THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF LEGAL JOBS ON EARTH
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Who can be a Paralegal in the Air Force? Paralegals are recruited into the Air Force, both from the pool of civilian professionals and from within by retraining Airmen. The American Bar Association has certified the paralegal Community College of the Air Force degree as an accredited degree, so retrained Airmen can pursue legal careers in civilian life.
The usual course of affairs to become a paralegal at the
Paralegal Work with the Air Force
Air Force is primarily open to Airmen who seek a career change. There is no deadline, but for first-time Airmen
Paralegals within the Air Force work in the department
the requirements set by the Air Force Personnel Center
of the Judge Advocate General, and assist in providing
are as follows:
legal counsel to commanders, first sergeants and other key personnel in legal matters. The paralegal
•
Four-year enlistees need to complete their 35th
is expected to assist judge advocates (attorneys) in
month in service before applying for training as
all areas of the Air Force’s legal practice. Areas of
a paralegal, and for six-year enlistees the bar
practice include military justice, civil law, claims, legal
extends to the completion of 59 months.
assistance, operations law, contracts, environmental
•
Ability to type 25 words per minute
law and labor law.
•
Minimum AQE score of 51
•
Clean records without derogatory information
Paralegals in the Air Force may also be required to do legal research or interview witnesses and victims. In
Paralegal Training within the Air Force
the Air Force, it is not uncommon for paralegals to draft opinions, or draft other legal documents like powers of
The Air Force provides both on-the-job and classroom
attorney and wills. Paralegals also provide support in
training to aspiring paralegals. Applicant Airmen attend
accident investigations.
both basic and advanced paralegal courses and may also attend specialized legal courses. Legal courses
For Airmen, the paralegal career can be extremely
are conducted at the Judge Advocate General’s School,
satisfying. It provides far greater independence than
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
routine Airmen work and intellectual challenges for those who crave intellectual achievement.
Airmen seeking retraining as paralegals need to submit their applications to the relevant Employment section of
For those seeking a quicker way, a paralegal who fulfills
the Military Personnel Flight or contact their Law Office
the proper eligibility requirements can also be directly
Manager.
recruited from the civilian population into the Air Force Reserve or the Air National Guard as a paralegal
Paralegal training confers one of the rare avenues
specialist.
where an Airman can earn a degree and skills on the job which would help him/her achieve professional success in civilian life.
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