Legal Officer Recruiting [Merged]

[kincanucks]

Quick question, I've looked over the JAG website and I'm curious how realistic it would be to want to work in an advisory position (as an Operational Lawyer) for the majority of one's career, that is staying away from the administrative side of JAG?

Well not being a CF lawyer myself but having seen and known CF Lawyers enough I would say that is highly unlikely.

 

[ambex]

Big Foot you are absolutely correct.  I went back and checked over my post; hopefully I did not miss anything this time. 

"Thanks for the link; I will go over the site again to see if I missed anything the fist few times.

Kincanucks I have scene you around these boards and I respect your opinion because you are damn knowledgeable.

So, since an American TV show (it is American, and that quote is wrong) depicting their JAG is not a good place to look for ideas on Canada's JAG perhaps you could point out a realistic example?"

Good idea Kincanucks, I will look into that tomorrow morning.

I will check back tomorrow after work to see if anyone who is or was directly involved in the Canadian JAG has responded.  Either way I will be dropping by the recruiting center later this week, if they can’t help me no one can.

 

[sober_ruski]

The TV Drama JAG is incredibly more dramatic, something along the lines of a Few Good Men, or mabye Bud's role in the JAG series with alot less drama is closer to what actually happens. Don't expect to be shooting terrorists, at all.

Are you saying real JAG officers do not get to see Catherine Bell look alike topless? :'(

 

[Trinity]

Relaying the opinion of my practicing Family Lawyer who was for a long time a Reservist Clerk who looked into JAG as a career before deciding to do private practice. Thought my second hand knowledge may apply as a starting point to get answers going. I guess I'll refrain from posting that as well.

Well, my second cousin twice removed once knew a guy who wanted to be a JAG who had the opinion it was not like the TV show.  : :


You can comment on things if its in your field of expertise.  i.e. your current military trade, or you've experienced it
first hand (most like on more than one occasion) or are directly related to the situation.  Giving your opinion in some
threads is acceptable i.e. should the flag be raised or lowered, but in most threads opinions or unrelated or uncorroborated
conjecture is not welcome. 

 

[Zertz]

Cheers Trinity, I've had a chat with Michael O'Leary and he's cleared things up quite a bit for me as well.

 

[Centurian1985]

Legal officers have nothing to do with CSS. Actually, they have nothing to do with Combat. This should be moved to the recruiting section.

Jungle,

Ive been telling people that for years but they seem to like the TV version of 'a day in the life of a JAG' much better...

 

[chris_log]

Got a question about military lawyers, I checked the Recruiting site and it says that Legal O's are people who are already lawyers and have ben accepted to the bar in their respective province and who then join the military. However, I've heard talk that Legal O's used to be able to get their law degree via an ROTP-type program.

Are there any avenues for CF members to attend law school (full or part time) at Her Majesty's expense, or is it a 'do it yourself then come back and see us' kind of deal?

 

[Blackadder1916]

Are there any avenues for CF members to attend law school (full or part time) at Her Majesty's expense, or is it a 'do it yourself then come back and see us' kind of deal?

http://www.cfsuo.forces.gc.ca/adm/pdp-pps/ooto-occo-eng.asp

Specialist Officer Plans
The purpose of the training plans is to provide specialist officer training for selected officers of the Regular Force to prepare them to transfer to and employment in a specialist officer classification. The “M” Plans are coordinated by DMCA, under the governance of CFAO 9-62.

Eligibility. Criteria to be eligible for selection into a military training plan are specified in CFAO 9-62 as modified in the competition message.

What's open? There are five (5) “M” Plans

Military Dental Training Plan (MDTP);
Military Legal Training Plan (MLTP);
Military Medical Training Pland (MMTP);
Military Pharmacy Training Plan (MPTP); and
Military Chaplain Training Plan (MCTP).

Deadline. Competition normally opens in September with applications due in Jan for academic start later that fall. DMCA will convene selection board following the competition closing date.

 

[chris_log]

Outstanding, thanks for the link.

 

[chris_log]

Are there any Legal O's on the board (doubtful I know, but I had to ask).

 

[dapaterson]

I believe all the one we had were eventually banned...


Keep in mind that any time in training would incur obligatory service; as well, if you were a Major to take MLTP you'd revert in rank to Capt; I know one person who did that without thinking though the financial impact.

Your neighbourhood PSO can give more information on MLTP, either today or in the future.

