I'm considering joining the military after high school and am really interested in legal work. Can someone explain what a military paralegal does and what the typical responsibilities are?
A military paralegal, also known as a legal specialist in some branches of the military, performs many similar tasks to their counterparts in the civilian sector, but within the context of military law.
1. Legal Assistance: You would help legal officers prepare for court cases by assisting in legal research and gathering evidence for court proceedings. This might involve drafting legal documents and organizing case files. You may also help write legal opinions, wills, or separation decrees.
2. Military Law: To help military personnel and their families, you would provide advice and guidance on issues such as personal civil legal affairs, including family law, estate law, rental agreements, and tax filings.
3. Courts-Martial: In the event of a court-martial, (the military's version of a criminal trial), a military paralegal may assist in the prosecution or defense. This could involve managing evidence, preparing witnesses, and managing trial exhibits.
4. Administrative Law: Military paralegals also deal with military-specific instances of law. This may involve drafting reports, reviewing board proceedings, conducting legal research for military law queries, and providing legal clerical support.
Remember, joining the military shouldn't be merely seen as a way to become a paralegal. Basic training and other aspects of military life are difficult and demanding. Seek out as much information as possible about military life and talk to service members or veterans who can give you firsthand accounts of their experiences to make an informed decision.
You can also look into becoming a JAG officer, which is a military lawyer if you are interested in law and planning on studying it in college or grad school. This position provides legal advice to military personnel and represents them in military court.
In any case, a career in the military can provide an avenue for you to combine an interest in law with a desire to serve the country. It offers a unique way to put legal skills to use in a context that can have a significant impact on the individuals involved.
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