5 level positions. CW4s are authorized to attend and are

encouraged to attend prior to promotion to CW5. Graduates of the WOSSE receive the designation of

MEL WOSSE.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 1, for AC judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model.

(3)

Self-development. Continue attending resident and nonresident short courses offered at

TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at law office administration, and

emerging business practices conferences. Pursue courses towards masters and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Senior-level technician and tactical expert on legal operations and has

the skills and knowledge to serve at all levels within the JAGC.

CW5 development.

(1)

Education. Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 5j.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. CW5 JAGC Warrant Officers should be

assigned to the most senior supervisory, advisory, and staff positions in OTJAG, the USALSA,

TJAGLCS, or other special assignments when a specific need exists within the JAGC mission.

(3)

Self-development. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at law office

administration, and emerging business practices conferences. Pursue courses towards masters and

higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Master-level technician and tactical expert within the JAGC for legal

operations. Technical, functional, and branch systems integrator, trainer and leader.

Other assignments. JAGC Warrant Officers may be assigned to organizations and duties beyond

those indicated above. These assignments include duties in Joint organizations, Army Staff or

Secretariat positions, the Warrant Officer Career College, and recruiting positions. The assignments can

be characterized as highly responsible and important, requiring mature, well-rounded, and multi-skilled

officers. RA (CW3 and above) JAGC Warrant Officers may be selected by TJAG for degree completion

programs.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

Figure 1: Judge Advocate (AC) Warrant Officer Career Development and Utilization Model

Reserve Component judge advocate development

General. Judge advocates serve in both the USAR and the ARNG. TJAG exercises technical

supervision of USAR JAGC officers not on the active duty list. PPTO assists TJAG by developing policy

and providing technical assistance in the career management of USAR judge advocate officers. TJAG,

with the assistance of the National Guard Special Advisor to TJAG, through the Chief, NGB, also

provides technical assistance to the respective State AG for the career management of ARNG judge

advocates. In general, qualifications and professional development are similar to RA judge advocates.

All judge advocate assignments are made upon the recommendation of TJAG (Article 6, UCMJ, and 10

USC 806).

RC judge advocate career development.

(1)

Professional development objectives are:

(a)

Develop officers with the professional attributes and capabilities to meet the mobilization

and warfighting needs of the Army, and in the case of ARNG judge advocates, to meet the additional

civil and defense needs of the states and territories.

(b)

Develop officers in the quantity and skill sets required to meet the functional

requirements of the Army in mobilization, and in the case of ARNG judge advocates, to meet the

additional requirements of the states and territories.

(c)

Develop officers with technical, managerial and administrative skills to serve in positions

of increasing responsibility in the JAGC.

(2)

Company grade development.

(a)

Assignments. Company grade judge advocate assignments allow officers an opportunity

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

to develop as military lawyers, Soldiers and officers. Company grade officers are exposed to a wide

variety of experiences. The Army understands that at the same time judge advocates are learning their

military craft, they are engaged in a full-time civilian career; however, high standards of Army

participation and performance are still required.

(1)

Company grade judge advocates are assigned to junior positions, including

operational l aw judge advocate or trial counsel for a brigade, legal operations detachment team

member or assistant team chief, defense counsel, and various other positions (legal assistance,

administrative and civil law, trial counsel) within staff and command judge advocate offices and

sections. Judge advocates with less than four years’ experience will normally not be assigned to

positions where they are the sole or senior judge advocate.

(2)

On rare occasions, company grade judge advocates are assigned to Drilling

Individual Mobilization Augmentee (DIMA) positions. Supervisors of DIMA judge advocates should

provide training in military legal requirements and exposure to Soldier experiences. When possible,

supervisory judge advocates should coordinate pairing up of new judge advocates with a platoon leader

of a local line unit for a 1 or 2 day orientation on life as a Soldier. Supervisors should counsel junior

officers on their legal abilities, Soldiering skills and leadership. Junior DIMA judge advocates should

occasionally drill, at least part of the year, with a TPU in their home area.

