Navy Legalman (LN): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide offers information for those interested in enlisting as a Legalman (LN) in the Navy during the Fiscal Year 2025.

The legal world is cutthroat. Getting in? Even tougher. But the Navy gives you something most law careers won’t—real experience, real fast.

As a Legalman, you won’t be stuck fetching coffee or filing paperwork. You’ll be in the action, working alongside Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps attorneys, handling military justice cases, and building skills that put you miles ahead of your competition.

Travel the world, assist in high-stakes legal matters, and make an impact that actually matters.

Ready to take the first step?

Job Description

navy-ln-insignia
LN Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Legalmen (LN) are Navy enlisted Sailors who are tasked with providing legal services related to military justice matters, administrative discharges, claims, admiralty law, and legal assistance under the direction of Judge Advocates.

LNs handle legal work. Support JAG officers. Draft documents. Research cases. Keep records straight.

They help run military trials. Courts-martial, investigations, boards. Make sure paperwork is right. Interviews, evidence, appeals.

Work in offices, ships, air squadrons. Can be sent anywhere. Foreign, domestic, shore, fleet. 25% at sea, 75% shore duty. Around 500 LNs in the Navy. Strong demand.

What You’ll Do

  • Help JAG Officers with military law and policy
  • Assist Sailors, retirees, and families with legal matters
  • Draft legal documents, letters, and requests
  • Research cases, conduct interviews, gather evidence
  • Support trial and defense teams
  • Manage legal offices, keep records organized
  • Prepare documents for hearings, courts-martial, investigations
  • Handle appeals, process case reviews
  • Administrative work, legal forms, reports

You deal with real cases. Military justice, family law, admin law, investigations. One day, court-martial prep. Next day, advising a Sailor. It’s hands-on legal work, not just paperwork.

Different Roles

Journeyman Paralegal

Handles legal paperwork. Prepares, processes, and transmits legal documents. Assists with court reporting, investigations, and delivering legal services.

Duties:

  • Answer calls, schedule appointments, organize legal files
  • Assist attorneys with gathering case information
  • Take notes, draft memos, review legal publications
  • Perform notarial acts, draft Powers of Attorney, wills, estate planning documents
  • Conduct legal research, find relevant laws and court decisions

Paralegal

Supports legal teams. Prepares legal documents, assists with trials, researches cases. Works directly with JAG Officers and clients.

Duties:

  • Draft appeals, motions, pretrial agreements, legal briefs
  • Assist in military defense and representation
  • Research laws, assemble case data, process witness fee vouchers
  • Advise commanders on legal and administrative matters
  • Conduct witness interviews, prepare legal documents, serve as a notary
  • Mentor junior legal personnel

Senior Paralegal

More experience, more responsibility. Investigates cases, organizes legal materials, and provides high-level legal support.

Duties:

  • Analyze legal information, draft court pleadings and motions
  • Obtain affidavits, support attorneys in trials
  • Track and organize critical case files
  • Advise commanders in international settings, assist with operational law
  • Manage legal office personnel, oversee training and budgets

No matter the role, Legalmen handle real legal work. Drafting, researching, advising. From courtroom prep to administrative law, they make sure military legal operations run smoothly.

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Seaman RecruitSRSeaman Recruit
E-2Seaman ApprenticeSASeaman Apprentice
E-3SeamanSNSeaman
E-4Legalman Third ClassLN3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Legalman Second ClassLN2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Legalman First ClassLN1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief LegalmanLNCChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief LegalmanLNCSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief LegalmanLNCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the First 6 Years

Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January  2025 Active Duty Pay chart:

Pay GradeLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 Years
E-1$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10
E-2$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80
E-3$2,484.60$2,640.60$2,800.80$2,800.80$2,800.80
E-4$2,752.20$2,892.90$3,049.80$3,204.30$3,341.40
E-5$3,001.50$3,203.70$3,358.80$3,517.20$3,763.80
E-6$3,276.60$3,606.00$3,765.00$3,919.80$4,080.60

Extra Pays and Allowances

Housing Allowance (BAH):
For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.

