tell me about the army...

If one were to go in specifically as a physician, MP, mechanic or other position, what authority does the army then have to, at the drop of a hat, decide, "well, it sure was nice having you do the job you signed on for, but we need some IED pin cushions in Iraq or someone to drive a humvee in the sand dunes...tough break, kid, but get on the next plane outta here."

I ask because I've long considered doing JAG out of law school, and, while I doubt they'd pull that sorta turnaround on someone in which they've so heavily invested, I have an opportunity to interview as a legal specialist (basically, an assistant to a JAG officer) - something that would give me both relevant experience and exposure to that specific subset of the field. I would, however, be greatly pissed off if they had me do that job for a month, and then decide they needed more bodies overseas...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BigGreen

If one were to go in specifically as a physician, MP, mechanic or other position, what authority does the army then have to, at the drop of a hat, decide, "well, it sure was nice having you do the job you signed on for, but we need some IED pin cushions in Iraq or someone to drive a humvee in the sand dunes...tough break, kid, but get on the next plane outta here."

I ask because I've long considered doing JAG out of law school, and, while I doubt they'd pull that sorta turnaround on someone in which they've so heavily invested, I have an opportunity to interview as a legal specialist (basically, an assistant to a JAG officer) - something that would give me both relevant experience and exposure to that specific subset of the field. I would, however, be greatly pissed off if they had me do that job for a month, and then decide they needed more bodies overseas...

---

Bro... i've been considering JAG too. Its my understanding that a JAG officer would not be activated in harms way. We'd basically just work within to the legal department of the military. Its really a great deal as far as money and experience is concerned.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EastCoaster

Bro... i've been considering JAG too. Its my understanding that a JAG officer would not be activated in harms way. We'd basically just work within to the legal department of the military. Its really a great deal as far as money and experience is concerned.

---

Yeah, I've yet to hear even a rumbling about an actual JAG officer being called away from that specific duty for another (they may be **** on in terms of placement from time to time, but never 'baited and switched') but my concern is that I'm looking to do a stint as a legal specialist (assistant to a JAG) and can see that, while they may leave an actual JAG officer in his or her position, they may have no qualms doing that to a simple assistant.

You're area of law wouldn't happen to be contracts would it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BigGreen

If one were to go in specifically as a physician, MP, mechanic or other position, what authority does the army then have to, at the drop of a hat, decide, "well, it sure was nice having you do the job you signed on for, but we need some IED pin cushions in Iraq or someone to drive a humvee in the sand dunes...tough break, kid, but get on the next plane outta here."

I ask because I've long considered doing JAG out of law school, and, while I doubt they'd pull that sorta turnaround on someone in which they've so heavily invested, I have an opportunity to interview as a legal specialist (basically, an assistant to a JAG officer) - something that would give me both relevant experience and exposure to that specific subset of the field. I would, however, be greatly pissed off if they had me do that job for a month, and then decide they needed more bodies overseas...

---

they can do whatever the hell they want...except for what they give you a WRITTEN agreement for. they will tell you all kinds of wonderful promises, and give you a contract that includes the easy things they promise, but make sure you read the whole thing, and that it includes EVERYTHING the recruiter promised you. if they give you a written comitment to a certain job/location whatever, they're bound to it, but what they say and what they have you sign is often very different.

even afterwards...this is the military, they own you, you're a second class citizen, without many of the civil rights you take for granted right now. they could still do whaever they wanted to you if they really needed it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MMA

they can do whatever the hell they want...except for what they give you a WRITTEN agreement for. they will tell you all kinds of wonderful promises, and give you a contract that includes the easy things they promise, but make sure you read the whole thing, and that it includes EVERYTHING the recruiter promised you. if they give you a written comitment to a certain job/location whatever, they're bound to it, but what they say and what they have you sign is often very different.

even afterwards...this is the military, they own you, you're a second class citizen, without many of the civil rights you take for granted right now. they could still do whaever they wanted to you if they really needed it.

---

Well then, I guess teachforamerica it is....

Yo Big Green-

Maybe this will help clarify things as far as legal assts. placed in harm's way...I was in a very high profile Army unit on our inaugural mission last year. A friend of mine, who was a legal assistant in my unit, was the first soldier in the Brigade to be killed by enemy contact. I don't know what else to say, but that's what happened.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ginkobulloba

Yo Big Green-

Maybe this will help clarify things as far as legal assts. placed in harm's way...I was in a very high profile Army unit on our inaugural mission last year. A friend of mine, who was a legal assistant in my unit, was the first soldier in the Brigade to be killed by enemy contact. I don't know what else to say, but that's what happened.

---

Very good to know.

DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THE ARMY SAYS!!!!!!

Every MOS is deployable. Finance, JAG, etc, etc... I was in the Army for 4 years and, trust me on this one, everything that sounds good about the Army is a lie except for:

1) Pay. You get paid all the time, regularly.
2) No rent. Even if you are broke you will not starve to death due to your bills/rent/food being paid for.
3) Friends. You meet a WIDE variety of people that you would not meet if it wasn't for the Army. In fact, I met my best friend while in the Service. Now I have to fly to another country to be his best man at his wedding... asshole... :)

If you enlist for an MOS you will get that training, however that does not
mean you will be working that MOS.....for the most part if the Army trains
in a job field then they need you in that job field.
and no matter what your MOS is everyone is a 11 bravo if needed.......

now if you are looking for something "safe"...or safer than others...
then try X-ray tech or Physical therapist........

