Judge Advocate Continuation Pay (JACP) is an incentive pay available to judge advocates. JACP in intended to alleviate the financial burden of student loan debt carried by many young judge advocates.
JACP totals $60,000 and is paid in three phases over an eligible judge advocate’s career. An officer who accepts JACP also accepts a service obligation with each payment.
Eligibility
- Is an officer of the armed forces on full-time active duty
- Is qualified and serving as a judge advocate
- Has completed the active duty service requirements
Phase I.
A payment of $30,000 is authorized for eligible judge advocates on the first anniversary date after their selection by a Career Status Board and having finished their IADSO. For example, if an officer is selected by a Career Status Board on 1 April 2005, and their IADSO is finished on 1 May 2005, they are eligible for JACP Phase I on 1 April 2006. Officers who accept this payment incur an active duty service obligation of three years. If a judge advocate is eligible for but has not yet been approved for JACP Phase I, and fails to be selected by a lieutenant commander (O4) selection board, the officer’s application for JACP Phase I will not be approved until the results of the subsequent lieutenant commander selection board are known. If the officer is selected for lieutenant commander at the subsequent lieutenant commander board, the officer’s application for JACP Phase I may be processed in accordance with this instruction. If the officer is not selected for lieutenant commander at the subsequent lieutenant commander (O4) board, the officer will not be eligible to receive JACP.
Phase II.
A payment of $15,000 is authorized for eligible judge advocates on the next anniversary date of their graduation from the NJS Basic Lawyer Class after promotion to the rank of lieutenant commander (O4) in the Regular Navy, at approximately the six to seven year mark of active service. Eligibility begins with officers who were promoted to lieutenant commander (O4) in Fiscal Year 2000 (FY-00). Officers who accept this payment incur an active duty service obligation of two years.
Phase III.
A payment of $15,000 is authorized for eligible judge advocates on the next anniversary date of their graduation from the NJS Basic Lawyer Class after completing 10 years of continuous active commissioned service as judge advocates. Eligibility begins with officers who completed their tenth year of continuous active commissioned service as judge advocates in FY-00. Officers who accept this payment incur an active duty service obligation of two years.