JAGWAR FAQs
As awareness of the Order has grown these past several months, we’ve fielded lots of questions about the JAGWAR’s mission, existential justification, mode of operation, and eligibility requirements. Here, we tackle a few of the most common concerns and inquiries.
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Q: Isn’t [the JAGWAR] redundant? There’s already an organization that caters to JAG Corps personnel.
A: Actually, there are three—and you can check out our “Partners” page for more information on each. As you’ll see, none exactly fulfill the JAGWAR’s precise objectives.
Unlike the JAGWAR, the Judge Advocate Association (JAA) is not limited to the Army, but is limited to attorneys. JAGWAR membership is open to officers and enlisted personnel alike, and recognizes the value of catering to a culture unique to the Army JAG Corps.
Unlike the JAGWAR, the Judge Advocate General's Association of Legal Paraprofessionals (JAGALP) is not limited to the Army, but is limited to paralegals. JAGALP is like the converse of the JAA—both of these organizations represent all service branches, but not every servicemember in any single branch.
Unlike the JAGWAR, the TJAGLCS Alumni Association doesn’t focus on the “Soldier first” imperative of the Army JAG Corps motto “Soldier First, Lawyer Always”. The AA supports the mission of The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS), which rightfully focuses on preparing members of the JAG Corps to be the best legal professionals they can be. The JAGWAR complements this mission by facilitating opportunities for current and former Army JAG Corps members to be the best Soldiers they can be.
In short, our sister organizations exist to enhance MOS specialization and legal knowledge, while the JAGWAR exists to augment the broad array of skills needed to be a Soldier. In this way, this “quartet” of private JAG Corps-affiliated organizations supports the preeminent “dual profession”.
Q: How does insisting on a heightened level of fitness benefit the JAG Corps as a whole?
A: The JAGWAR insists on nothing; it merely offers a place for like-minded members of the JAG Corps to challenge themselves athletically and in the development of their Soldier skills. Moreover, the JAGWAR’s standards don’t constitute a heightened level of fitness, they merely adopt the minimum standards utilized by an array of Army schools (to wit, a 40-minute 5-mile run, a 3-hour 12-mile ruck, and three rope climbs to mimic basic pull-up requirements).
In an Active Duty context, the value of the JAGWAR’s eligibility requirements is two-fold:
By inspiring Soldiers to push themselves physically, the JAGWAR contributes to the Army JAG Corps imperative (Be Ready!) by helping to prepare Soldiers for deployment and success in the spartan environments that will define future conflicts.
They help to cultivate a greater sense of solidarity between members of the JAG Corps and the commanders/Soldiers who see their attendant legal personnel exemplifying the standards they enforce!
Closer to home, membership in the JAGWAR offers JAG Corps personnel a concrete means of achieving in when assigned to lesser-resources Army installations. For example, while a Judge Advocate assigned to the 82d Airborne Division may be fortunate enough to attend the Army’s Airborne, Air Assault, and Jumpmaster Schools during the couple years s/he’s stationed at Fort Bragg, his/her counterpart at a TRADOC assignment may not be afforded such opportunities. By striving to attain JAGWAR membership—rigorously developing their athleticism and soldier skills—JAG Corps personnel at that hypothetical TRADOC installation will be better prepared for the next FORSCOM assignment.
Even in a Reserve Component or National Guard context, or among the veteran community, meeting the JAGWAR’s membership eligibility requirements constitutes a significant achievement of which members can be proud. Consider the esprit de corps associated with training for the “Triple R Induction Challenge” and the requisite Warrior Events. Few JAGCnet announcements can claim such magnitude!
Q: Isn’t the JAGWAR creating an elitist group with the Army JAG Corps?
A: We get this question a lot; it’s a strange one. Is your average high school’s “Chess Club” an elitist group within the broader adolescent community?
The JAGWAR is for enthusiasts—a means of connecting people who want to undertake Warrior Events together, to challenge themselves physically, athletically, and mentally, and who share a common perspective on what Army service entails.
While JAG Corps personnel who love Military Justice can nerd out over discussions of cases, JAG Corps personnel who relish the Soldier lifestyle now have a means of gravitating towards one another and assembling to pursue a common interest.
Q: Are the DoD civilians who work in our OSJAs eligible for JAGWAR membership? What about family members?
A: JAGWAR membership eligibility is extended to Active Duty, Reserve Component, National Guard, or veteran Soldiers who serve or served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Simply stated: only those who serve or served in uniform may attain membership in the Order.
However, we’re actively laying the foundation for a “Friends of the JAGWAR” auxiliary organization to welcome spouses, children, and DoD colleagues who wish to participate alongside JAGWAR members as they undertake any of the Warrior Events.
Q: I’m a veteran who served in the [Army] JAG Corps as a paralegal for five years, but I can’t locate any of my APFT scorecards. How do I assemble my membership application packet?
A: Individuals who no longer serve in the U.S. Army but who seek to attain membership in the JAGWAR are authorized to use APFT scorecards that date from their period of military service. In the event that those scorecards can’t be located, though, there are two ways to complete your applicant packet.
FIRST, you can Request A Sponsor who will oversee and administer an AR 350-1 compliant APFT. For veterans, only one APFT scorecard (reflecting a total score of at least 290 points) is needed.
SECOND, you can submit a written request that the APFT scorecard submission requirement be waived. List your rationale for such request, documenting whatever reasons preclude you from taking an APFT. For veterans in particular, we are highly sympathetic to the realities of age and injury.
More to Follow!
We’ll update this post with more Frequently Asked Questions and answers thereto as your feedback warrants.