Driven by his passion for national security law, FIU Law alumnus Noah Fineberg (J.D. ’26) has taken his oath of enlistment and shared his journey to joining the Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.
Starting his 1L year unsure about his legal path, Noah developed a deep interest in military and national security law after attending Professor Carpenter’s annual JAG panel discussion event. He met with Professor Carpenter to discuss the branches and programs available and applied for an internship with the U.S. Coast Guard office in Miami for his 2L fall. “While I was with them, I really fell in love with the work and the idea of seriously pursuing this as a career,” he noted. He then landed a summer internship with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency while navigating the formal application process for the Navy JAG Corps.
Last summer, Noah received and accepted a professional recommendation to join the Navy JAG Corps. On June 29, 2026, he was sworn into the United States Navy through his oath of enlistment. His next step is to attend officer candidate school in the fall, a rigorous 13-week program where future JAG attorneys train alongside others commissioning into the Navy. After that, he will be attending Naval Justice school, familiarizing himself with military justice training.
During his time at FIU Law, Noah was a 1L section A representative for the Student Bar Association (SBA), a 1L representative for the Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) and the Public Interest Network, and the President of the JLSA. He also served as SGA Chair for the SBA, vice president of the Veterans and Military Affairs Law Student Association (VMALSA), and an FIU Law ambassador. His time as president for the JLSA taught him leadership skills and provided him with valuable opportunities throughout FIU.
To other students interested in JAG, Noah offered this advice: “I don't come from a military family or a military background. This is a brand-new thing for me,” he said. “You don't need to be daunted or worried about not having prior experience or knowledge. If you're willing to put in the work, this is a field where you can do important work for the safety and protection of our country.”