Notwithstanding age, the degree would make her more competitive in a hyper competitive program. While only a couple a year are accepted it isn't like winning the lottery. In the past 5 years or so my NRD dircommed two JAGs. I don't know a single lottery winner.
The War Studies Program at King's College is highly respected. When I was a selres on the NAVEUR staff one of our intel folks was in that program at King's. She had nothing bad to say about it. My son is looking into it. It is a crap shoot. But it would make your app stronger. Stronger then an LLM or SJD, dunno. But it will look good and likely be more interesting then a LLM to pursue (Not sure what a SJD is).
Plus ... in all correspondence, business cards, and basically anything written -- including your telephone book listing(s) -- you would use your first initial and entire middle name/last name ... how very lawyer-like.Well, I'd probably begin to infuse "u" into random words, end other words with re instead of er, and I'll most likely replace "z" with "s" in a few others. Overall, it will just improve!
My point was that you might as well start applying now. Obviously, it depends on what your goals are, but if the Navy is your goal, you might as well apply early and often. If you get in now, great. If you get accepted while in school see if you can defer or make the choice between finishing the master's and joining the Navy.
Actually, what is truly depressing is that some of my friends (same age!) back home are becoming grandparents.
Also, if she could get in now, couldn't she use the GI bill to get her Master's when she gets out? Or would that not work for a UK based school?
ODS, is that what they call OIS now? I'm not sure how often the class convene these days. I expect probably once a month . Usually, if in school they are more then happy to set a class for you after your program ends. Your problem is that you would not be available until the next fiscal year. If they wanted you in that fiscal year you could be screwed. Still, they ask your available date on the app. Just put down OCT-NOV and let it fly. You could be one of the first selects for the next fiscal year.