One-Year College Program (OYCP)

General Information

The One-Year College Program (OYCP) is a one-year Air Force ROTC program for law students. OYCP students are guaranteed a position as an Air Force judge advocate upon successful completion of the AFROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, completion of legal licensing requirements including admission to practice law in the highest court of any state, a territory of the United States, or a federal court, and medical qualification.

Eligibility

Law students in their second year of law school are eligible to apply. Applicants must (1) be attending an ABA-approved law school which has, or is located near, an AFROTC detachment, (2) be in good academic standing, and (3) meet AFROTC entry standards, such as U.S. citizenship, Air Force Officer Qualification Test minimum scores, and AFROTC weight and medical standards. The selectees for this program must be under age 35 at the time of commissioning.

Application

Applications are available by clicking on Brochure and Application on this website or may be obtained from HQ USAF/JAX by calling 1-800-JAG-USAF.

Applicants must provide the following documents in their application:

    •    Judge Advocate Information Form
    •    Full-Length Photograph
    •    Motivational Statement (limited to 1 page, double-spaced)
    •    Resumé
    •    Letter(s) of Recommendation (Optional - up to 5 letters)
    •    Application for Appointment (AF Form 24)
    •    Drug Abuse Certificate (AF Form 2030)
    •    Explanation of Drug Use (if applicable)
    •    Assignment Preference Sheet (AF Form 1760)
    •    Statement of Understanding (AF Form 1758)
    •    Writing Sample (Optional - 10 pages or less)
    •    Indication of Application to ROTC Detachment
    •    DD Form 214 (if prior military)
    •    Officer Performance Reports or Enlisted Performance Reports (if applicable)
    •    Law School Transcripts and LSAT Percentile
    •    Undergraduate Transcripts

As part of this program, applicants must contact their local AFROTC Detachment (where the applicant plans to receive training) during their second year of law school. The applicant should ensure the detachment is willing to enroll them as a cadet if The Judge Advocate General selects them for the OYCP and if otherwise eligible. In their application, applicants should include a letter from the ROTC detachment indicating that the applicant has met with the detachment personnel in preparation for applying to the JAG board. A list of ROTC detachments can be found at http://www.afrotc.com/colleges/detLocator.php.

Upon completion of the application, applicants schedule a hiring interview with the senior attorney (staff judge advocate - SJA) at any active duty Air Force base. The deadline for completion of the application paperwork and the hiring interview is 1 February of each year. Applicants need to schedule their interview appointment as early as possible, but not later than the 15th of the month prior to the board deadline date for the board they wish to meet. This will allow the interviewing office enough time to assemble and submit your completed application file to HQ USAF/JAX by the mandatory deadline date of the 1st day of the scheduled board month.

Training

Selectees attend an AFROTC field training encampment at an Air Force base during the summer before their third year of law school. They complete the normal academic requirements for the AFROTC program while attending their third year of law school.

Commissioning and Service Commitment

Upon completion of the AFROTC program and graduation from law school, OYCP cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in an inactive status. Those who have completed legal licensing requirements normally enter active duty shortly thereafter. Those who have not yet completed legal licensing requirements are granted an educational delay until completion of those requirements. The initial active duty commitment is four years. Graduates of the OYCP begin active duty as first lieutenants and are eligible for promotion to captain on the day they complete six months of active duty.

Financial Assistance

OYCP AFROTC students are eligible for a tax-free stipend each month. Students should also consult the ROTC website for other eligibility requirements.