Beginning as a humble fourteen-attorney Army Air Forces team led by the Air Judge Advocate in Washington D.C., the JAG Corps has grown to a diverse law firm of over 4,500 Total Force judge advocates, paralegals, and civilians around the world.
On June 25, 1948, Congress passed the Air Force Military Justice Act, thereby creating the Office of The Judge Advocate General. Air Force General Order #7, published on January 25, 1949, officially established The Judge Advocate General’s Department (renamed the JAG Corps in 2003). For the past seventy-five years, the JAG Corps has personified the values of wisdom, valor, and justice while executing the national security mission with integrity, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to service. Every day, Air Force legal professionals are at the forefront—advising commanders, securing justice, and shaping critical policy decisions. Beginning as a humble fourteen-attorney Army Air Forces team led by the Air Judge Advocate in Washington D.C., the JAG Corps has grown to a diverse law firm of over 4,500 Total Force judge advocates, paralegals, and civilians around the world.
The Air Force JAG Corps heritage exemplifies our deep commitment to our values. Judge advocates proved their valor early, deploying to eight Air Force bases during the Korean Conflict and advising command on the newly adopted Uniform Code of Military Justice. During the Vietnam War, 167 judge advocates served at ten air bases; three were honored with the Purple Heart Medal. Exhibiting wisdom and foresight, the JAG Corps revolutionized legal research and data automation in 1961 through the pioneering efforts of JAS. Unwavering in our commitment to justice, the JAG Corps established the first pilot Area Defense Counsel Program in 1974 to protect the rights of all Airmen. This program was innovative at the time; it later became adopted full-scale, and all other Services followed suit. The JAG Corps’ innovative mindset and commitment to justice would later lead to establishment of the premier Special Victims’ Counsel program, protecting the rights of victims and setting the standard for others.
The JAG Corps’ focus on national security was resolute in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Our legal professionals answered the call by deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other nations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility to advise on contingency operations and preserve the rule of law. Commanders relied upon their critical advice to execute missions within the bounds of the laws of war and rules of engagement, and to execute precise and ethical targeting missions. Additionally, our legal professionals were vital in facilitating humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of domestic natural disasters. Mission focused, environmental, contract, and labor practitioners ensured installations around the globe remained operational and equipped to execute daily operations. As the Department of the Air Force continues to expand its missions, the JAG Corps has been instrumental in the stand up of the United States Space Force, and critical in all facets for reoptimizing the Air and Space Forces for Great Power Competition.
Throughout the last seventy-five years, the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps has overcome challenges with a brave and innovative team approach. The JAG Corps remains the best law firm serving the world’s greatest client. Together, we head into the next era ever mindful that the world is rapidly changing. We will rise to future challenges together with wisdom, valor, and justice.
One Team.
Lieutenant General Charles L. Plummer
The Judge Advocate General
United States Air Force