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Welcome to the 234th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course (JAOBC)! We’re thrilled to have you join us on this excited journey. To begin your JAOBC journey, please review the information below. Contact the Student Detachment via e-mail at judgeadvocatebasiccourse@army.mil with any questions.

Student Data Form

Student Handbook

Tasks to Complete Prior to JAOBC

  1. Handbook & Policy Memos: Review the Student Handbook and Policy Memos.
  2. Student Data Form: Complete the Student Data Form by 1 November 2026.
  3. Access Badge/Biography Photo: Submit a head and shoulders portrait in OCP uniform on a plain or off-white background as a JPG or PNG file by 1 November 2026.
    1. Students attending DCC 003-26: DCC Cadre will assign a student to take all JAOBC student photos.
    2. Students NOT attending DCC 003-26: Submit your photo to Student Detachment via e-mail.
  4. Government Travel Card (GTC): Complete the government travel card application by 1 November 2026. It is extremely important to submit your application as soon as possible versus delaying this step so that your card will be available on Day 1 of OBC to pay for your lodging expenses. If you have a government travel card, you do not need to apply for a new one.
    1. Active Duty: : Once you have your DODID number, use the attached instructions to complete the application. If you already have a government travel card, you do not need to submit another applicationaccount to ensure your card is active. N. Call the number on the back of the card, or log into your CitiBank GTC otify Student Detachment of your card status or to request assistance at judgeadvocatebasiccourse@army.mil.
    2. Reserve/National Guard:
      1. If you have not completed an application, contact your home unit for a travel card “invitation passcode, inviter’s email address, and approver1 email address. You may use the linked instructions to assist you with the application, but you must use your unit’s invitation passcode.
      2. If you completed an application but did not receive your card before departing, contact your home unit and request the card approving authority to update the mailing address to TJAGLCS prior to approving your application. Mail the card to TJAGLCS as indicated in the instructions NOT your home address. Cadre will collect travel cards and distribute them on the first day of OBC.
  5. Army Virtual Desktop AVD: Register for AVD by 19 November 2026. Your A365 email license must be activated before you can complete this step.
    1. Active Duty: TJAGLCS IT department will active your license, if available, by 6 November 2026. If you cannot access your Army e-mail and complete the registration after this date, you will receive assistance once you arrive to JAOBC.
    2. Reserve/National Guard: Contact your home unit and request activation of your A365 email license if you are unable to access your Army email or register for AVD.
  6. Lodging Exception to Policy (ETP): After reviewing the Student Handbook and Lodging Policy Memo, submit an ETP request, if necessary, to via e-mail by 1 November 2026.
    1. Requests must state a bona fide need and specific reasoning to justify the request.
    2. Requests will be considered and approved case-by-case and based on the availability of lodging. Not all ETPs will be granted.
  7. Household Goods (Active Duty only): Coordinate with the Fort Belvoir Transportation Officer regarding your household goods move.
    Website: https://home.army.mil/belvoir/units-tenants/fort-belvoir-transportation-office-household-goods
    Phone: 520-706-8613

  8. Complete the online training below: Completing the training prior to OBC arrival is not mandatory but it is encouraged. Training certificates will be due no later than 25 November. Do not re-do any training you completed within the last 9 months. Save a copy of your completion certificates to submit during in-processing.
    1. Travel Card 101
    2. Cyber Awareness
    3. Anti-Terrorism Level 1
    4. Combat Trafficking in Persons for JAs

Travel Instructions

  1. All Students must arrive at their directed Charlottesville lodging no later than 2100 on Thursday, 19 November 2026.
  2. Traveling from Fort Sill:
    1. Personally Owned Vehicle (POV): You are entitled four travel days to travel from Fort Sill to Charlottesville via POV (if your orders allow POV transportation). National Guard Soldiers should seek approval/guidance from your home unit. You are authorized reimbursement for the hotel cost at the government rate. You must retain a copy of your hotel receipts for reimbursement. POV travel is reimbursed at a flat rate based on the official distance. You do not need to retain receipts for gas. Visit the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) webpage at https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates to get the exact lodging reimbursement amount. Please plan ahead.
    2. Flight: Air travel must be booked through CWTSato Travel. Retain a copy of your receipt for reimbursement. Do not book a flight directly with an airline or third-party booking site.
  3. Traveling from home or home unit:
    1. Personally Owned Vehicle: Review your orders for authorization to travel via POV.
    2. Flight: Air travel must be booked through CWTSato Travel or the Defense Travel System (DTS). Retain a copy of your receipt for reimbursement. Do not book a flight directly with an airline or third-party booking site.
  4. Lodging: Review the Student Handbook & Lodging Policy Memo. Do not book your own lodging. All OBC Student lodging reservations will be made by TJAGLCS Student Detachment. You will receive your lodging assignment via email prior to the course start date.
  5. Departure: You will be permitted to depart on Tuesday, 2 March 2027 after out-processing and the graduation ceremony. Do not book flight reservations departing Charlottesville before 1500. Airports further from Charlottesville will require later flight times.
  6. Reimbursement:
    1. Active Duty: You will receive specific guidance on how to request reimbursement for your travel expenses during week 1. Retain copies of all lodging and air travel receipts for reimbursement.
    2. National Guard and Reserve: You will receive your reimbursements through the Defense Travel System (DTS) managed by your unit. We highly encourage you contact your Unit Administrator for more information about the reimbursement process.

Reporting Instructions

  1. Arrival: You must arrive to your Charlottesville lodging on the date annotated on their Student Data Form and no later than 2100 on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Lodging will not be available if you arrive before the date on your form.
    1. Traveling from DCC to OBC: You may report anytime between Monday, 16 November and Thursday, 19 November (no later than 2100).
    2. Traveling from unit or home of record: You must report on Thursday, 19 November (no later than 2100).
  2. Check In Procedures: You will be provided a point of contact the week prior to the course start date with specific instructions for Sunday accountability or communicating unanticipated travel delays.
  3. Day 1:
    1. Formation will be at 0645, Friday 20 November 2026 at TJAGLCS, 600 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903. Students will form up under the overhang outside the main entrance in OCP uniform. A backpack and pen are encouraged.
    2. You will receive a map with the formation area marked via email the week prior to reporting.