Overview

The paralegal specialist provides legal/administrative support in areas of criminal law, family law, international law, contract law and fiscal law. They assist judges, Army lawyers and unit commanders with legal matters and judicial work

Job Duties

• Paralegal support to unit commanders and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
  
• Provide legal documents in courts-martial, nonjudicial punishments and other military justice matters
  
• Prepare line of duty determinations, separation board proceedings and other administrative law matters
  
• Assistance in the family law arena such as powers of attorney, wills and separation decrees

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a paralegal specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, and 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Legal terminology and research techniques
  
• Preparation of legal documents
  
• Army judicial process
  
• Interviewing witnesses

Helpful Skills

• Ability to supervise those in a command
  
• Provide technical guidance to subordinates
  
• Maintain law/administrative library
  
• Monitor and review actions for accuracy

Required ASVAB Score(s)

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.

Education Benefits

In the Army, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education benefits.

Future Civilian Careers

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career as a legal assistant or a court clerk.