Service in the Military Advocate General's Corps

General

The Military Advocate General's Corps (the MAG Corps) consists of officers holding (at the very least) a Bachelor of Laws. The majority of officers join the MAG Corps within the framework of the "Academic Atudah" program, which allows draftees to defer their service in order to undertake tertiary studies and subsequently undergo their military service in the profession of their studies. The MAG Corps also enlists practicing lawyers who wish to return to military service having previously served in the IDF, officers from other IDF units who have undertaken legal studies during their service, and lawyers who immigrated to Israel having completed their studies overseas.

The MAG Corps, established at the same time as the IDF in 1948, carries with it a storied history and legacy. Alumni of the MAG Corps have gone on to serve in key positions in Israel's legal system, both in the public and private sector. Among such alumni are current and retired judges of Israel's Supreme Court, Attorney Generals, legal advisors to government offices and public institutions, lecturers at leading academic institutions in Israel as well as abroad, senior partners at Israel's top private law firms, and more.

The MAG Corps also works to enlist lawyers who have undergone legal training abroad and then immigrated to Israel, and seeks to make use of their skills while assisting with undergoing military service, integrating into Israeli society, building familiarity with the Hebrew language (especially legal Hebrew) and developing professional experience.

Academic Atudah

Those in the Academic Atudah program begin their law degree following their graduation from high school. Throughout their studies, they are exposed incrementally to the MAG Corps through meetings and conferences, and are in contact with MAG Corps officers who accompany them throughout their studies with advice and information. Upon obtaining their degree, they join the ranks of the MAG Corps. Usually, they will attend the IDF's Officers Training Academy, followed by a supplementary Legal Officer Training Course run by the MAG Corps. Following these courses, the officers are conferred the rank of lieutenant, and are assigned positions in a specific department in the MAG Corps. At the end of their mandatory service period, these officers serve an additional period as career officers, at the rank of captain.

These officers may be assigned to one of a number of positions when they complete their training: prosecutors, defenders, legal advisers, legal researchers, legal educators and more. They work on issues in all areas of the law as well as issues unique to military law. The diversity of the available roles in the MAG Corps provides the opportunity to gain considerable experience in litigation, providing legal advice on substantive issues to various levels of command, drafting various legal documents, public speaking, training and management. The responsibility given to young officers is significant, and they take part in challenging and significant work.

During their service, these officers typically complete their traineeship as lawyers, as required by the Israel Bar Association, and sit for the Israel bar exam thereafter. During their service, officers also have the opportunity to pursue further tertiary studies.

Accordingly, MAG Corps officers graduate from law school, become certified lawyers and accumulate substantial legal experience all at a young age. Some of these officers are given command positions, continue as career officers and rise through the ranks. Others finish their service in the IDF having obtained significant experience in the law, and join the public or private sector.

For more information, see website: www.atuda.org.il, phone: 03-7372383, email: Atuda1@mail.idf.il.

Foreign-Trained Lawyers

Foreign-trained lawyers who immigrate to Israel may serve in the MAG Corps as part of their mandatory or volunteer military service. The MAG Corps works to place such lawyers in positions which make best use of their skills and experience as well as which contribute to their military service, integration into Israeli society, familiarity with the Hebrew language (especially legal Hebrew) and professional experience.

In order to serve in the MAG Corps, applicants must hold a law degree (but are not required to be registered or practicing lawyers in Israel) and must possess a good command of Hebrew, both written and spoken.

For applications, please send your resume and a cover letter to the MAG Corps' Human Resources Branch. Email: valeria81@mail.idf.il, fax: 03-5694575 or phone: 03-5696632.

Reserve Duty

In addition to regular service, the MAG Corps consists of hundreds of lawyers in private and public practice in Israel who undertake reserve duty service in the unit. These lawyers work as prosecutors, defense attorneys and legal advisers (on both Israeli and international law). The MAG Corps accepts Israeli citizens who completed their military service elsewhere in the IDF and wish to transfer to the MAG Corps for reserve duty.

For applications, please send your resume and a cover letter to the MAG Corps' Human Resources Branch. Email: valeria81@mail.idf.il, fax: 03-5694575 or phone: 03-5696632.

Other

In addition to legal officers, the MAG Corps also consists of soldiers in their mandatory service, who serve as legal assistants. Among other things, legal assistants conduct legal research, draft documents, manage the contact with commanders and soldiers that receive services from the MAG Corps, and more.