JAG

• Origins in the American Revolution: The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps was established by General George Washington in 1775, making it one of the oldest legal institutions in the U.S. military. • First Judge Advocate General: William Tudor was appointed as the first Judge Advocate General of the Continental Army in July 1775. • Distinct Corps Across Branches: Each branch of the U.S. military has its own JAG Corps, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, each with unique traditions and roles. • International Law Expertise: JAG officers are experts in the Law of Armed Conflict, international treaties, and military justice, often advising commanders on rules of engagement in combat zones. • Historic Trials: JAG officers played key roles in historic military tribunals, including the Nuremberg and Tokyo Trials after World War II. • Hollywood Fame: The JAG Corps inspired the long-running television series "JAG," which aired from 1995 to 2005, increasing public awareness of military law. • Non-Combatant Status: Under the Geneva Conventions, JAG officers are considered non-combatants, though they may deploy to combat zones to provide legal counsel. • Wide Legal Practice: JAGs handle a broad range of legal matters, including courts-martial, administrative law, operational law, contracts, and family law for service members. • Path to the Supreme Court: Several U.S. Supreme Court Justices, including Justice Samuel Alito, have served as JAG officers. • Women in JAG: In 1944, the Navy accepted its first female JAG officer, Lieutenant Commander Mildred McAfee Horton, paving the way for greater inclusion of women in military legal service.