(3)

Non-JAGC assignments are generally discouraged for judge advocates; however,

exceptions may be approved in rare circumstances where the non-JAGC assignments may be

beneficial to the JAGC and the individual judge advocate. Such assignments must broaden the

individual’s perspective concerning the mission of the Army and enhance a judge advocate’s ability to

perform at a higher-level position later in his or her career. TJAG approves all requests for non-JAGC

assignments, for a period not exceed 2 years.

(4)

Company grade judge advocates should not be assigned to the individual ready

reserve (IRR) except in unusual circumstances. Appointment of new judge advocates should be fixed to

an authorization in a unit or a DIMA position. Company grade judge advocates should avoid spending

greater than 24 months in the IRR.

(b)

Education. All RC judge advocates will attend the Direct Commission Course (DCC) at Fort

Benning, Georgia. This 6-week course is designed to provide judge advocates with Soldier and

leadership training to instill the Warrior Ethos and build esprit de corps. DCC also provides an

environment where judge advocates will work and train alongside each other in a tactical field setting.

After completing DCC, all RC judge advocates will attend the 10.5 week-long Judge Advocate Officer

Basic Course (JAOBC/BOLC B) at the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS)

in Charlottesville, Virginia. JAOBC/BOLC B stresses military law and provides newly appointed judge

advocates with a military law foundation necessary to perform their duties. All newly assessed judge

advocates will complete DCC and JAOBC/BOLC B. Failure to complete the course satisfactorily will

result in return to basic branch, discharge, or other appropriate action.

(3)

Major development.

(a)

Assignments. Judge advocates usually have at least seven years commissioned service

when promoted to major. This rank is a mid-level grade with opportunities to supervise other judge

advocates. Judge advocate majors should serve as role models and mentors for junior judge advocates,

assisting them in developing their skills. This career phase is also a time to develop more specific skills

and experiences to qualify for senior JAGC positions. RC JAGC majors should seek assignments as

division-level deputy SJAs, legal operations detachment team chiefs, brigade-level command judge

advocates, senior defense counsel, and General Officer Command (GOCOM) staff or command judge

advocates or section chiefs. These assignments should follow developmental unit or DIMA

experiences relating to the type of law practiced by the unit.

(b)

Education.

(1)

The JAGC Officer Advanced Course (JAOAC) is designed to provide a working

knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of field grade judge advocates. This course is the

nonresident version of the Judge Advocate Graduate Course. This course serves as branch

qualification for officers to serve in field grade judge advocate positions. Completion of the course is a

prerequisite for promotion to Major. The JAOAC consists of two legal subject phases. Phase I is a

correspondence phase. Phase II is a 2-week resident phase taught at TJAGLCS. This course should be

taken between the second and fifth years of commissioned Service as a judge advocate.

(2)

ILE is the means by which the Army ensures universal MEL ILE/JPME 1 qualification

among Majors in the AA and RCs to develop familiarity with employment of multiservice and

multinational forces used in Joint and combined arms operations; to develop basic knowledge of the

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

joint operations planning process; and to create awareness of DOD requirements as well as individual

Service capabilities and requirements. While some RC judge advocates may be selected to attend ILE

in residence at Fort Leavenworth, KS, most will complete the requirement through a combination of

distance education and two-week tours of active duty for training through TASS.

(4)

Lieutenant colonel Development. Judge advocates usually have at least 14 years of

commissioned service when promoted to lieutenant colonel. This career phase is the beginning of

senior-level assignments and performance expectations. Lieutenant colonels possess the legal

expertise, Soldier skills and confidence to communicate effectively with senior Army commanders.

Lieutenant colonels serve as role models and mentors for junior judge advocates, counseling and

assisting them in developing their skills and careers. Lieutenant colonels compete for principal tenured

judge advocate positions, such as division SJA, GOCOM SJA (lieutenant colonel), regional defense

counsel or military judge (lieutenant colonel). The degree to which a judge advocate is competitive for

these assignments is a function of prior developmental assignments and consistent performance as

reflected on their evaluations. Developmental assignments for division SJA and GOCOM SJA

(lieutenant colonel) may include the following:

(a)

Unit officers. Deputy or section chief within an SJA office, legal operations detachment

team chief, brigade-level command judge advocate, regional defense counsel and military judge

(lieutenant colonel).

(b)

DIMA. SJA or deputy SJA and TJAGLCS professor or staff.

