If you're considering a career as an attorney serving one of the branches of the US military, or if you're a practicing attorney thinking about specializing in law for US military branches, there are solid information resources available online to help you decide if this direction is right for you.

The Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) of each service oversee the military officers who serve as attorneys for both the defense and prosecution of the law for the US military according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

US Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force JAG officers maintain their branch's line officer command status. For example, the USMC website states "We pride ourselves on being Marine officers first and attorneys second." Navy and Army JAG officers, however, only serve in legal divisions. Note that the US Army JAG School is the only law school in the US military training center with full American Bar Association accreditation.

Venues for the administration of US military law include:

1. Courts-martial or military law courts – there aren't standing brick-and-mortar venues for courts-martial. They are adversarial proceedings created by charges from a commanding officer.
2. Courts of Criminal Appeal for each US military branch, including the Army Court of Appeals, the Navy-Marine Court of Criminal Appeal, the Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
3. The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces is the next appeal venue after a case has been appealed by a military branch's Court of Criminal Appeal. Court-approved non-JAG attorneys may represent clients in this venue.
4. The United States Supreme Court is the final appeal venue for courts-martial, unless a reprieve or pardon is requested from the President of the United States.

Types of courts-martial include:

1. In a Summary Court-Martial, one Judge Advocate General officer acts as both prosecuting attorney and defense counsel in lesser offenses warranting pay-grade punishment as opposed to incarceration.
2. A Special Court-Martial consists of a military judge, defense counsel, prosecutor and a three-officer jury. The accused faces no more than one year's incarcerator and a bad conduct discharge.
3. A General Court-Martial addresses offenses requiring maximum punishment that may include death.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find US government sponsored online military law resources

Before deciding on a military law career, find out directly from the primary government sources what the law for the US military is.

I recommend: The Library of Congress has a Military Legal Resources page, an information hub for resources regarding military law. The Daily Journal offers a report of all actions of The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces on a specific date. ServiceMembers.gov is a military law information venue sponsored by the US Department of Justice. Armed Forces Legal Assistance (AFLA) website is another prime legal information resource geared to US military members, also includes a legal services locator.

Find reputable non-government sponsored online military law resources

Non-government sponsored online military law resources provide a broader scope of what the practice of law for the US military encompasses.

I recommend: Owned by Monster.com, Military.com is an online information and networking portal for U.S. military members. It offers extensive information on the military legal system. One of the major online information research databases, Westlaw offers its Military Justice on Westlaw fee-based information service. National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force provides a counterpoint to other military law information resources. American Bar Association has a Military Committee that provides family law information pertaining to US military members and their families.

Find online military law information venues with a Navy focus

Because each branch of the US military has its own court system, certain military law information may only apply to that branch of service.

I recommend: The US Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps website has a reading room that includes the full Manual for Courts-Martial (PDF) and JAG Magazine. You can also find out how to apply online to serve as a Navy JAG. NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services) is a US Navy law venue of special agents with legal backgrounds, dedicated to protecting US Navy and Marine Corps members worldwide.

Find online military law information resources with a Marine Corps and Coast Guard focus

The Naval Justice School trains officers in attorney military law for the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

I recommend: Read course descriptions and publications from the Naval Justice School (PDF). Browse Military Justice Fact Sheets from the website of the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the US Marine Corps. Find out about the United States Coast Guard and its Direct Commission Lawyer Program.

Find online military law information venues specific to the US Army JAG

The US Army JAG Corps is the oldest venue of military law and the venue with the most legal authority.

I recommend: There are several places where US Army law is practiced. Find out how to practice US Army law as a member of the US Army JAG Corps. United States Army Criminal Investigation Command consists of special agents, soldiers and civilians with military legal backgrounds. The US Army Defense Service (USATDS) is part of the US Army JAG Corps.

Find online military law information resources with an Air Force focus

The United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's School offers distance learning and resident courses in law for the US armed forces.

I recommend: The Air Force Judge Advocate General's School is located at the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. The Air War College page offers an extensive list of military law and legal links.

Specialize as a civilian attorney in military law that appeals court martial cases

Civilian attorneys specializing in law for the US military may represent defendants in front of the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the US Supreme Court.

I recommend: The North Carolina based Law Office of Glenn Gerding has a military law practice that defends members of all branches of the military service. The law firm's website offers advice on hiring civilian attorneys specializing in military laws. Virginia Beach based McCormack and Associates, a military litigation law of former JAGs, has a free legal consultation toll-free phone line. Gagne, Scherer, & Langemo gives lengthy advice on choosing a civilian military lawyer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Civilian military law attorneys may also help a defendant get a presidential pardon or reprieve.