JAGC announces law school programs

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeffrey Lorek
  • 28th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted from now through March 1.

Before submitting an application, applicants must interview with the 28th Bomb Wing Staff Judge Advocate. Interviews must be scheduled with the SJA no later than Jan. 18, and will be conducted through the beginning of February.

Interested officers are encouraged to compete. The number of FLEP and ELP applicants selected in any academic year is determined based on the needs of the Air Force.

· FLEP

The FLEP, a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers, is an assignment action. Participants receive full pay, allowances and tuition. FLEP 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 as of the day they begin law school.

The FLEP is subject to tuition limitations. Positions may be limited due to overall funding availability. The Air Force Institute of Technology establishes the tuition limit. Academic year 2012 was set at approximately $16,000 per year, but this amount may change from year to year.

· ELP

The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. ELP participants do not 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 as of the first day of law school.

Both the FLEP and ELP programs require attendance at an American Bar Association accredited law school. Upon graduation and admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates.

To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must complete all of the following actions no later than Jan. 18:

(1) Complete all application forms available at the 28th BW/JA office
(2) Apply to at least one ABA accredited law school (but acceptance to law school is not required at the time of application for FLEP/ELP program)
(3) Receive their Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) results
(4) Schedule an interview with the 28th BW/JA office

Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career field. Selection for both programs is competitive.

Applications are reviewed by a selection board in March, and selections are made based on a review of the application package using a whole person concept. The total number of applicants selected for any academic year is based on the needs of the Air Force. AFI 51-101, Judge Advocate Accession Program, Chapters 2 and 3, discuss the FLEP and ELP.

For more information, application materials and forms, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, or call Capt. Jeffrey Lorek, 28th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate contracts, labor and environmental law chief, at (605) 385-2329.