(5)

Colonel development.

(a)

Assignments. Judge advocates usually have at least 19 years of commissioned Service

when promoted to colonel. For the majority of judge advocates, this career phase is their most senior

level of service to the Army. This career phase is a period of full utilization of the officer’s talents,

experience and training. Colonels interact effectively with senior Army commanders. Colonels lead,

discipline, teach, and develop the field grade judge advocates under their technical and command

supervision. Colonels, through training and experience, have prepared themselves for maxi- mum use

of their skills, abilities and talents as GOCOM staff judge advocates, legal operations detachment

commanders, state judge advocates and senior military judges. TJAG approves all colonel

assignments. Prior assignments that offer the experience necessary to succeed at some of these

assignments are listed below.

(1)

To succeed as a GOCOM SJA or state judge advocate, officers should serve in the

following:

(a)

Unit officers. Division SJA, GOCOM SJA, legal operations detachment commander or

military judge.

(b)

DIMA. GOCOM SJA (lieutenant colonel or colonel) or deputy SJA (lieutenant

colonel) or TJAGLCS professor or staff (lieutenant colonel).

(2)

To succeed as a legal operations detachment commander, officers should serve in

the following:

(a)

Unit officers. Division SJA, GOCOM SJA, legal operations detachment section

chief or military judge.

(b)

DIMA. GOCOM SJA or deputy SJA of a major command.

(3)

To succeed as a senior military judge, officers should serve in the following:

(a)

Unit officers. Military judge (lieutenant colonel), legal operations detachment

commander, regional defense counsel.

(b)

DIMA. USACCA (lieutenant colonel or colonel), TDS (lieutenant colonel or

colonel) or TJAGLCS instructor in criminal law (lieutenant colonel or colonel).

(b)

Education.

(1)

SSC. The Army War College is a SSC designed to prepare officers for duty as

Commanders and staff officers at the highest echelons. The course is not a prerequisite for promotion,

but enhances any officer’s ability to perform at the highest level. The Army War College Distance

Education Course is a 2 year distance education program consisting of home study and there are two 2-

week resident phases at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Selection for this course is by a centralized

board convened by HRC.

This course is the only distance education course that the Army recognizes as MEL SSC producing.

Completion of the course should occur between the 21st and 26th year of service.

(2)

Continuing legal education. Each year TJAGLCS offers specialized continuing legal

education courses at Charlottesville, VA and at various locations around the world. Taught by

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

TJAGLCS faculty, these courses provide an essential update in a particular field of law. RC judge

advocates are required to attend this training to maintain their basic professional competence as military

lawyers. Individuals may apply for TJAGLCS resident continuing legal education training that varies in

length from three days to three weeks. These courses provide practice oriented continuing legal

education for military attorneys. TJAGLCS also provides weekend, on-site continuing legal education

training at selected CONUS and O CO N US Army sites. Judge advocates should attend at least one

continuing legal education course each year.

(c)

The Military Judge Course. The purpose of the Military Judge Course is to provide military

attorneys with advanced schooling to qualify them to perform duties as military judges at courts martial.

This course is a 3-week course taught at TJAGLCS. The Chief Trial Judge, U.S. Army Trial Judiciary,

selects Army officers for attendance.

(6)

Career development model. See JAGC Publication 1-1 for Reserve Component Judge

Advocate career model.

Reserve Component (RC), judge advocate warrant officer development

General. Judge advocate warrant officers serve in the USAR and the ARNG. TJAG exercises

technical supervision of USAR judge advocate warrant officers not on the active duty list. CWOC in

coordination with PPTO assists TJAG by developing policy and providing technical assistance in the

career management of USAR warrant officers. TJAG, with the assistance of the National Guard Special

Advisor to TJAG, through the Chief, NGB, also provides technical assistance to the respective State AG

for the career management of ARNG judge advocate warrant officers. In general, qualifications and

professional development are similar to AA judge advocate warrant officers (see para 5).

RC judge advocate warrant officer career development.

(1)

Professional development objectives are as follows:

(a)

Development of judge advocate warrant officers with the professional attributes and

capabilities to meet the mobilization and warfighting needs of the Army, and in the case of ARNG judge

advocate warrant officers, meet the additional civil and defense needs of the states and territories.

