JAG Corps announces 2015 law school programs Published Jan. 5, 2015 By 81st Training Wing Legal Office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Officers interested in continuing to serve the Air Force as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps may apply to the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program through Feb. 10 at www.airforce.com/jag. Officers selected for FLEP attend law school at Air Force expense while also continuing to receive full pay, allowances, and tuition. Officers chosen for ELP are responsible for law school expenses and do not receive full pay, allowances and tuition, but they remain eligible for active-duty benefits and continue to accrue time towards retirement and promotion. Selection for these highly-competitive programs is based on a review of complete application packages with a focus on the "whole person" concept. To be considered for either program, applicants must have completed all application forms, applied to at least one law school approved by the American Bar Association (acceptance is not required at the time of application) and received their Law School Admissions Test results by Feb. 10. In addition, applicants must complete an interview with a staff judge advocate before March 1. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field. FLEP and ELP graduates possess the unique ability to draw on their military experiences when providing legal advice to commanders and other clients. JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission. They assist commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world, enable the maintenance of good order and discipline, advise on the development and acquisition of weapons systems, consult with operators and commanders on the laws of armed conflict and help to care for the people that take care of the mission. FLEP or ELP graduates provide distinct perspectives on the Air Force mission as a result of their prior career field training and experience. "I've not only witnessed the significant contributions that FLEP and ELP graduates provide to commanders, I've also benefitted from them myself," said Lt. Col. Shane Heavener, 81st Training Wing Staff Judge Advocate. "I often seek the professional opinion of fellow JAGs who are FLEP or ELP graduates because their prior military experience provides a unique perspective." Basic requirements FLEP applicants must have between two and six years active-duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below when they begin law school. The time-in-service requirements can't be waived. ELP applicants must have between two and 10years active-duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below when they begin law school. In addition, both FLEP and ELP require attendance at an ABA-approved law school. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any U.S. state territory or federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates. For more information and application materials, visit www.airforce.com/jag, and contact Capt. Nicholas Mahanic, 228-376-8601 or Capt. Megan Mallone, 1-800-JAG-USAF.