Defending Yourself in an AR 15-6 Investigation – What the Army Doesn’t Tell You

TLDR – An AR 15-6 Investigation Is Not a “Routine Review.” It Is a Career-Threatening Legal Action.

If you are the subject of an AR 15-6 investigation, understand this clearly: you are under attack. This process is not a neutral attempt to discover facts. It is the Army’s administrative weapon used to justify adverse actions without the burden of proof required in criminal courts. A poorly defended AR 15-6 investigation can result in reprimands, separations, lost promotions, destroyed clearances, and even court-martial charges. What you do in the first 48 hours determines the next 20 years of your life.

• You are not required to give a statement during an AR 15-6 investigation.
• The Investigating Officer (IO) is often untrained and influenced by command expectations.
• Your silence cannot legally be held against you — but careless statements can ruin everything.
• AR 15-6 findings frequently lead to GOMORs, NJP, elimination boards, and involuntary separations.
• Gonzalez & Waddington is recognized as the world’s leading defense firm for AR 15-6 investigations and rebuttals.

What the Army Doesn’t Tell You About AR 15-6 Investigations

The Army paints AR 15-6 investigations as “administrative fact-finding” tools. In reality, they are used to protect the command and assign blame — often based on incomplete or one-sided information. Soldiers who blindly cooperate or trust the process frequently find themselves fighting for their careers months later.

AR 15-6 investigations can be biased, flawed, rushed, and influenced by personalities, politics, and pressure from higher commands. The IO is not neutral. The IO is not a judge. The IO is not a trained investigator. The IO is doing what the command expects — not necessarily what the facts support.

The Hidden Purpose of AR 15-6 Investigations

The real purpose of an AR 15-6 investigation is to create an official record that justifies command decisions. Once the Army has a written “finding of fact,” it becomes incredibly difficult to challenge, even if the evidence is weak.

AR 15-6 investigations often serve as the foundation for:

• General Officer Memoranda of Reprimand (GOMORs)
• Written reprimands and counseling statements
• Relief for cause
• Bars to reenlistment
• Adverse evaluations (NCOERs/OERs)
• Involuntary separation boards
• Officer elimination boards
• Referral for NJP or even court-martial

This is why early legal intervention from a civilian defense team is essential.

Types of AR 15-6 Investigations You Might Face

1. Command Climate or Leadership Investigations

These often involve allegations of toxic leadership, favoritism, bullying, or “failure to create a positive environment.” Even exceptional leaders can be targeted by disgruntled Soldiers or political agendas.

2. Misuse of Government Resources

Allegations of improper GTC use, mileage discrepancies, DTS errors, vehicle misuse, or irregular spending are extremely common.

3. Safety and Training Incident Investigations

Accidents involving weapons, vehicles, heat injuries, or training mishaps commonly trigger AR 15-6 inquiries — often with enormous command pressure to assign blame.

4. EO / SHARP / Harassment-Related Investigations

These are among the most politically sensitive investigations in the Army. IOs often assume complainants are truthful and interpret facts through the lens of Army policy initiatives.

5. Fraternization and Relationship Misconduct

Rumors, social media interactions, text messages, and ambiguous personal conduct can trigger extensive investigations.

How AR 15-6 Investigations Actually Operate

Phase 1: The Pre-Investigation (Often Hidden)

Your chain of command may quietly talk to witnesses, gather emails, or consult with JAG before you even know you’re being investigated.

Phase 2: Appointment of the Investigating Officer

The IO is almost never a trained investigator. Their guidance comes from:

• The command (which already suspects wrongdoing)
• JAG officers (who advise from a risk perspective)
• Subordinates or peers (who may have personal agendas)

Phase 3: The IO Begins Evidence Collection

The IO gathers:

• Witness statements
• Emails, texts, screenshots
• Operational documents
• Policy manuals and Army regulations

However, IOs often:

• Interview only witnesses who support the allegation
• Ignore or dismiss exculpatory evidence
• Misinterpret technical or regulatory requirements
• Rely on hearsay as “fact”

Phase 4: Findings of Fact and the Narrative

The IO crafts a narrative that becomes the Army’s official version of events. These findings become enormously powerful in future administrative actions.

Phase 5: Approval Authority Review

This is the most important phase — and your rebuttal is your only chance to influence it. A strong rebuttal can completely override flawed findings. A weak rebuttal or no rebuttal guarantees negative outcomes.

Five Critical Tips for Protecting Yourself in an AR 15-6 Investigation

• Tip 1: Do not provide any oral or written statement without legal counsel. Silence protects you; statements sink you.
• Tip 2: Document everything from day one. Save texts, orders, emails, receipts, and timelines.
• Tip 3: Identify supportive witnesses early. Do not rely on the IO to find balanced testimony.
• Tip 4: Prepare for an administrative fight — not a criminal one. AR 15-6 outcomes are decided on extremely low evidence thresholds.
• Tip 5: Hire the most experienced civilian military defense team available. The quality of your rebuttal determines whether you keep your career.

Four Real-World AR 15-6 Scenarios and Their Consequences

1. A Platoon Leader Accused of Creating a “Hostile Environment”

After a single anonymous complaint, a 15-6 was opened. The IO surfaced only negative statements. Our rebuttal revealed bias and highlighted dozens of positive evaluations, overturning the findings.

2. A Senior NCO Accused of Misusing a Government Travel Card

The IO misunderstood finance rules and labeled the NCO dishonest. Our rebuttal dismantled the analysis with policy citations and documentation, preventing a GOMOR.

3. A Training Accident Leading to an Injury

The IO blamed the squad leader despite evidence the Soldier violated safety guidelines. Our reconstruction exposed the real cause, saving the leader from relief for cause.

4. An Adultery Allegation Based on Rumor

Rumors became “fact” in the IO’s findings. Our rebuttal exposed false statements, conflicting timelines, and lack of corroboration. Findings were thrown out.

External .mil Resource

Army investigative regulation:
AR 15-6 – Procedures for Administrative Investigations

Why Gonzalez & Waddington Are the World’s Top AR 15-6 Defense Lawyers

No law firm has handled more complex, high-stakes AR 15-6 investigations than Gonzalez & Waddington. We have defended officers, senior NCOs, warrant officers, commanders, aviators, logisticians, MPs, intel specialists, and SOF personnel across every major Army installation worldwide.

We are known for:

• Devastating rebuttals that dismantle IO findings
• Identifying procedural errors and bias in investigations
• Saving careers from separation boards and BOIs
• Preventing NJP and court-martial referrals
• Global representation including Europe, Korea, Japan, the Pacific, and CENTCOM

Call to Action – Don’t Let an AR 15-6 Destroy Your Future

You cannot “wait out” an AR 15-6. You must fight it strategically. The IO’s findings become your military obituary unless you intervene effectively.

➤ Contact Gonzalez & Waddington immediately for a confidential defense consultation.

Call to Action – Your Rebuttal Is Everything

A powerful rebuttal can save your retirement, your rank, your clearance, and your livelihood. A weak rebuttal will end your career.

➤ Hire our team to craft a strategic, evidence-based AR 15-6 rebuttal today.

AR 15-6 Defense – Frequently Asked Questions