Article of Interest

Serving a Higher Purpose
By: Bethany Hayes, 2nd Lt., United States Marine Corps

This article does not come from a fellow TYLA member. I do not have an expansive educational background, nor have I undertaken anything as mentally strenuous as law school. I am simply a United States Marine. It is my privilege to let you know of opportunities as a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps. To practice law as a Marine officer is a distinction reserved for the few who have what it takes, mentally, morally, and physically, to become a leader of Marines.

In the Marines there are about 400 judge advocates who service the legal needs of Marines and seamen on the many military installations around the country. While most judge advocates serve as  trial (prosecution) or defense counsel in the military courts-martial during their first tour, they will also have the opportunity during their career to practice law in areas as diverse as operational law, family law, environmental law, labor law, and international law. Additionally, judge advocates may argue appellate cases before the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals or the United States Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces. While most of your civilian peers are relegated to research duty, you will be acquiring litigation and courtroom experience, ensuring extraordinary professional opportunities after leaving the Marine Corps.

Salaries for judge advocates are competitive with starting civilian pay. In addition, you will have the opportunity to travel and the time to do it with 30 paid vacation days every year. You and your family will also enjoy benefits such as free medical coverage, and discounts on food, clothing, and other items at commissaries and base exchanges. If you decide to make a career of the Marine Corps, you will be entitled to generous retirement pay while you are still young enough to enjoy it- or start a second career.

Judge advocates who decide to stay in the Marine Corps after their first tour will be eligible to become staff judge advocates, where you will act as the chief legal officer to operational commanders. Judge advocates can also become the officer in charge of the Legal Services and Support Section (LSSS), overseeing and supervising other judge advocates.  For those who are interested in further education there are many fully funded and self-funded Master of Laws program opportunities available. There are also a few debt and educational incentives which include complete forgiveness of any remaining educational debt after 10 years of public service, income-based repayment of student loans, interest caps, and $45,000 in additional compensation paid in $15,000 yearly payments during the Marine officer's second tour.

As a judge advocate, you are first and foremost a Marine officer. This means that before you take on courtroom duties, you will be trained as a leader and a warrior. You will attend the same Officer Candidates School (OCS) as any other potential officer, and you will learn the duties and skills of a Marine officer at the Basic School. In addition to your legal responsibilities, you may eventually have the opportunity to serve in billets outside of the legal field, to include commanding your own unit.

The path the becoming a Marine Corps officer begins at OCS, and the journey is intentionally rigorous, designed to test and evaluate your leadership skills, academic abilities, and physical fitness. The process is both a challenging and rewarding opportunity that starts with contacting your local Officer Selection Team.

If you feel you have what it takes and are interested to take the next step please contact the Fort Worth Officer Selection Office (817) 920-7583 or visit our website marineofficer.com for more information.

2nd Lt. Bethany Hayes is stationed at Logistics Officers Course in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.