 

[Snakedoc]

I believe all the one we had were eventually banned...


Keep in mind that any time in training would incur obligatory service; as well, if you were a Major to take MLTP you'd revert in rank to Capt; I know one person who did that without thinking though the financial impact.

Your neighbourhood PSO can give more information on MLTP, either today or in the future.

Out of curiousity, if you were already a Capt in a different MOC when you switched over to one of these specialist training programs (MLTP or MMTP), would promotion to Maj come quicker than for other legal (or medical) officers that join off the street as Captains?

 

[George Wallace]

Out of curiousity, if you were already a Capt in a different MOC when you switched over to one of these specialist training programs (MLTP or MMTP), would promotion to Maj come quicker than for other legal (or medical) officers that join off the street as Captains?

No.

 

[jp86]

I met with a PSO at CFRC Toronto a couple of weeks ago while getting my reserve application in (for a different trade).  I'm a law student and mentioned that I was interested in going RegF as a legal officer later.  He didn't mention any kind of special training plan; what he did say was that they had a lot more applicants than spots for that position right now, so they're very selective.  He also said that Legal Officer recruitment has ups and downs, so at some point they'll be struggling to fill positions again.

 

[Seonaidh]

Is there any available arrangement an applicant can make with the Forces such as join and go to Law School?

Or does one have to go to Law School on their own and then apply as a DEO after graduation?

Thanks for the input.

 

[jp86]

I don't think such an option exists - sadly for me, a law student joining the PRes.

The CFRC told me that JAG is usually looking for experienced lawyers - not people right out of law school - so it wouldn't make much sense for them to subsidize legal education.

 

[reds]

Hmmm, legal careers in the military could be interesting! I had a question to post but I had it answered elsewhere. Cheers.

 

[aesop081]

I don't see anything related to legal roles for NCMs. Shoot.

Th only trade "legal" related for NCMs is court reporter and one must be an RMS Clerk to remuster to it after meeting certain eligibility criteria.

 

[potter]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a law student and am seriously considering a career with the CF as a Legal Officer - it seems to be a very challenging, dynamic, and ultimately  fulfilling way to practice law and serve my country compared to other opportunities in the private sector. I've done some reading up on the DEO process and am aware that before I can apply to the CF, I already have to be called to the bar (which won't happen until I graduate and complete my articling in a couple years from now).

I'm looking for any advice on what a potential DEO candidate, and especially legal DEO candidate if there are any JAG officers out there, can do to prepare themselves for applying while they're still in law school (aside from of course, staying in good physical shape). Also, from what I've read, it appears the legal officer DEO recruitment process is a little bit different than some other trades; it implies there is a set of interviews/test processes, but it's unclear on how exactly it is different. If anyone has been through the process or has information about it that they'd be willing to share, I'm all ears. Thanks very much for your time.

 

[PMedMoe]

I'm afraid I can't help you much, but here's a link to the JAG website:

http://www.forces.gc.ca/jag/careers-carrieres/index-eng.asp

Also, from the recruiting website:

Legal Officers are commissioned members of the Legal Branch of the Canadian Forces, which is commanded by the Judge Advocate General (JAG). The JAG acts as legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces in matters relating to military law, and has the superintendence of the administration of military justice in the Canadian Forces.

The Office of the JAG provides the military justice system with qualified personnel (military judges, prosecution and defence counsel). It also supplies Legal Officers to CF establishments across Canada and deployed missions overseas to deliver legal services in the fields of operational law, international law, training, military personnel law, and military justice.

As a Legal Officer, your primary duty will be to practise law in the military milieu, which may include any of the following tasks:
# Providing advice on international and domestic law to the commander of a deployed force
# Providing general legal advice and services to the commanding officer of a Canadian Forces Base
# Providing advice on operational legal issues at National Defence Headquarters
# Representing clients at Court Martial and appearing before the Court Martial Appeal Court
# Representing the interests of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence as: 
# - A member of a Canadian delegation negotiating international treaties 
# - A member of the military liaison staff at an allied headquarters
# Delivering training on military law and military justice

You may also be posted to the Office of the Department of National Defence / Canadian Forces Legal Adviser, where you would work in fields such as legislative drafting, pensions, claims and administrative law. Later in your career, you could be appointed to the military bench, to serve in the independent Office of the Chief Military Judge.

As far as the application process, I have no idea why it would be different.  CFAT, medical, interview.....