Judge Advocate Generals Association of Legal Paraprofessionals (JAGALP) 

1. Authority and Purpose: This SOP establishes and governs the Honorary awards and medallions program as the official recognition system primarily for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps). It identifies and distinguishes honorary recognitions for retired and external contributors, and structured awards for actively serving Paralegals, and Civilian personnel. 

2. Applicability: Applies to all current and former JAG Corps personnel, including Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Civilian Employees, recognized family members, and distinguished external contributors. 

3. Categories of Recognition: 

Orders of Justice (Honorary and Lifetime Awards) 

• Order of Saint Patrick: Mid and Senior NCOs (SSG–SGM) and civilian paralegals and paraprofessionals 

• Shield of Saint Patrick: Legacy contributions by retiring paralegals and paraprofessionals adding a significant impact on the Corps. 

Coggins Award: TBD 

4. Nomination Process 

• Nominations require: 

◦ Official form 

◦ 1-page justification 

◦ Resume or career summary 

◦ Commander or director endorsement (O-4 or GS-13 equivalent and above) 

◦ Supporting documents encouraged (evaluations, impact metrics, peer statements) 

• Submitted to category-specific review boards 

• Reviewed quarterly; recommendations provided to respective senior board 

5. Approval and Presentation 

• JAGALP approves awards for Paralegals and Paraprofessionals 

• Formal presentations required for all awards, examples include, JAGCORPS balls and dining ins; ceremony coordination is the nominator’s responsibility 

• Mailing of medallions to the recipient is prohibited except in extenuating circumstances. 

6. Revocation Policy 

• Grounds for revocation include: 

◦ UCMJ violation or civilian criminal conviction 

◦ Ethical misconduct or adverse administrative action 

• Process: 

◦ Written report submitted to oversight board 

◦ Subject receives formal notice and right to respond 

◦ Final decision by the board 

7. Official Registry and Review 

• All awards are logged in official JAGALP and JAG Corps awards registry, maintained by representative organizations. 

• Annual honors list submitted to OTJAG and Corps historian 

• Regulation reviewed every five years for accuracy, and modernization 

8. Visual Identification and Heraldry 

• Each Order and tier is represented by a custom medallion or lapel pin 

• Award design and heraldry files maintained by OTJAG Corps Recognition Program Office 

• Full-color charts and photographs may be included as appendices to this regulation 

9. Point of Contact 

• JAGALP (Judge Advocate General Association of Legal Paraprofessionals) 

◦ Website: https://www.jagalp.org 

◦ Contact: Jagalpsocialmedia@gmail.com 

Order of Saint Patrick – Criteria and Eligibility 

Purpose 

The Order of Saint Patrick recognizes Paralegals (MOS 27D) across the Army JAG Corps who exemplify legal expertise, leadership, ethics, and esprit de corps. This regimental award system is currently composed of two ascending tiers to reflect increasing responsibility and achievement across a legal career. 

Tier I: Order of Saint Patrick 

(Excellence) 

• Eligibility: 

◦ Rank: SSG to SGM or civilian paraprofessional 

◦ MOS: 27D or civilian assigned to a JAG office 

◦ Minimum 7 years of paralegal service (waiver-able for exceptional cases) 

◦ Must be a current JAGALP member or will enroll for 3 years at time of nomination 

• Criteria: 

◦ Consistently high performance in legal office operations 

◦ Demonstrates Army Values and legal ethics 

◦ Clear contribution to mission readiness and administrative excellence 

◦ Positive peer or supervisor recognition 

• Award Elements: 

◦ Bronze medallion 

◦ Certificate of Achievement 

◦ Presentation at unit or brigade-level event 

Tier II: Shield of Saint Patrick 

(Lifetime Legacy Award) 

• Eligibility: 

◦ 20+ years of total paralegal service (Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilian, or combined) 

◦ Retired or within one year of retirement 

◦ Must be a lifetime member of the JAGALP 

• Criteria: 

◦ Long-term contributions to the success of the JAG Corps 

◦ National-level impact (e.g., training, doctrine, strategic policy) 

◦ Nominated by senior JAG Corps leader (CSM, CW5, or GO-level endorsement) or JAGALP executive committee 

◦ Positive professional reputation throughout career 

• Award Elements: 

◦ Gold medallion with green and bronze accents 

◦ Frameable biography and formal citation 

◦ Presentation at the JAG Regimental Ball, Paralegal Dining-In, or Retirement Ceremony 

Additional Guidance 

• Progression through tiers is not required but is encouraged 

• Time-in-service waivers may be approved by the JAGALP Board 

• Nomination packets must include: 

◦ Completed nomination form 

◦ 1-page justification 

◦ Short biography or ERB 

◦ Supporting documents (awards, test scores, memos) 

Coggins Award 

Background: 

1. Description of the Award: The SGT Eric L. Coggins Award for Excellence recognizes Active, National Guard, and Army Reserve Paralegal Specialists or Noncommissioned Officers whose superior legal skills and Soldier virtues best emulate the attributes of SGT Eric L. Coggins. SGT Coggins began his military career as an airborne Soldier at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his initial tour, he volunteered for Korea where his exceptional skills as a Legal Specialist and leader led to his selection (while still a Specialist) as NCOIC of the 1st Brigade legal office for the 2d Infantry Division at Camp Casey. SGT Coggins then volunteered for assignment to Kuwait, where he became NCOIC of the Camp Doha legal office. He also excelled in this assignment and ran a superb "frontier" legal office under very difficult conditions. When Iraq threatened Kuwait, SGT Eric L. Coggins was among the first to volunteer for squad automatic weapons training and he served as a machine gunner on the camp's beefed-up perimeter. As the threat increased, he volunteered for, and received, tank gunnery training and became so proficient at gunnery operations that he was selected as gunner for the commander's tank. Shortly after leaving Kuwait, SGT Coggins was diagnosed with liver cancer and succumbed to the disease at age 23. 

Eligibility 

a. 

Rank and component. Active, National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers in the grade of SPC through SSG, who possess the 27D PMOS. 

b. Minimum criteria. The nominee must not be flagged or pending derogatory administrative or adverse action for misconduct, physical readiness, or height & weight. If received, these packets will not be considered. 

c. Award criteria. The selected Soldier must embody the spirit of Sergeant Eric L. Coggins, continually display the seven Army Values (loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage) and four JAG Corps Constants, (principled counsel, stewardship, mastery of the law, and servant leadership) and therefore must demonstrate both exceptional Soldier and paralegal skills. A specific, noteworthy, and recent military or civic achievement may be an additional factor in support of a nomination but will not be the sole reason. 

Packet requirements. Nominee packets must be submitted in a basic .pdf file (not a portfolio) with a cover sheet reflecting the nominee's rank, full name, and current unit of assignment. The required documents are as follows: 

(1) Cover Sheet 

(2) Recommendation from the SJA 

(3) Recommendation from CPNCO 

(4) Head and shoulders photo in dress or duty uniform 

(5) Military Biography/Resume 

(6) Updated IPPS-A Soldier Talent Profile 

(7) Weapon Qualification: Current qualification scorecard for assigned weapon. 

(8) Physical Fitness Test: Current AFT scorecard 

(9) Other substantive supporting documentation (Individual awards, training certificates, degrees already listed on the STP should NOT be submitted).