Jordan Military Defense Lawyers for U.S. Service Members
Short answer: Soldiers, airmen and other service members in Jordan, including rotational forces at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, can hire a civilian military defense lawyer in addition to free military defense counsel (Article 38(b), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 838). If Army CID or Air Force OSI asks to interview you, you have the right to remain silent and must be told what you are suspected of before questioning (Article 31(b), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 831). Whether Jordan can prosecute an off-duty offense depends on the status-of-forces arrangements between the United States and the host nation, so local police may be able to arrest you. Ask for a lawyer before you answer questions. Gonzalez & Waddington travels to Jordan for interviews, hearings and trials. Call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC, led by civilian military defense lawyers Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington, serves U.S. service members associated with Jordan who are facing UCMJ investigations, court-martial defense issues, or administrative representation needs. The firm represents military personnel worldwide and can assist service members connected to U.S. defense activity in Jordan without claiming a local office or verified local case history. If an allegation, command inquiry, or disciplinary process threatens your career, early independent counsel can help you make informed decisions.
Military Defense Representation in Jordan’s Country-Level Setting
Jordan should be understood as a country-level military defense location, not as a single U.S. installation. The official country name is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and U.S. personnel connected to the country may be assigned, deployed, transiting, supporting, or coordinating with joint defense activities rather than attached to one permanent base. That matters for a military justice page because the practical setting can involve overseas movement, host-nation coordination, joint command structures, and mission-sensitive records.
For service members, a UCMJ matter in Jordan can feel different from a stateside case even when the legal forum remains military. Witnesses may be spread across units or countries, records may sit within operational channels, and decisions may be made while a mission continues. The goal of civilian military defense counsel is not to dramatize those conditions, but to help the accused service member avoid rushed statements, protect available evidence, and prepare for the possibility that an inquiry could become an administrative action or court-martial.
Jordan’s Strategic Geography and U.S. Defense Context
Jordan is located in the Middle East and shares land borders with Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Public U.S. government guidance also identifies the Syria and Iraq border areas as a distinctive security context. For military personnel, that geography reinforces why Jordan is treated as a strategic partner and operating environment rather than a routine domestic duty station. Defense activity connected to Jordan may be shaped by regional security concerns, border issues, contingency planning, and the practical limits of working overseas.
Official U.S. Army Central information describes Area Support Group-Jordan as a U.S. Army Central organization supporting Department of Defense personnel and USARCENT facilities in Jordan. Its public mission references include base operations support, communications integration, force protection, host-nation coordination, and joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration. Those are not criminal-law claims; they are important location facts that explain why military justice concerns in Jordan may intersect with operational records, communications, access procedures, and command coordination.
U.S.-Jordan defense cooperation is also documented through the U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission, described by the Department of Defense as the premier bilateral defense forum for security assistance and military cooperation. Public DoD information highlights cooperation related to regional security, the Defeat-ISIS coalition, counter-unmanned aircraft systems efforts, and border security concerns involving Iraq and Syria. For a service member under scrutiny, those facts underscore why the surrounding mission environment may be serious, sensitive, and fast-moving.
How Civilian Counsel Can Help in a Jordan UCMJ Matter
When a service member in or associated with Jordan is questioned about alleged misconduct, the first concern is often what to say, what not to say, and how to respond without making the situation worse. Civilian military defense counsel can help assess the stage of the matter, prepare for investigative pressure, and coordinate a defense strategy with attention to the realities of an overseas defense environment. That may include UCMJ investigations, court-martial defense planning, rebuttal matters, separation-related issues, or other administrative representation needs.
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC represents service members worldwide in serious military justice matters. Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington approach a Jordan-related case by focusing on the record, the allegations, the command process, and the service member’s rights, not assumptions about the location. Because the selected public sources do not verify every current U.S.-used site or troop number in Jordan, this introduction stays focused on confirmed country-level facts and the broader U.S. defense relationship.
