Day 4

Today started as many days do, with PT.  We are still ramping up and assessing our individual physical readiness.  As such today our Platoon did Push-Ups and Sit-Ups pyramids and nice run.  The Cadre is well versed in physical training and is doing their best to make sure that everyone is improving individual fitness while also working to ensure that no one suffers injury.  Injury = bad.

The day started at 0545 and ended at 1700.  After PT the 185^thspent the day in briefings.  We welcomed the Dean of the JAG School, had a visit from the Judge Advocate Recruiting Office (JARO) as well as the Personnel, Plans and Training Office (PP&TO).

The Dean is the head of the JAG School.  Much like the Dean of any law school, he is a very important and influential person.  We covered the six (6) core disciplines dealt with by Army JAG officers – International and Operational law, Administrative and Civil law, Claims, Contract and Fiscal law, Legal Assistance and Military Justice.  An Army JAG officer can expect to work in a number of these areas over the course of his/her career.  All present unique challenges and opportunities.

We also heard a more about the things that we should and should not be doing.  Though it may seem intuitive, since even Army JAG students and officers are human, sometimes people fail to heed the advice and must be counseled.

JARO gave a number of good statistics.  If people don’t realize how special Army JAG officers are consider that out of 800+ applicants for the spring assession board, only 43 were selected.  That’s a 5% selection rate.  Those who get the honor to serve are truly a select group.  There are 1800 Active Duty Army JAG officers and roughly 2600 Reserve Component (including National Guard).  300+ are currently deployed around the world.  Last, but certainly not least, 25% of the Army JAG Corps is female.

PP&TO is an important office to any JAG officer.  PP&TO sets assignments for all Army JAGs.  Contrary to the belief of some there is a method to the assignment madness.  PP&TO doesn’t throw darts at a board, doesn’t give assignments on a first response basis, and doesn’t flip a coin.  Rather, PP&TO has the difficult task of weighing a large number of factors, not the least of which is the needs of the Army, in determining assignments.  No one said that a case of Scotch or bouquets of flowers wouldn’t help though (my humor – not really good advice).

Incentives were also a topic of our day’s briefings.  For those interested, please be aware that incentives vary by channel (Active, Reserve, National Guard).  Active Duty Army JAGs are by far the most rewarded group.  An new Active Army JAG can receive loan repayment of up to 65K, a retention bonus after four (4) years of another 60K, and currently a Critical Skills Retention Bonus of 60K after promotion to Major (O-4).  Each bonus carries another commitment, but suffice it to say that an Active Army JAG can receive 185K in bonus and incentives through their first twelve (12) years of service.

On the Reserve and National Guard side, no such loan repayment or similar incentives exist.  It was noted by more than one person that the Reserve Component gives up a lot to serve their country.  That isn’t to say that Active Duty doesn’t sacrifice (when we deploy everyone leaves the comfort of home and family), but every Reserve Component JAG officer leaves something to come to JAOBC.  Every Active Duty JAG officer is coming to something and gets additional incentives to stay.  Reserve Component gets the same initial training, but ultimately returns to their home unit.  When a Reserve Component JAG officer deploys, he/she leaves something to serve.  When a Reserve Component JAG officer remains in his/her service, he/she does so because he/she wants to serve.  Consider how impressive and selfless that is.  And there are people competing for those opportunities to serve too!  Regardless of the channel of assession, all Army JAGs sacrifice and serve, I just want to give a big shout out to the Reserve Component.

We finished our day with briefings on PT/diet and an overview of how an Army JAG office is structured and functions.

The 185^thhas only been here for four (4) days, but we have received a ton of information – and we have only just begun.