Florida Command Investigation Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Representation for 15-6, JAGMAN, CDI, NCIS, OSI, CID & CGIS Investigations in Florida

Florida is one of the most active military justice regions in the United States. With major installations including NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport, NAS Pensacola, Whiting Field, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall AFB, Patrick Space Force Base, MacDill AFB, Homestead ARB, NSA Panama City, NAS Key West, and Coast Guard sectors in Miami, Jacksonville, Clearwater, and Key West, command investigations are launched daily across the state.

These investigations — whether an AR 15-6 (Army), JAGMAN (Navy/Marines), CDI (Air Force/Space Force), or Administrative Investigations (Coast Guard) — are often the first step in a much larger effort to punish, separate, or court-martial a service member.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law defends service members across Florida who are under command investigation. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and elite trial attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, we protect the rights, careers, and reputations of military members targeted in Florida command inquiries.

A command investigation is NOT “informal.” It is a loaded weapon pointed at your career.

➤ Request a Confidential Defense Strategy Session for Your Florida Command Investigation

What Is a Military Command Investigation?

A command investigation is a formal inquiry by your command to gather evidence and determine whether misconduct occurred. These investigations are NOT neutral — they exist to build a foundation for punishment.

Types of Command Investigations in Florida:

• AR 15-6 Investigation (Army)
• JAGMAN Investigation (Navy/Marine Corps)
• CDI – Commander Directed Investigation (Air Force & Space Force)
• Command-Directed Coast Guard Investigations
• NCIS, OSI, CID, CGIS Criminal Investigations triggered by command notification
• Safety investigations often used as pretext for misconduct inquiries
• IG Complaints that are converted into command investigations

Every Florida service member should assume that a command investigation is the beginning of an effort to issue an NJP, GOMOR/Page 11, administrative separation, or court-martial.

Why Florida Has a High Volume of Command Investigations

Florida is a perfect storm for command investigations because of:

• High alcohol environments in Jacksonville Beach, Pensacola Beach, Clearwater, Destin, Miami Beach, Orlando
• Tourist heavy regions leading to drunk or unreliable civilian reports
• Training commands (Pensacola, Whiting, NDSTC) with zero-tolerance policies
• High ops tempo for SOF, aviation, intel & Space Force units
• Frequent domestic disputes escalated by Florida police
• Political pressure on command to punish sexual assault & domestic violence aggressively
• Shipboard communities at Mayport & Key West that amplify rumors
• High visibility Coast Guard missions (migrant ops, LE, interdictions)

In Florida, most command investigations assume guilt from the beginning — especially in sex cases, domestic violence, and anything involving alcohol or civilians.

Most Common Reasons Florida Service Members Face Command Investigations

1. Sexual Assault Allegations (Article 120)

• Accusers heavily intoxicated on beaches or nightlife districts
• Civilian tourists claiming misconduct after regretted encounters
• Accusers making statements days later influenced by friends or alcohol fog

2. Domestic Violence Allegations (Article 128b)

• Florida’s mandatory arrest policies fuel false accusations
• Emotional partners exaggerate or fabricate events

3. Alcohol-Related Misconduct

• Fights at bars or beaches
• Disorderly conduct arrests
• Liberty port incidents

4. Training Incidents & Safety Violations

• Pensacola flight school issues
• NDSTC diving incidents
• Range safety conflicts at Eglin

5. Professional Misconduct

• Fraternization
• Harassment or “poor judgment” allegations
• Improper leadership complaints

6. Financial Misconduct

• BAH disputes
• Travel voucher issues

The Biggest Threat: Florida Command Investigators Decide Guilt BEFORE They Investigate

Across Florida bases, command-directed investigations often begin with one assumption:

“If there’s an allegation, the service member probably did it.”

This bias drives investigators to:

• Cherry-pick evidence
• Ignore exculpatory facts
• Pressure witnesses
• Lead interviews toward a predetermined conclusion
• Take civilian reports at face value
• Overlook intoxication, lying, or motives for revenge

A command investigation is NOT about finding truth. It is about creating a story that justifies punishment.

Never Participate in a Florida Command Investigation Without a Lawyer

Most service members make fatal mistakes during command investigations because they believe the process is “informal.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fatal Mistakes Florida Service Members Make:

• Submitting written statements without counsel
• Agreeing to interviews they think will “clear things up”
• Giving access to digital devices
• Talking to “friendly” investigators or chiefs
• Confiding in coworkers who later become witnesses
• Apologizing for things they did not do

Command investigations are traps — and statements WILL be used against you later in NJP, separation boards, or court-martial.

The Relationship Between Command Investigations & Criminal Investigations

At Florida bases, command investigations often trigger parallel criminal investigations by:

• NCIS (Navy/Marines)
• OSI (Air Force/Space Force)
• CID (Army)
• CGIS (Coast Guard)

How It Works in Florida:

• A civilian makes an accusation → command notifies NCIS/OSI/CID/CGIS
• A bar incident leads to Florida police involvement → command launches 15-6/CDI/JAGMAN
• A rumor circulates in the barracks → command escalates to NCIS/OSI
• An anonymous complaint is made → command opens an inquiry

How We Defend Florida Command Investigations

Our firm is known for dismantling biased and sloppy command investigations. We fight strategically, aggressively, and with full understanding of Florida’s military climate.

Our Defense Strategy Includes:

• Advising you on whether to remain silent (usually YES)
• Drafting responses that expose command assumptions and flaws
• Collecting digital evidence the command ignored
• Gathering witness statements the command never sought
• Exposing inconsistencies in the accuser’s versions
• Correcting false narratives placed in command reports
• Stopping command overreach and unlawful actions
• Preparing for follow-on actions (NJP, separation, court-martial)

Our mission: destroy the foundation of the command’s case before it becomes something bigger.

Florida Bases Where We Defend Command Investigations

• NAS Jacksonville
• NS Mayport
• NAS Pensacola
• NAS Whiting Field
• NAS Key West
• NSA Panama City / NDSTC
• Eglin AFB
• Hurlburt Field
• Tyndall AFB
• Patrick Space Force Base
• MacDill AFB (CENTCOM, SOCOM)
• Homestead ARB
• USCG Sector Miami
• USCG Sector Jacksonville
• USCG Sector Key West
• AIRSTA Clearwater

Pro Tips for Florida Service Members Under Command Investigation

• Do NOT give any statements.
• Do NOT provide documents or digital devices.
• Do NOT attempt to “explain things.”
• Do NOT talk to coworkers about the investigation.
• Gather texts, screenshots, videos, and witnesses.
• Avoid all nightlife & social media.
• Hire civilian counsel early.

Your career, reputation, and future depend on what you do right now.

➤ Protect Yourself – Get Florida Command Investigation Defense

Florida Command Investigation Defense – Frequently Asked Questions