Each year the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps selects approximately 100 to 120 of the best-qualified candidates to become Air Force Judge Advocates through a variety of accession programs. This year, Katie Bries, a Drake Law 3L, received the news that she was one of these candidates.
“I spent about four weeks after my interview watching my phone and mailbox to find out if I was accepted,” she said. “Getting the call that I had been accepted was easily one of the best moments of my life!”
To begin the application process, Bries completed a very detailed application form which was followed by an interview at Offutt Air Force Base, located just outside of Omaha, NE. During the interview, Bries spoke with Offutt’s Staff Judge Advocate who forwarded her report along with Bries’ application materials to the Board in Washington D.C. that was responsible for making the final selections.
Selections to JAG are based on the “whole person” criteria which includes academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, prior military record (if any), work experience, and the interview.
Bries is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be an Air Force Judge Advocate.
“I recognize that many highly qualified applicants do not get accepted because there are just so many people applying and so few positions available,” she said. “Everything about the job appeals to me including the work, travel, and lifestyle.”
After passing the bar exam, Bries will relocate to Maxwell Air Force Base outside of Montgomery, AL for Commissioned Officer Training and the Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course. She will also participate in physical training and learn Air Force history and traditions, how to behave as an officer, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Upon completing this step, she will report to her duty station where she will practice a wide variety of legal areas including military, criminal, civil, and administrative law.
“Drake Law has definitely helped me prepare for this opportunity” said Bries. “Judge Advocates are expected to be professional and confident in the office and courtroom from day one, and I know that I can do that because of the skills that I have learned at Drake Law through internships and practicing as a student attorney with the Legal Clinic. Additionally, I have had numerous opportunities to gain the leadership experience necessary to become a JAG officer.”