Under UCMJ Article 31(b), you must be told what crime you’re suspected of, reminded you don’t have to answer, and warned that anything you say may be used against you. Investigators often use rapport-building or psychological techniques to coax statements.

Once you voluntarily hand over your phone or provide a passcode, investigators may get access far beyond what you intended. Consent often waives protection against intrusive search methods.

Deleting messages, clearing apps, or losing documents can appear as obstruction. You must preserve all potential evidence, even material you think is irrelevant.

Social media posts, private conversations, or casual remarks can become evidence. Even innocent comments may be misinterpreted or used to accuse you of influencing witnesses.

Talking to investigators without counsel risks misstatements or contradictions. Even routine “clarifying questions” are used to build a case against you.

No-contact orders, duty restrictions, or reassignment may feel unfair. But violating them creates new allegations and strengthens the government’s hand.

Investigations are psychologically draining. Poor sleep, anxiety, or emotional volatility can affect how investigators, commanders, or boards view you.

Collecting timelines, messages, witness names, receipts, travel logs, and digital evidence early can make the difference between a dismissal and a court-martial.

Trying to retrieve records yourself can be mistaken for tampering or unauthorized access. Military systems track every login and retrieval.

How you behave during the investigation often influences command decisions, board outcomes, and administrative actions more than the allegation itself.