Air Force accepting applications for legal education

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeffrey Biller
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Air Force's Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are accepting applications from Jan. 1 through March 1, 2010. 

The FLEP is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force officers. The ELP is an unpaid legal studies program for Air Force officers. 

Air Force Judge Advocate Generals do more than just provide legal assistance. In addition to prosecuting and defending clients brought before courts-martial, JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission. 

They are involved in developing and acquiring weapons systems and ensuring availability of airspace and ranges where those systems are tested and operated.

They consult with commanders about how those systems are employed in armed conflict and assist commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world. 

The FLEP is an assignment action, and participants receive full pay, allowances and tuition. FLEP applicants must have between two and six years active duty service, enlisted or commissioned, and be a captain or below the day they begin law school. 

The FLEP is subject to tuition limitations and positions may be limited due to overall funding availability. The Air Force Institute of Technology establishes the tuition limit yearly; approximately $16,000 is set for academic year 2010. 

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 ten years active duty service and must be a captain or below 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, territory of the United States or a federal court, candidates are eligible for designation as judge advocates. 

To be considered for FLEP or ELP, applicants must have completed all application forms, applied to at least one ABA accredited law school -- acceptance to a law school is not required at the time of application for FLEP/ELP -- received their Law School Admissions Test results, and completed a Staff Judge Advocate interview by March 1, 2010. Officers must also provide a letter of conditional release from their current career fields. Selection for both programs is competitive. 

Applications meet a selection board in early March, and selections are made based on a review of the application package using a "whole person" concept. 

Air Force Instruction 51-101, Judge Advocate Accession Program, Chapters 2 and 3, discuss the FLEP and ELP. For more information and application materials, visit http://www.airforce.com/jag, contact the Vance Legal Office at 213-7404, or contact Capt. Afsana Ahmed, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force JAG, afsana.ahmed@pentagon.af.mil, or call 1-800-JAG-USAF.