If you are a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Guardian, or Coast Guardsman associated with Jordan and you have been contacted about a UCMJ investigation, possible court-martial, or administrative action, consider speaking with civilian military defense counsel before making decisions that may affect your future. Contact Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC to discuss representation by Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington. Call 1-800-921-8607.
Jordan Military Bases at a Glance
Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC represents service members at military installations in Jordan. The table shows each installation, its branch, the nearest city, which agency investigates misconduct there, and where to find the base-specific guide.
| Installation | Branch | Nearest city | Investigators | Base guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muwaffaq Salti Air Base | Air Force | Azraq | Air Force OSI | Covered on this page |
Key Legal Facts for Jordan Military Cases
- The UCMJ applies overseas: Service members stationed in Jordan remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice wherever they serve (Article 5, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 805).
- Civilian counsel: You may hire a civilian lawyer at your own expense and keep your free detailed military defense counsel (Article 38(b), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 838).
- Questioning: Air Force OSI agents must tell you what offense you are suspected of and that you have the right to remain silent before they question you (Article 31(b), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 831; Mil. R. Evid. 305).
- Host-nation jurisdiction: Whether a local court or a court-martial handles an off-duty offense in Jordan depends on the agreements between the United States and the host nation. Either way, military charges remain possible (Article 5, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 805).
- Drugs: Whatever local law allows, use or possession of marijuana, THC products or other controlled substances by a service member is a crime under Article 112a, UCMJ (10 U.S.C. § 912a), on or off base.
- Sexual assault cases: For Article 120 offenses (10 U.S.C. § 920) committed after December 27, 2023, the Office of Special Trial Counsel, not the local commander, decides whether to refer charges (Article 24a, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 824a).
- Preliminary hearing: Before charges can be referred to a general court-martial, you are entitled to an Article 32 preliminary hearing (10 U.S.C. § 832).
Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington of Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC are civilian military defense lawyers who represent service members stationed in Jordan in investigations, courts-martial and administrative actions. Michael Waddington is a former Army JAG prosecutor and Senior Defense Counsel; each partner has practiced military and criminal defense for more than 20 years. Call 1-800-921-8607 for a free, confidential consultation.
Jordan Military Defense Lawyers | Court-Martial Attorneys for U.S. Forces in Jordan
Trial-Focused Court-Martial Defense for Service Members Stationed in Jordan
If you are searching for a Jordan military defense lawyer or a court-martial attorney representing U.S. service members stationed in Jordan, you may already be facing a serious military justice issue. U.S. personnel assigned to installations in Jordan remain fully subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Allegations investigated by command authorities, CID, NCIS, OSI, CGIS, military police, or other military investigative agencies can escalate quickly from inquiry to preferral and referral of charges at a special or general court-martial.
Gonzalez & Waddington represents service members stationed in Jordan and throughout the Middle East who face felony-level military charges and career-threatening investigations. The firm focuses exclusively on military criminal defense and contested court-martial litigation. Their attorneys defend Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Space Force personnel accused of serious UCMJ violations. Early legal representation is critical to protect statements, preserve evidence, challenge weak allegations, and prevent investigators from controlling the narrative.
How a Military Defense Lawyer Handles Court-Martial Cases in Jordan
- Investigation control: managing interactions with CID, NCIS, OSI, CGIS, military police, and command investigators
- Statement protection: preventing damaging admissions during interviews and written statements
- Evidence preservation: securing digital communications, operational records, surveillance footage, and witness testimony
- Evidence analysis: identifying contradictions, investigative gaps, and unreliable assumptions
- Aggressive motions practice: challenging unlawful searches, improper interrogations, and unreliable evidence
- Trial preparation: developing cross-examination plans, defense themes, and litigation strategy
Common UCMJ Charges Prosecuted in Jordan Courts-Martial
Military personnel operating in Jordan frequently face allegations involving:
- Article 120 sexual assault and abusive sexual contact allegations
- Article 128 assault and domestic violence allegations
- Drug offenses and urinalysis cases
- Fraud, theft, and financial misconduct
- False official statements
- Orders violations and dereliction of duty
- Security violations and force protection offenses
- Computer and digital evidence investigations
- Classified information and operational security concerns
Jordan | U.S. Military Bases, Joint Operations, and Regional Security Missions
Why Jordan Matters to the U.S. Military
Jordan is one of America’s most important military partners in the Middle East. The country occupies a strategic location bordering Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the West Bank. U.S. military personnel stationed in Jordan support regional security, counterterrorism operations, intelligence cooperation, aviation operations, force protection missions, logistics operations, and multinational military exercises.
