H.R. 10847House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Military Justice Leadership and Independence Act

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the ranks of the Judge Advocates General, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 20, 2026 at 8:20 AM UTC

The Military Justice Leadership and Independence Act amends Title 10 to standardize the senior ranks of the top legal officers—Judge Advocates General and their deputies—across the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. By assigning these positions to three‑star (or equivalent) ranks, the bill aims to give military lawyers higher status and clearer authority within each service.

Key Provisions

Sets the Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) to the rank of lieutenant general, and any Deputy JAG who is not already at that level to be appointed as a major general.
Requires the Marine Corps Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant to be appointed at the rank of lieutenant general if they were not already at that rank.
Specifies that the Navy JAG serves at the rank of vice admiral (or lieutenant general, as appropriate) and that a Deputy JAG who holds a lower grade be appointed as a rear admiral (or major general, as appropriate).
Designates the Air Force JAG to hold the rank of lieutenant general and any Deputy JAG who is not already at that level to be appointed as a major general.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

October 19, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 19, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

October 19, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 19, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10847

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 19, 2026

Ms. Goodlander (for herself, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, and Mr. Crow) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the ranks of the Judge Advocates General, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Military Justice Leadership and Independence Act.

Ranks of Judge Advocates General

(a)

Army

Section 7037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general. An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general..

(b)

Marine Corps

Section 8046(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: If the officer to be appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps holds a grade lower than the grade of lieutenant general immediately before the appointment, the officer shall be appointed in the grade of lieutenant general..

(c)

Navy

(1)

The Judge Advocate General

Section 8088(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of vice admiral or lieutenant general, as appropriate..

(2)

The Deputy Judge Advocate General

Section 8089(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: If an officer appointed as the Deputy Judge Advocate General holds a lower regular grade, the officer shall be appointed in the regular grade of rear admiral or major general, as appropriate..

(d)

Air Force

(1)

The Judge Advocate General

Section 9037(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The Judge Advocate General, while so serving, has the grade of lieutenant general..

(2)

The Deputy Judge Advocate General

Section 9037(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: An officer appointed as Deputy Judge Advocate General who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of major general..