JAG Is Pro-Military, But the Navy Didn’t Want It on TV

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I remember when JAG first came out in 1995! It was inspired by movies like Top Gun and A Few Good Men, and it really focused on the lawyers within the Navy – specifically, the stories of Harmon Rabb and Sarah Mackenzie. It’s amazing to think that even though it was a really supportive show of the military, the Navy almost stopped it from being made!

By 2026, the NCIS franchise has become a major force in television, encompassing numerous shows. Creator Donald Bellisario has built a true entertainment empire, starting with JAG and expanding to include Monday Morning, the original NCIS, the Hawaii Five-0 reboot, and several NCIS spin-offs. Interestingly, despite its success, the U.S. Navy was initially unsure about the idea behind JAG.

Bellisario’s JAG Was Almost Scuttled By the US Navy

In 1995, audiences still remembered two popular movies about the US Navy, though they were very different in tone: Tony Scott’s Top Gun and Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men. Top Gun is often remembered as a particularly enthusiastic and exciting film, offering a close look at the world of American fighter pilots.

In comparison, the second story centers on a team of military lawyers working to convict a Marine Corps colonel accused of causing the death of a subordinate. While one depicted military life as idyllic, the other offered a far more realistic and gritty portrayal.

So it’s not surprising the Navy had reservations when Don Bellisario proposed JAG. He described it as a blend of Top Gun and A Few Good Men, leaning more towards the latter’s focus on legal drama, and the premise involved each episode revolving around a member of the military accused of a crime.

These incidents sometimes portrayed the Navy as deeply flawed and corrupt, or made its officers appear incompetent. However, over time, viewers understood these shows actually supported military law enforcement, rather than criticizing the service members themselves.

When we were making the first episode of JAG, the Navy wasn’t just unhelpful – they were actually against us! Normally, shows like ours get made even without much help from the military, but this time it was completely different. It felt like they were actively working against us, which was a real surprise and made things incredibly difficult.

After facing a scandal involving sexual harassment claims against its pilots, the Navy became very concerned about how it appeared to the public. To control its image, it even threatened the city of Corpus Christi – a major filming location for the series – by cutting off resources until the city publicly separated itself from the production.

Oliver North Argued JAG Was Pro-Military and Saved the Production

The US military often works with Hollywood to improve its public image, but it will also distance itself from films it doesn’t like. A good example of this back-and-forth happened when the filmmakers of approached the military about using actual fighter jets for the aerial combat scenes.

When the filmmakers decided to focus on Area 51, the military withdrew its support, meaning the production had to use computer-generated imagery instead. While the Navy and Air Force liked the film’s patriotic theme, they were concerned that featuring the famous base would attract unwanted attention from tourists and the public.

In contrast, Tony Scott had significant control over the USS Enterprise during the making of Top Gun, even paying to have the ship repositioned for better filming angles. The Navy provided real F-14 Tomcats and working pilots, understanding the film would boost recruitment by inspiring a love of flying. When Tom Cruise reprised his role, the production again received this support, and the military saw the same positive results.

The TV show JAG unexpectedly benefited from Oliver North’s support. Even though his reputation was damaged by the Iran-Contra scandal during the Reagan administration, North still held considerable influence. He defended the show, arguing that it presented a positive image of discipline and order within the Navy.

Viewers watching Harm and Mac solve crimes wouldn’t see the Navy as corrupt, but as a well-managed organization. After Admiral Jeremy Boorda, who initially opposed the show, passed away, Navy leadership became supportive and worked with the series and its creator, Donald North, starting in 1996.

JAG Is Still One of the Best Military TV Dramas

Premiering ten years before NCIS became popular, JAG feels like the odd one out in the franchise. While the show dealt with Navy-related crimes and mysteries, it focused just as much on courtroom drama. This mix of field investigations, legal battles, and occasional military action gave it a distinctive feel. Before JAG, there wasn’t much on television that deeply explored the Navy; most military dramas at the time centered around the Army.

Even after 31 years, this series remains the best military drama of the 1990s, and it’s easy to see why. It clearly celebrates flight and successfully followed in the footsteps of films like Top Gun and A Few Good Men. Viewers continue to watch and appreciate the military’s cooperation in making it happen.

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2026-05-03 15:37