Jordan frequently serves as a platform for operations throughout the Middle East. U.S. forces stationed there often operate in joint and coalition environments where command oversight is extensive and allegations of misconduct may receive immediate command attention.
Key Facts About U.S. Military Operations in Jordan
- Jordan hosts thousands of U.S. military personnel on rotational deployments.
- The country supports regional security and counterterrorism missions.
- Jordan regularly hosts multinational military exercises.
- U.S. aviation operations are conducted from several Jordanian installations.
- American forces support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and force protection missions.
- Jordan serves as a major staging location for regional contingency operations.
Major U.S. Military Locations in Jordan
- Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Azraq Air Base)
- Tower 22
- King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC)
- Joint Training Centers and Coalition Facilities
- Forward Operating Locations Throughout Jordan
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base Military Defense Lawyers
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, often called Azraq Air Base, serves as one of the most important U.S. and coalition aviation locations in the Middle East. The installation supports fighter aircraft, intelligence operations, surveillance platforms, logistics aircraft, aerial refueling operations, and coalition military activity.
Cases arising from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base frequently involve:
- Aviation personnel
- Security forces personnel
- Intelligence professionals
- Maintenance personnel
- Contractors
- Coalition personnel
- Joint task force staff members
- Force protection units
Common allegations may include:
- Sexual assault allegations involving deployed personnel
- Alcohol-related misconduct
- Assault and altercation allegations
- False official statements
- Government property offenses
- Security violations
- Operational misconduct allegations
- Improper relationships
Tower 22 Military Defense Lawyers
Tower 22 is a strategically important U.S. military outpost located near the Jordan-Syria-Iraq border region. Personnel assigned to Tower 22 operate in a highly sensitive operational environment involving force protection, intelligence collection, and regional security missions.
Because of the isolated nature of the assignment, investigations may involve:
- Limited witness pools
- Operational security concerns
- Restricted access records
- Classified information issues
- Force protection reports
- Security camera footage
- Electronic access logs
- Mission planning records
Defense counsel often must address operational context that investigators fail to fully understand.
King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC)
KASOTC is internationally recognized as one of the premier special operations and tactical training facilities in the world. U.S. military personnel frequently participate in multinational exercises and advanced training programs at the facility.
Investigations arising from training environments may involve:
- Training accidents
- Use-of-force allegations
- Instructor-student interactions
- Operational planning disputes
- Equipment accountability issues
- Cross-cultural misunderstandings
- Multinational witness testimony
These cases often require extensive witness coordination across multiple commands and countries.
Jordan-Specific Military Justice Issues
Service members stationed in Jordan frequently face unique legal challenges not commonly encountered at stateside installations.
These issues may include:
- Allegations involving coalition partners
- Host-nation witness testimony
- Translation issues involving Arabic-language records
- Operational security concerns
- Sensitive intelligence-related evidence
- Cross-border mission records
- Contractor witness testimony
- Joint-force command structures
- Force protection investigations
- Regional deployment records
A military defense lawyer handling Jordan cases must understand how overseas investigations differ from traditional stateside military justice cases.
Sample Jordan Military Case Scenarios
The following examples are fictional and provided solely to illustrate common fact patterns that may arise in Jordan military justice cases.
- Azraq Article 120 Investigation: An Air Force staff sergeant stationed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base is accused of sexual assault after an off-duty gathering involving coalition personnel. The case depends heavily on text messages, witness credibility, security camera footage, and conflicting accounts.
- Tower 22 False Official Statement Case: A soldier assigned to Tower 22 is accused of making a false statement regarding a security incident near a restricted area. The defense discovers significant inconsistencies in witness recollections and operational reporting procedures.
