This is an overview of the regular and recurring characters of long-running series JAG.
Note: All ranks are those shown and/or stated by the end of the series.
Played by David James Elliott.
A naval aviator who became a JAG lawyer after being diagnosed with night blindness. His father was shot down over Vietnam and was listed as MIA, with Harm's attempts to find him forming the plots of several episodes. He became strong friends with Mackenzie, and through the seasons their relationship grew through the years. Towards the end of the series the pair acknowledged that they were in love with each other. By the series finale, Harm and Mac became engaged to be married and would continue to live in either San Diego or London, based on who won a coin flip based on where they had been promoted to. He was promoted three times during the series' run, being first introduced in the pilot episode as a lieutenant to ending with the rank of captain in second to last episode. Rabb was a lieutenant commander and commander for most of the series' run.
Played by Catherine Bell.
A Marine lawyer, who later became chief of staff under Chegwidden and Cresswell, partnered with "Harm" and became his best friend and constantly dealt with "whatever" it was between the two officers. "Mac" had the gift of gab and great tenacity in the courtroom for justice but somehow always had trouble with the men in her life. She had a terrible childhood with her abusive alcoholic father and a mother who abandoned her on her 15th birthday. Suffered from alcoholism but sobered up and joined the Marine Corps at age 19. She dealt with her past in Season 4's episodes, "Mr. Rabb Goes To Washington" and "People v. Mac" and "Second Sight." For three seasons, Mac was a major. She was promoted once in the series' run from major to lieutenant colonel. She was also promoted from JAG lawyer to JAG chief of staff, the second in command under Chegwidden and later Creswell. Until the series finale, she was senior to Rabb by two months.
Played by Patrick Labyorteaux.
Originally an ensign in charge of Public Affairs at USS Seahawk, who later became a JAG lawyer.
He had a younger brother, Mikey (Michael Bellisario) who had aspirations of being an artist before being accepted into the Naval Academy, and eventually became a radar and gunnery technician. They had a complex relationship with their father, "Big Bud" Sr. (Jeff MacKay), a retired Master Chief, who was borderline abusive when they were children, perhaps due to the strain of having to raise them himself after the death of their mother. Mentioned having a sister named "Winnifred" or "Winnie" in Season 2 but she was never shown. He lost his right leg when he accidentally stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan, but went through rehabilitation and was not only allowed to remain the Navy, but given a promotion at the end of Season 9. Bud was promoted three times during the series' run, first from ensign to lieutenant junior grade; secondly from lieutenant junior grade to lieutenant; and lastly from lieutenant to lieutenant commander. Both Harm and Mac thought the world of Bud, and in the series finale both of them all but begged Bud to join them in their new commands; Bud politely turned them both down because his wife wanted him and their family to stay in the D.C. area. Bud was a lieutenant most of the series.