(b)

Development of judge advocate warrant officers in the numbers and skills to meet the

functional requirements of the Army in partial, or total mobilization, and in the case of ARNG judge

advocate warrant officers, to meet the additional requirements of the states and territories.

(c)

Development of judge advocate warrant officers with technical, managerial and

administrative skills to serve in positions of increasing responsibility in the JAGC.

(2)

Utilization (see Figure 2, for RC judge advocate warrant officer career development and

utilization model).

(a)

Warrant Officer One/Chief Warrant Officer Two. JAGC Warrant Officers are utilized in

operational assignments to develop and gain valuable experience in operational management of legal

offices. JAGC Warrant Officers should continue their self-development, professional reading, and

pursuit of educational goals. The first assignment provides JAGC Warrant Officers an opportunity to

develop their technical skills and officer development. JAGC RC Warrant Officers should seek training

and mobilization opportunities to partner with their AC counterparts to develop the AC/RC working

relationship and to enhance and broaden the skills for the officer.

(b)

Chief Warrant Officer Three/Chief Warrant Officer Four. Senior JAGC Warrant Officers

continue to be utilized in operational assignments and positions of greater responsibility to expand their

knowledge and skills. Senior JAGC Warrant Officers seek assignments that will increase their value to

the JAGC and the Army. JAGC Warrant Officers should continue their self-development, professional

reading, and pursuit of the next civilian educational goals. Senior JAGC Warrant Officers should serve

as role models and mentors for junior warrant officers, by assisting them in developing their skills. This

career phase is also a time to develop more specific skills and experiences to qualify for senior

positions.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

(c)

Chief Warrant Officer Five. Capstone achievement for all JAGC Warrant Officers. Once

JAGC Warrant Officers attain this rank they should be assigned to nominative, joint, interagency,

intergovernmental, or special assignments. Lifelong learning, supported by civilian and military

education, provides critical opportunities to develop joint and expeditionary competencies. Senior

JAGC Warrant Officers should serve as role models and mentors for junior warrant officers, by assisting

them in developing their skills. At this career phase, CW5s are fully utilized through their highly

developed skills, abilities and talents at the most challenging assignments.

Promotion time line. The USAR and ARNG JAGC Warrant Officers must complete all prerequisite

levels of military education applicable to JAGC Warrant Officers prior to selection to the next higher

rank. For USAR warrant officer promotions, see AR 135–155. For ARNG promotions, see NGR 600–

101.

Assignments. RC judge advocate warrant officers should seek assignments commensurate with

their grade alignment as set forth in the Judge Advocate (RC) Warrant Officer Career Development &

Utilization Model located in JAGC Publication 1-1 and reproduced in Figure 2 below. The CWOC

manages the assignments of DIMAs and USAR AGRs in coordination with the United States Army Legal

Command, USARC. HRC and PPTO–RC. The USARC Senior Legal Administrator manages the

assignments of USAR JAGC Warrant Officers in coordination with the CWOC and the JAGC’s PPTO–

RC. Pursuant to NGR 600–101, ARNG legal administrator assignments are managed by the respective

state commands subject to prior certification by the CWOC that the applicant is eligible for entry into

MOS 270A. Any assignment, utilization or actions against CW5 billets, must be coordinated with the

CWOC for TJAG consideration.

WO1 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Complete all prerequisite MOS related DL courses prior to attendance at the WOBC.

(b)

Must successfully complete the Legal Administrator WOBC within 2 years of appointment.

The WOBC is a resident course conducted at TJAGCLS for all newly appointed WO1s (RA, USAR, and

ARNG). All newly appointed WO1s must attend and complete this course and prerequisite studies that

prepare the JAGC’s warrant officers for assignments as JAGC Warrant Officers. Upon completion,

warrant officers are certified as per DA Pam 611–21 and awarded the MOS 270A, Legal Administrator.

(c)

All Judge advocate warrant officers should attend the annual Legal Administrators Course

which focuses on new developments in technical management and mid-level management of Army

Staff Judge Advocate Office administration, operations, and support services.

(2)

Assignment. See JAGC Publication 1-1, for Legal Administrator development and utilization.