- KASOTC Training Assault Allegation: A service member participating in multinational special operations training is accused of assault during a force-on-force exercise. Video evidence ultimately contradicts portions of the allegation.
- Operational Security Investigation: A service member posts photographs on social media from a Jordan deployment. Investigators allege OPSEC violations. The defense examines classification guidance, command policies, and prior authorization procedures.
- Government Travel Card Fraud Allegation: A deployed service member is accused of unauthorized expenses during travel between Amman and Azraq. The defense reviews mission orders, receipts, authorization emails, and travel documentation.
- Force Protection Incident: Following an altercation near a force protection checkpoint, a soldier is accused of assault and disobeying orders. Security footage and radio logs become central evidence.
- Contractor Complaint Investigation: A civilian contractor alleges misconduct by a service member working on a joint project. The case requires extensive review of emails, witness statements, and project records.
- Domestic Violence Allegation: A dual-military couple stationed in Jordan becomes involved in a dispute that results in command intervention and criminal allegations.
How Investigations Often Begin in Jordan
Jordan military investigations frequently begin through:
- Command reports
- CID investigations
- OSI investigations
- NCIS investigations
- Military police reports
- Security Forces reports
- Contractor complaints
- Coalition partner reports
- Host-nation witness allegations
- Digital evidence reviews
- Social media monitoring
- Force protection incident reports
Many service members do not realize they are under investigation until investigators request an interview or issue an Article 31 rights advisement.
Why Early Defense Action Matters in Jordan
Jordan cases often move quickly because of:
- Operational tempo
- Force protection concerns
- Regional security missions
- Joint command oversight
- Witness movement across countries
- Deployment rotations
- Digital evidence preservation concerns
Early defense intervention may help preserve favorable evidence before witnesses redeploy or leave the region.
Quick Answer: Jordan Military Defense Lawyers
Service members stationed in Jordan remain fully subject to the UCMJ. Common investigations involve Article 120 allegations, assault allegations, false statements, operational security issues, force protection incidents, fraud allegations, and deployment-related misconduct. Jordan cases frequently involve multinational witnesses, operational records, digital evidence, contractors, and host-nation personnel. Early legal representation can be critical in protecting rights and preserving evidence before the case progresses toward court-martial.
What to Know If military investigators Contacts You at Jordan
military investigators wants to talk to you. An interview request from military investigators (CID, OSI, NCIS or CGIS) at Jordan is evidence collection, not a chance to clear things up. Article 31(b) of the UCMJ requires investigators to tell you what you are suspected of and that you have the right to remain silent before they question you, and you can ask for a lawyer before answering anything. Exercising those rights cannot be used as evidence against you.
Being titled is not the same as being charged. Investigators can title a service member and index the name in the Defense Central Index of Investigations on only "credible information." The case may go nowhere, yet the entry can resurface years later in background investigations and clearance reviews, so how the investigation is handled from the start matters.
Your commander may not be the one deciding. Covered offenses such as sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, kidnapping, murder, child pornography and (since 2025) sexual harassment are now controlled by an independent Office of Special Trial Counsel, which decides whether charges are preferred and referred. Other allegations at Jordan still go through the chain of command.
Domestic violence allegations. Article 128b covers violence against a spouse, intimate partner or family member, and an allegation of strangulation or suffocation can be charged as aggravated assault even without a visible injury. A qualifying conviction can also trigger the federal firearms ban under the Lautenberg Amendment, which can end a career that requires carrying a weapon.
Drug and off-duty allegations overseas. Article 112a of the UCMJ applies to service members in Jordan whatever local law allows, and host-nation authorities may also have jurisdiction under the Status of Forces Agreement. A positive urinalysis can still be challenged on chain of custody, testing and innocent ingestion.
Pay and allowance allegations. BAH and other allowance cases are usually charged as larceny under Article 121 or as frauds against the United States under Article 124. An overpayment by itself is not a crime: the government must prove you intended to steal or defraud, and many of these cases begin as paperwork errors.
