Officers given chane to pursue legal careers Published May 25, 2011 By Capt. Virginia Mack Legal office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- If you're an officer who's ever considered a legal career, two Judge Advocate General Corps programs might be the right path for you. Applications are accepted from Jan. 1 through March 1 for the 2012 Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program. The number of applicants for the competitive FLEP and ELP programs is based on the Air Force's needs. "Our Air Force missions are constantly changing, and commanders deserve to have access to legal advisors with a broad background of military experiences," said Maj. Robert Wilder, 81st Training Wing deputy staff judge advocate. "Both FLEP and ELP ensure we can continue to maintain a corps of officers whose military experience complements their legal training and provide commanders with the highest caliber of legal support." The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for activeduty Air Force commissioned officers. Participants receive full pay, allowances and tuition. Applicants must have between two and six years active duty service, enlisted or commissioned, and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below when they begin law school. The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. ELP participants don't receive pay and allowances, but remain on active duty for retirement eligibility and benefits purposes. ELP applicants must have between two and 10 years active duty service and must be in the pay grade O- 3 or below on the first day of law school. Both programs require attendance at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, territory of the United States or a federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates. To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must complete all application forms, apply to at least one ABA accredited law school, receive their Law School Admissions Test results and interview with a Staff Judge Advocate by Feb. 15. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field. "Participating in FLEP was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made," said Capt. David Cromwell, 81st TRW assistant staff judge advocate. "However, a lot of work went into preparing my package, so individuals who are thinking about applying need to prepare now to take the LSAT or begin thinking of law schools if they want to be competitive next January." Applicants meet a selection board in early March and selections aremade based on a review of the application package using a "whole person" concept. For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag or call the legal office, 376-8601.