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2505 Career Guide

Navy

2505: Naval Reserve Lawyer

Career transition guide for Navy Naval Reserve Lawyer (2505)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 2505 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Attorney

$148K
High matchHigh demand

Compliance Officer

$85K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Industry-specific regulationsCompliance certifications

Contract Manager

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial contract lawNegotiation skills

Mediator

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certification in mediationConflict resolution techniques

Professor of Law

$120K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

PhD or LLM in LawTeaching experiencePublications

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 2505 training built — and where they transfer.

Adversarial Thinking

As a JAG officer, you're constantly analyzing situations from multiple perspectives, anticipating opposing arguments and identifying vulnerabilities in legal positions to build robust cases.

This translates directly into the ability to think critically, anticipate challenges, and proactively develop strategies to mitigate risks in any competitive environment.

Rapid Prioritization

You're often juggling multiple urgent legal matters, from drafting wills to advising on complex international law issues. You need to quickly assess the importance and urgency of each task to allocate your time and resources effectively.

This demonstrates your capacity to efficiently manage competing demands, prioritize tasks under pressure, and make sound decisions in fast-paced environments.

Procedural Compliance

The JAG Corps operates within a strict framework of laws, regulations, and procedures. You're meticulous in adhering to these rules to ensure the integrity and legality of all your actions.

This showcases your commitment to accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to follow established protocols, crucial skills in highly regulated industries.

Situational Awareness

You must remain aware of the context of any situation and how laws and regulations apply, from advising on family matters to interpreting international law. This requires adaptability and a deep understanding of the interplay between law and circumstance.

Your heightened awareness of the intricacies of legal and other parameters translates into an acute understanding of operations and potential challenges.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been trained to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes within the military. Your expertise in procedural compliance and adversarial thinking will be invaluable in ensuring that companies adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.

Mediator

SOC 29-1199.00

You've developed strong analytical abilities and a deep understanding of legal principles and human nature. As a mediator, you'll use these skills to facilitate constructive dialogue and help parties reach mutually agreeable resolutions.

Government Relations Specialist

SOC 11-2011.00

You've gained extensive experience working within the governmental framework of the military, including interpreting laws and regulations and drafting documentation. You can leverage that understanding to build strong relationships with government officials on behalf of organizations.

Insurance Claims Adjuster

SOC 13-1031.00

You're adept at analyzing complex situations, gathering evidence, and applying legal principles to reach sound conclusions. You can transition these skills into evaluating insurance claims, determining coverage, and negotiating settlements.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Officer Development School (ODS), Naval Justice School (NJS)

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Legal Studies

Topics Covered

  • Military Justice
  • Administrative Law
  • International and Operational Law
  • Legal Assistance
  • Navy Regulations
  • Criminal Law

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)40% covered

Requires significant study of personal financial planning topics not covered in military legal training, such as investment strategies, retirement planning, insurance, and estate planning techniques specific to civilian contexts. Need to understand the nuances of financial regulations and tax laws.

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)30% covered

This role involves personnel matters, but significant gaps exist in areas like talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and HR strategic alignment. Study employment law specifics outside the military, diversity and inclusion, and HR best practices.

Project Management Professional (PMP)25% covered

While experience administering legal services offers some project-related skills, you'll need to study the PMBOK Guide thoroughly to understand project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. Focus on areas like risk management, stakeholder management, and schedule/cost control.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI)Secure Cloud-based Network and Data Management (e.g., Microsoft Azure Government, AWS GovCloud)
LexisNexis Military Law LibraryLexisNexis or Westlaw Legal Research Database
Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA) Enterprise SystemCase Management Software (e.g., Clio, MyCase)
Joint Electronic Library (JEL)Online Document Repositories and Digital Libraries (e.g., ProQuest, JSTOR)
Naval Justice Information System (NJIS)Court Case Management Systems
SharePoint PortalCollaborative Document Management Platforms (e.g., Microsoft SharePoint, Google Workspace)

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