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Legal education opportunities for active-duty officers

By , 5th Bomb Wing Staff Judge Advocate / Published September 09, 2008

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted Jan. 1 through March 1, 2009. Interested officers at Minot AFB are encouraged to apply.

The FLEP is a paid, legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers. 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, and positions may be limited due to overall funding availability.

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 ten years active duty service and must be in the pay grade O-3 or below as of the first day of law school.

"Our Air Force is made better by having legal professionals with a broad background of career experiences," said Lt. Col. Tom Posch, 5th Bomb Wing staff judge advocate. "The FLEP and ELP will ensure commanders will continue to receive advice from a diverse corps of officers whose military experience compliments their legal training, providing the highest caliber of legal support."

According to Colonel Posch, Air Force JAGs do more than ensure legal readiness by preparing wills and powers of attorney for deploying personnel and dependents. In addition to prosecuting and defending clients brought before courts-martial, JAG officers routinely participate in nearly every facet of the Air Force mission, including developing and acquiring weapons systems, ensuring availability of airspace and ranges where those systems are tested and operated, consulting with commanders about how those systems are employed in armed conflict and assisting commanders in the day-to-day running of military installations around the world.

Both the FLEP and ELP require attendance at an American Bar Association approved 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.

For more information about the Legal Education Program or Excess Leave Program, contact the 5th Bomb Wing Staff Judge Advocate at 723-3026.
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