The Marine Corps has announced the FY27 selection board for two programs that send commissioned officers to accredited law schools to become judge advocates. The board convenes 4 November 2026. This year's message includes a notable change for reservists: RC officers are now eligible to apply for ULEP through a return to active duty (RAD) process, a new option not available in prior years.
Heads up, reservists: ULEP is now open to RC officers through a RAD package. If selected, you lateral move to the 44xx community as a student judge advocate once the RAD is complete.
Who it affects
Both programs are open to unrestricted commissioned officers, captain or below. General eligibility for both:
- U.S. citizen
- Captain or below
- Can complete 20 years of active service, with at least 10 years as a commissioned officer, before age 62
FLEP is for active component officers with at least 2 but no more than 6 years of total active duty when law school begins. FLEP is funded: the Marine Corps covers tuition (up to the Post-9/11 GI Bill cap) and you receive full pay and allowances.
ULEP is for active component officers with at least 2 but no more than 8 years of total active duty when law school begins. ULEP is unfunded: you attend law school at your own expense but receive pay and allowances while in the program.
Reservists are now eligible for ULEP specifically, in three situations:
- Not a lawyer, not currently in law school: apply now, RAD once accepted and before your first year begins.
- Not a lawyer, currently in law school: apply now, RAD before your next year begins.
- If you don't finish law school or don't pass the bar, you return to your original MOS and serve out the obligation.
Who is not eligible:
- Officers currently serving a utilization tour from another Marine Corps Graduate Education Program (MCGEP)
- Officers already selected to the FY27 Commandant's Education Board for PME school or another MCGEP
What you need to do
If you're interested, this is a significant application. Here is the sequence:
- Notify your primary MOS monitor of your intent to apply before you submit anything. Include proof of that notification in your package.
- Get interviewed by the staff judge advocate (SJA) to your first general officer in the chain of command. Their comments go in the forwarding endorsement.
- Have your chain of command endorse the package through the first general officer. The CO's endorsement must address your specific value to the Marine Corps as a future judge advocate.
- Gather required documents: LSAT scores (minimum 150 required; GRE waiver available, contact the POC), all college transcripts with letter grades, a 500-word-or-less personal statement on why you want to be a judge advocate, law school application and acceptance letters (in priority order, must show tuition rates and whether you qualify for in-state), a privacy act statement, and a signed statement accepting your service obligation.
- Apply to a range of law schools. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships are encouraged but require prior MMOA-3 approval and a JAD ethics opinion before acceptance.
- Email your complete package as a single PDF to
smb_mmoa_grad_edu@usmc.mil. Name the file:EDIPI_FLEP_LastNamefor FLEP onlyEDIPI_ULEP_LastNamefor ULEP onlyEDIPI_FLEP_ULEP_LastNameif applying for both
- Reservists applying for ULEP must submit both a ULEP package and a separate RAD package to the same address.
Service obligations to understand before you sign:
| Program | Obligation |
|---|---|
| FLEP | 24 months active service for every 12 months (or part thereof) in the program |
| ULEP | 12 months active service for every 12 months (or part thereof); minimum 24 months total |
| RAD (reservists) | 24 months from date of commission, consecutive to (not concurrent with) ULEP obligation; does not start while in school |
Officers not yet career designated must accept career designation before attending. If you have denied career designation, you are not eligible.
The application package and a sample application are available on the MMOA-3 graduate education page (CAC required):
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3/#tab/graduate-education-boards
Key dates
- 23 October 2026: Application deadline (must include LSAT score)
- 4 November 2026: Board convenes
- 1 April 2027: Law school acceptance letter deadline (final selection contingent on this)
The official version
This article is based on MARADMIN 441/26. Referenced orders include SECNAVINST 1520.7G (Law Education Program), MCO 1524.1 (Marine Corps Graduate Education Program), MCO 1300.8, and MCO 1001.65A.
POC for FLEP and ULEP: Maj Matthew W. Schoneweis, matthew.schoneweis@usmc.mil, 703-693-9059.
POC for general inquiries: smb_mmoa_grad_edu@usmc.mil, 703-784-9285 or smb_manpower_officer_programs@usmc.mil, 703-784-9284.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.