(3)

Self-development. Attend resident and nonresident short courses that are offered at

TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at legal technology conferences. Pursue

courses towards bachelors and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Critical skills and knowledge to be an effective leader, mentor, and

manager of an Army legal office.

CW2 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 7e (1).

(b)

All Judge advocate warrant officers must complete the prerequisite studies (Action Officer

Development Course (131–P00), the Judge Advocate Tactical Staff Officer Course, and prerequisite

MOS related DL courses prior to attendance at the WOAC.

(c)

Attend the Warrant Officer Advanced Course. The WOAC is a resident course conducted

at TJAGLCS. It provides officers continued leadership, tactical, and technical training needed to serve

in Corps, Army, and Department of the Army level positions. CW2s are authorized to attend WOAC and

attendance will be managed through the CWOC or designated representatives. Graduates of the

WOAC receive the designation of MEL WOAC.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 2, for RC judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model.

(3)

Self-development. Continue to attend resident and nonresident short courses that are offered

at TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at legal technology conferences.

Pursue courses towards and bachelors and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Have the critical skills and knowledge to be an effective leader, mentor,

and manager of an Army legal office.

CW3 development.

(1)

Education.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

(a)

Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 7f.

(b)

Attend the Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE). The WOILE is a 4-

week resident course conducted at the Warrant Officer Career College which focuses on the staff officer

and leadership skills needed to serve in the rank of CW4 at battalion and higher levels. CW3s are

authorized to attend WOILE and JAGC Warrant Officers are encouraged to attend prior to promotion to

CW4. Successful completion of WOSC is an ARNG requirement for promotion to CW4. For USAR

warrant officers, successful completion will be a requirement for promotion to CW4 and CW5.

Graduates of the WOSC receive the designation of MEL WOILE.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 2, for RC judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model.

(3)

Self-development. Continue to attend resident and nonresident short courses that are offered

at TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at legal technology conferences.

Pursue courses towards bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Have the critical skills and knowledge to be an effective leader, mentor,

and manager of an Army legal office. Be ready to serve in positions of greater responsibility.

CW4 development.

(1)

Education.

(a)

Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 7g.

(b)

Attend Warrant Officer Senior Service Education (WOSSE). The WOSSE is a resident

course conducted at the Warrant Officer Career College which focuses on a broader Army level

perspective required for assignment to CW5 level positions. CW4s are authorized to attend and are

encouraged to attend prior to promotion to CW5. The ARNGUS CW4 JAGC Warrant Officers being

assigned to a W5 duty position must comply with the promotion and military education requirements of

National Guard Regulation (NGR) 600–101, prior to promotion. Graduates of the WOSSE receive the

designation of MEL WOSSE.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. See Figure 2, for RC judge advocate warrant

officer career development and utilization model

(3)

Self-development. Continue to attend resident and nonresident short courses that are offered

at TJAGLCS. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at legal technology conferences.

Pursue courses toward masters and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Senior-level technician and tactical expert on legal operations and has the

skills and knowledge to serve at all levels within the JAGC.

CW5 development.

(1)

Education. Must meet the qualifications above in paragraph 7h.

(2)

Developmental and broadening assignments. The CW5 judge advocate warrant officers

should be assigned to the most senior supervisory, advisory, and staff positions in USAR and ARNG

senior warrant officer positions or other special assignments when there is a specific need within the

JAGC.

(3)

Self-development. Seek educational opportunities in the civilian sector at legal technology

conferences. Pursue courses towards masters and higher level degrees.

(4)

Desired experience. Master-level technician and tactical expert within the JAGC for legal

operations. Technical, functional, and branch systems integrator, trainer and leader.

(5)

Other assignments. In addition to the normal assignments that USAR and ARNG legal

administrator may be assigned to (see JAGC Publication 1-1), USAR and ARNG JAGC Warrant

Officers can be assigned to organizations and duties beyond those indicated. These assignments

include duties in Joint organizations, Army Staff or Secretariat positions, the Warrant Officer Career

College, and recruiting positions. The assignments can be characterized as highly responsible and

important, requiring mature, well-rounded, and multi-skilled officers.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps – 27 February 2019

Figure 2: Judge Advocate (RC) Warrant Officer Career Development and Utilization Model