Judge Advocates General (JAG Corps) JAG

The Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps traces its roots to July 29, 1775, when the Continental Congress appointed William Tudor as judge advocate of the army. Today the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard each have a Judge Advocate General, a two- or three-star officer who leads its corps of uniformed lawyers, and the Marine Corps has a Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant. Several thousand judge advocates serve, along with civilian attorneys and paralegals.

Judge advocates prosecute and defend courts-martial, serve as military judges, advise commanders on discipline, rules of engagement, and the laws of war, review targets and operations for legal problems, handle claims and contracts, and give free legal help to service members with wills, family law, and taxes. Defense lawyers report through a separate chain so commanders cannot pressure them. Many later serve as civilian judges, prosecutors, and members of Congress.

On February 21, 2025, the Secretary of Defense removed the Judge Advocates General of the Army and Air Force, and the Navy's top lawyer also left. Officials said they wanted lawyers who would not be roadblocks to lawful orders, while critics, including retired judge advocates of both parties, said removing independent legal advisers risked weakening restraints on illegal orders and the laws of war. Congress requires that each Judge Advocate General give independent legal advice to the service secretary and chief.