Subsistence Allowance (BAS):
Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.

Hazard Duty Pay:
For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.

Sea Pay:
For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.

Special and Incentive Pays:
Bonuses for certain roles, like air traffic control or unique skills. These can be a few hundred to thousands per year.

Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Benefits

  • Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.
  • Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.
  • Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”
  • Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:
    • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.
    • Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.
  • Education:
    • Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
    • Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
    • Navy College Program to support education while on service.
  • Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.
  • Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.
  • Extra Benefits:
    • Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
    • Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.
Navy-LN-Rating-Legalman-Image-704X396

Training and Career Opportunities

Training Overview

As an Enlisted Sailor pursuing a Legalman role, your training path includes:

  1. Recruit Training (Boot Camp) – The standard 7–10 week Navy boot camp.
  2. Naval Justice School (Newport, RI) – 11 weeks of legal training covering:
    • Military justice
    • Court-martial procedures
    • Legal assistance
    • Civil, operational, and procedural law
SchoolLocationTraining TimeSubjects CoveredMethods
Naval Justice SchoolNewport, RI11 WeeksMilitary justice, court-martial procedures, legal assistance, civil & operational lawGroup & hands-on application
Legalman Paralegal Education Program (LPEP)Roger Williams University (Online)8 Weeks (College semester)Paralegal studiesSelf-paced & structured coursework

After training, you could be assigned to ships, shore stations, or legal offices worldwide, including:

  • Region Legal Service Offices (RLSO)
  • Defense Service Offices (DSO)
  • Aircraft carriers & amphibious ships
  • Independent duty legal roles

Legalmen spend about 25% of their career in fleet units and 75% at shore stations.


Post-Service Opportunities

Legal training in the Navy translates well to civilian careers. Former Legalmen often work in:

  • Paralegal & legal support roles
  • Court reporting
  • Law office administration
  • Government legal services

LPEP allows Legalmen to work toward an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies while on active duty—without needing Tuition Assistance.

This career gives hands-on legal experience with real-world impact, both in the military and beyond.

If you have a four-year degree and a legal background, you may qualify for the JAG Corps as a commissioned officer.


Qualifications to Join

A high school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor in the legal support field. You must be a U.S. citizen.

As an aspiring Legalman, you should have strong writing and communication skills, good hearing, attention to detail, and typing ability. The Navy will provide classroom and group instruction in Navy legal, administrative, and clerical functions.

Requirements

  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • ASVAB: VE + MK = 105
  • Hearing: Must have normal hearing
  • Speech: No speech impediment
  • Security Clearance: Required
    • No record of conviction by civil court for anything other than minor traffic offenses.
    • Not eligible if a substance abuse waiver is required.
    • Must have a valid driver’s license or be eligible to obtain one.
  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Service Time:
    • Must be within 12 months of Projected Rotation Date (PRD)
    • Must have served at least 24 months in present rating
    • Must have less than 10 years of total service

Successful Traits

Legalmen should be people-oriented, have good judgment, and be resourceful under pressure. They should excel in learning environments, be problem solvers, and have strong oral communication skills. Maturity, professionalism, and a neat appearance are important. Helpful skills include writing, typing, arithmetic, and a good memory.

Application Notes

  • Apply via PERS-811 (Do not send to PERS-4010S).
  • See JAGINST 1440.1 for application details and additional eligibility requirements.

The enlistment qualification requirements for Fiscal Year 2025 are available from the Navy Personnel Command. To find out the most current requirements for joining the Navy as an enlisted Sailor, please consult with a local Navy Enlisted Recruiter.

More Information

To get more information about becoming a Navy Legalman (LN), your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter is the best source. They can provide details not normally found online.

You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs in Administration

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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