If you are under investigation at Jordan, talk to a military defense lawyer before you make any statement. Call Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607.
I was wrongly accused under articles 120, 128b, and 130, and the legal battle was an incredibly draining experience. Throughout the two-and-a-half-year ordeal, Michael and Alexandra displayed unmatched professionalism, deep legal expertise, and genuine care for my case.
Prior results and client testimonials do not guarantee a similar outcome, and you may not obtain the same or similar results. Every case is different. No client was paid for a review.
Jordan Military Defense FAQ
Can I hire a civilian military defense lawyer for a case in Jordan?
Do I have to answer questions from Army CID or Air Force OSI?
Can Jordan prosecute a U.S. service member?
Will my case be tried overseas or in the United States?
Can I turn down an Article 15?
What military bases are used by U.S. forces in Jordan?
Can CID investigate me while I am deployed?
Are Article 120 cases common in Jordan?
Should I talk to investigators if I know I am innocent?
Video transcript
Transcript of the video “Military Defense Lawyer in Jordan | Court-Martial & Article 120,” with Michael Waddington of Gonzalez & Waddington.
Read the full transcript of this video
My name is Michael Waddington, and I’m a criminal defense attorney. I have been aggressively defending military service members for over 20 years. If you or a loved one are stationed in Jordan and you’re suspected or accused of any crime under the UCMJ, such as an Article 120 sexual assault or sexual harassment, and your career’s in jeopardy, then reach out and speak with one of our experienced military lawyers today.
If you are accused of any serious offense under the UCMJ, such as a UCMJ Article 120 sexual assault, then you should be concerned. Right now, the military is waging a war on sexual assault. You can expect a zealous and determined prosecution team coming after you and trying to win their case. These elite military prosecution teams are well funded, well trained, and bound and determined to win convictions. They are on a mission to prove to Congress that the military does not tolerate any form of sexual assault, domestic violence, or sexual harassment. Military prosecutors will be relentless in seeking a conviction and serious jail time once they have you in their sights.
To make matters worse, under new laws that went into effect in December of 2023, the new military justice system is victim-centered. What that means to you, if you’re accused, is that if a person makes an allegation against you, they are believed from the start. They won’t probe the credibility of a person making an allegation. They won’t look for any evidence that could disprove the allegation. They’re taking anyone who claims to be a victim, and they’re taking their word for it.
That also means that people who have made false or exaggerated allegations will not be punished, even if their allegation is proven to be false. [Editor’s note: Making a false allegation can still be prosecuted, for example as a false official statement under Article 107, UCMJ, although those prosecutions are uncommon.] If anything, they may be allowed to retire and get military benefits for military sexual trauma, even if the allegation is proven false in court. You could expect to encounter law enforcement trained to start by believing. Therefore, you’re presumed to be guilty once the investigation has started, and the law enforcement and prosecutors will act accordingly. Yes, that cuts against your constitutional rights, and that cuts against what our country was founded upon and what we stand for, but that’s what you can expect in the military justice system in this new victim-centered approach.
The victim, even if the victim is a lying victim, plays a key role in determining what happens to you. What could end up happening is, in a case where there’s no evidence, or if you’re in fact innocent, the victim may still insist that you get some sort of punishment. Even if you’re innocent and there is no evidence, do not be surprised that you end up at a court-martial, an administrative separation board, or receiving some sort of negative paperwork, such as a letter of reprimand.
If you are under investigation for any crime under the UCMJ, then you need to stand up and take responsibility for your defense. Don’t become another statistic. Don’t play the victim. Don’t sit back hoping that someone comes to the rescue or that things are going to work out. It’s time to stand up, fight for your freedom, fight for your career, and fight for your reputation.
Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyers
This video explains what your rights are and how experienced criminal defense lawyers can make a difference.
Facing a military investigation, UCMJ allegation, or serious criminal charge? Gonzalez & Waddington provides trial-focused defense for high-stakes cases. Call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019 for a confidential, no-cost consultation.