JAG: You really dont want to work dont ya?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scriptfactory

DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THE ARMY SAYS!!!!!!

Every MOS is deployable. Finance, JAG, etc, etc... I was in the Army for 4 years and, trust me on this one, everything that sounds good about the Army is a lie except for:

1) Pay. You get paid all the time, regularly.
2) No rent. Even if you are broke you will not starve to death due to your bills/rent/food being paid for.
3) Friends. You meet a WIDE variety of people that you would not meet if it wasn't for the Army. In fact, I met my best friend while in the Service. Now I have to fly to another country to be his best man at his wedding... asshole... :)

---

the pay sucks, but if you know how to work the system, the benefits can really make it worth while. veterans status will give you prefence for an amazing variety of civil service jobs as well.

and some branches of the service are so short of doctors and lawyers they will really bend over backwards for you - i think the navy will give you a commission after only 6 weeks in a special program.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scriptfactory

DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THE ARMY SAYS!!!!!!

Every MOS is deployable. Finance, JAG, etc, etc... I was in the Army for 4 years and, trust me on this one, everything that sounds good about the Army is a lie except for:

1) Pay. You get paid all the time, regularly.
2) No rent. Even if you are broke you will not starve to death due to your bills/rent/food being paid for.
3) Friends. You meet a WIDE variety of people that you would not meet if it wasn't for the Army. In fact, I met my best friend while in the Service. Now I have to fly to another country to be his best man at his wedding... asshole... :)

---

yeah i agree with you, i was in the army for five years, and have been to 12 different countries, some nice some not, have been to iraq twice, no one is safe from iraq in the army, but they don't take you from your job to go do another job, especially if you are an officer, unless its to do something else within the unit but doesn't happen much, but the marines do do that, there motto you are an infatry soldier first, and what ever your job is second, I got out not to long ago and kinda miss it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MILPOLDAN1

yeah i agree with you, i was in the army for five years, and have been to 12 different countries, so nice some not so nice have been to iraq twice, no one is safe from iraq in the army, but they don't take you from your job to go do another job, especially if you are an officer, unless its to do something else within the unit but doesn't happen much, but the marines do do that, there motto you are an infatry soldier first, and what ever your job is second, I got out not to long ago and kinda miss it.

---

RE ENLIST BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Are you an undergrad? Have you applied to law school? What's your deal?

11 Bang Bang

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MMA

the pay sucks, but if you know how to work the system, the benefits can really make it worth while. veterans status will give you prefence for an amazing variety of civil service jobs as well.

and some branches of the service are so short of doctors and lawyers they will really bend over backwards for you - i think the navy will give you a commission after only 6 weeks in a special program.

---

The Army has a similar program. It might be eight weeks though.

They aren't going to give a guy with a law degree a rifle. The Army isn't that stupid, they have a hard enough time filling positions that aren't overly complex like aircraft maintenance.

Just remember that the recruiter is only there to get you to the MEPS Station, where you sighn the dotted line. So he / she cant promis you anything. that being said, the army will not change your MOS on you, once you sign up for it thats what you will be doing.

It is true that they are the government and can do what they want, they wont. If you enlist for jag, you'll go jag.

My oppinion is if your not Infantry....you aint s@#t!................lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikeCbrooke

Just remember that the recruiter is only there to get you to the MEPS Station, where you sighn the dotted line. So he / she cant promis you anything. that being said, the army will not change your MOS on you, once you sign up for it thats what you will be doing.

It is true that they are the government and can do what they want, they wont. If you enlist for jag, you'll go jag.

My oppinion is if your not Infantry....you aint s@#t!................lol

---

Whooaaa, Dude...you've got it all wrong, but since you're a grunt and I like you guys, I'll point you in the right direction:

If you ain't CAV, you ain't $HIT

Leave it to a scout to point you in the right direction...hey, it's my job and I don't mind helping out. :wg:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ginkobulloba

Whooaaa, Dude...you've got it all wrong, but since you're a grunt and I like you guys, I'll point you in the right direction:

If you ain't CAV, you ain't $HIT

Leave it to a scout to point you in the right direction...hey, it's my job and I don't mind helping out. :wg:

---

I almost went 19D.

If you have a law degree - become a Marine JAG officer... not Army. You need to be in good shape and physical condition... 20/20 eyes and no serious hospitalizations. Go all the way. The experience is priceless and the leadership training on top of it all would benefit your entire career - postmilitary life. I am sure they need lots of lawyers these days... but be prepared to deal with very contraversial cases...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Warrior

If you have a law degree - become a Marine JAG officer... not Army. You need to be in good shape and physical condition... 20/20 eyes and no serious hospitalizations. Go all the way. The experience is priceless and the leadership training on top of it all would benefit your entire career - postmilitary life. I am sure they need lots of lawyers these days... but be prepared to deal with very contraversial cases...

---

20/20 eyes? never heard of that one...

tell me about the army... George. :lol:
I just had to post that. Title reminds me of the book Of Mice And Men Stienbeck. Good book.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Warrior

If you have a law degree - become a Marine JAG officer... not Army. You need to be in good shape and physical condition... 20/20 eyes and no serious hospitalizations. Go all the way. The experience is priceless and the leadership training on top of it all would benefit your entire career - postmilitary life. I am sure they need lots of lawyers these days... but be prepared to deal with very contraversial cases...

---

Yeah, IOT would be a blast. Virginia, in the winter.